Window Coverings – For days When You Just Need to Cover Up

Gone are the days when curtains and drapes were the only way to produce the well needed privacy within your house. Nowadays, consumers are bombarded with many choices for them to have better control over their privacy and light entry. Let’s take a quick look at what is in store for those of you who are looking for window coverings.

Amongst the many different types of window coverings, two of the most expensive types would be curtains (or drapes) and wooden shutters. Curtains and drapes give occupants full privacy from prying eyes but pose an all-or-nothing option when it comes to light admission. They are also more cumbersome and harder to clean. Nevertheless, curtains are the best choice when it comes to personalization and pattern versatility. Shutters on the other hand are more rigid but durable compared to curtains. Divided into exterior and interior shutters, these window coverings have slats that can be tilted to admit more light or tilted close for full privacy. Those that are made of wood also provide thermal insulation that help regulate indoor temperatures.

Starting with the basics, blinds and shades are used to block, let in and generally control natural sunlight. Some of these window covering types are aimed at reducing glare while others are more specifically inclined to diffuse entering light without fully blocking it. Blinds are made from many different resources, from wood to polymer, from fabric to metal; each with its own characteristics and advantages. Wood blinds are generally the most expensive because of the high-grade wood used and the extended durability it has to offer. However for protection against moisture, these wood blinds have to be finished or coated with protective layers of paint. If that is not your cup of tea, you can opt for other window coverings such as metal blinds made from aluminum or even faux wood blinds that are made from stable co-polymers. The former is sturdier and has higher resistance towards natural elements. Meanwhile, the co-polymer blinds have higher moisture protection. This makes it ideal for use in the kitchen or bathrooms where humidity is of main concern.

In addition to that, blinds are also made from fabrics of various levels of opacity: sheer, semi-opaque and opaque. As window coverings, fabrics have the advantage of providing a softer feel to the atmosphere. Fabric blinds can also display a greater variety of styles, patterns, textures and colors. Some fabric blinds can also be inserted into crystal clear louvers, especially if customers prefer rigidity of wood and metal blinds. Due to the flexibility of fabrics, there are many different kinds of designs for shades such as cellular shades, honeycomb shades and pleated shades. Cellular and honeycomb shades double as thermal insulators by trapping air in their cell-like features and utilizing the air to regulate indoor temperatures. The transparencies of fabric blinds depend mainly on the opacity of the fabrics used. Another type of fabric blinds is the Roman shade which is essentially made from curtain fabrics. Roman shades are made in single pieces so they are either rolled up or folded in when occupants want the window opened. Apart from fabrics, Roman shades can also be made in woven wood which includes various natural resources like rattan, reeds, jutes and bamboo. These give an oriental feel to the interior décor.