Blinds vs. Shades: Which One Is Right For Your Home?
Window blinds and shades come in a number of styles, so no matter which one you choose, you'll always have a lot of options to choose from. Understanding the difference between blinds and shades and the advantages of each will help make your decision much easier to make and give your home exactly what it needs. The experts at Orlando Shutters and Blinds Inc can help you decide on which window treatments would be best for any part of your home during a free consultation. But first, let's go into the differences between blinds and shades.
Blinds are window treatments made out of a series of slats or panels and are typically made of wood, aluminum, vinyl, or a composite. They can be vertical or horizontal depending on one's taste. Window shades are typically made of fabrics, vinyl, or woven wood. They can be pulled up or rolled down, but the amount of light they let in cannot be adjusted otherwise. Shades can also have customized opacities, so whether you're looking for something that lets a little light in or blacks out the room entirely, you've got options.
When you're deciding on which of these two is right for your Orlando home, there are a few things that you'll need to consider:
Architectural Details
If you have big, bold architectural elements in your home like a bay window, for instance, you may want to choose blinds, which can complement architecture that has a more classic feel. The clean, horizontal lines can accentuate the contemporary and sophisticated look of some interiors. You should also consider your room's interior decoration style. You should try to create a balance between the interior design of the room and your window treatments. For instance, if your room has tile flooring and hardwood furniture, the softness of roman shades can help make the room feel comfortable.
Climate & Natural Light
One of the most important things to consider when you're deciding between window treatments is how they can affect your home's energy efficiency. In Orlando, your main energy efficiency concern is keeping your home cool, and that's certainly something that your window treatments can help out with.
If you have windows that face west or south, they'll receive a good amount of warm light, so it's important to make sure that they're able to have extra protection. UV shades may be your best option in these parts of your home to keep your home cool. UV light damage can also fade or darken hardwood floors or furniture, and these shades will protect against that as well.
Privacy & Light Control
Think as well about how you'll use the room your custom window treatments are going into. Bedrooms and bathrooms need treatments that can provide full privacy. Rooms in which you'll watch TV or work at a computer will need window coverings that give you full control of the light that's let in. If you use shades in either of these two parts of your home, you may have problems with both light control and privacy. Shades can have any opacity you want, so they can let any amount of light in when they're closed. You won't have the same amount of control over light or privacy that you'd get with blinds.
Our professionals at Orlando Shutters and Blinds Inc offer free in-home consultations to help you decide on which window treatments and which specific models would be best for your home. Call us today, and we'll be looking forward to working with you to find the perfect window treatments for your home.