Window treatments are functional and decorative ways to maintain privacy and insulate your home. There are several types of window treatments like valances, curtains, blinds, shades, shutter and hardware accessories. Blinds are among the most popular window coverings because they look great and are functional as well. There are various styles of blinds based on their design, textile or material, mechanism and features.
Every home has specific needs for privacy, temperature control and noise reduction. This post is an ultimate guide on different types of blinds that are available and how you can determine the best choice for your home or office.
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Features to Consider
When looking at any blinds, consider their material, intended use, maintenance, cost and design. Choose the style that is best suited for your home after considering these basic features.
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The Window Styles
Windows come in different builds like sliding glass panes to panels that open inside. The blind style you choose will be influenced by the window structure. A blind design that fits well with your window is the best match. Blinds, in general, have a horizontal construction but there are vertical blinds as well. Vertical blinds look very sophisticated and are highly functional. The only drawback is they do not suit windows with an inside opening and closure.
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Their Purpose
Are you using the blinds for maintaining privacy or light control? The reason for installing blinds determine the style of blinds that would be best suited for your home. Fabric blinds are best suited for bedrooms. While metal blinds or water-resistant faux wood blinds suit humid rooms like the bathroom.
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The Material
Blinds are generally made from wood, fabric, plastic and metal. Consider the room, its light exposure, general temperature, traffic and its purpose when you determine the material needed. To control the amount of light within the room, blinds with slats are a good choice. For noise reduction, fabric blinds will work well. Get utmost privacy with blackout blinds. Also, the ease of maintenance of a material should be considered to minimize cleaning hassles on the long run.
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Colour and Aesthetics
This is an important factor to consider so that the blinds match your home décor well. Consider the wall colour, the room décor, the overall colour palette of the room including the furniture and accessories to find the best match. Wood and metal blinds have a neutral colour that blends well with most colour palettes.
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Different Types of Blinds
There are different categories of blinds depending on the mechanism, material, structure and characteristics. All have certain pros and cons associated with them. Consider and compare these factors to decide which will be the best match for your home.
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Vertical blinds have vertical slats that run along a track. They are very popular choice for patio windows and floor to ceiling windows. But they should be a perfect fit for the window to operate smoothly.
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Venetian / horizontal blinds are made of horizontal slats which are held together with strings or strips of cloth. They have a drawstring mechanism to raise and control the tilt of the slats.
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Panel blinds have large sections which move along a track. They are suitable as a patio door covering and for very large windows.
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Solar blinds are used for reducing the amount of sunlight and glare within a room. They also filter UV rays and the mechanism is similar to roller shades.
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Smart blinds or motorised blinds can be programmed to open and close for a certain time duration during the day. It is a smart home technology, energy efficient and visually attractive making it a popular choice.
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Blind Materials
Besides the different types of blinds to choose from, one has to consider the material as well while buying blinds. Depending on the room décor and your personal preferences, the material should be chosen.
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Wood blinds are crafted from slats of hardwood or basswood. They have a classic look which imparts a natural touch to your décor. They are available in different stains, texture and colours. Wood is suitable for most rooms except those with high humidity and moisture level. However, wood is a natural material that expands and contracts in extreme temperature and is susceptible to warping, splitting and cracking over time.
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Metal blinds are easy to clean, durable and universally complements any interior space. They look similar to plastic blinds but have a variety of finishes. They are moisture resistant which makes them suitable for bathrooms and other humid areas. They are available in varied gauge and slats with smaller gauges being more durable. However, they are noisy which is a problem for some buyers.
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Faux wood blinds look like wood but are made of synthetic elements that are water and moisture resistant. It is an economical option in humid regions. They are also suitable for bathrooms given their durability. Faux wood is a very popular choice for blinds in many Canadian homes.
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Plastic blinds are the cheapest material, yet very versatile. They are available in different colours and sizes. However, they do not look as good or luxurious as wood and other expensive materials. They are not as durable and can show damage in a few years.
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Natural fabric is a popular choice for blinds like roller, roman and tie-up blinds. Cotton, seagrass and jute are common natural fabrics available. They are durable and relatively easy to clean. However, they fade and get damaged from UV rays over time.
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Synthetic fabric is cheaper compared to natural fabric but is processed to have certain advantages. If you want fabric blinds with features like high resistance to fading, synthetic is a good choice. Like natural fabric, it is durable and easy to clean.
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Production Method
Blinds can be ready-made or custom made. While ready made blinds are good enough, you have to know the exact measurement of the windows first to shop for them. Custom made blinds fit best but are costlier.
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Ready-Made
They are made in the most popular sizes for average windows. They can be adjusted to provide a more customised fit, but the flexibility is limited. Such blinds can be installed the same day they are purchased. They are available in varied styles and textures but may not fit as well unless they perfectly match your window dimensions.
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Custom Made
These are made to order blinds which will be custom made for you by the manufacturer. Choose the colour, material, hardware and finish, and the manufacturer will create it for you. These are the best choice for homes with unusually shaped windows. Depending on the customisation required, it can take a week or more to get the blinds ready and delivered to your home. Custom made blinds will be installed by trained professionals sent by the manufacturers.
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Mechanism
The blinds can be manually operated or automatic. Many people opt for smart home technologies these days, making automatic blinds a popular choice. Manually operated blinds are more traditional and have an old-world charm and are a budget-friendly investment.
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Manual Operation
The slats are lowered and raised using cords which are attached to it. The cords are located at the side of the blinds which have to be pulled to control the orientation of the slats and raise or move them.
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Automatic Operation
There is a hidden motor installed within the blinds and it can be adjusted with a remote control. You can even program the time duration during which the blinds will be raised or lowered every day.
Conclusion
There are different factors which together determine your choice of window dressing for your home. This is a fairly long-term investment and hence should be deliberated upon carefully. Everyone has their list of requirements and depending on that you must make the choice for your home. It can be concluded that the blinds are an important window treatment that adds to the aesthetics of the room while managing the light control and privacy as well. If you have a fair idea about the different factors to be considered, you can buy the best blinds suitable for your home.
