Did you know that you can increase your home’s value by installing window treatments? Putting blinds to your windows can give them an instant facelift and improve the overall look. They’re a budget-friendly and solid investment that is a quick remodel that involves minimal installation.
If you’ve been considering adding blinds to your windows, now is the perfect time to try them. Are you confused about which type of window blinds are suitable for your home? Read our window blind guide to learn how to choose the best type of blinds for your home.
What Are Blinds?
First things first: don’t confuse blinds with shades! While shades are usually made from one piece of material that pulls down, blinds are composed of individual slats that move up or down to regulate the flow of light into a room. Blinds can come in a number of different materials and styles, but most have two cords on either side to adjust the height and tilt of the slats.
How to Choose Materials for Blinds
The first step in picking blinds is to choose the best material for your home. Blinds come in wood, faux wood, paper, metal, plastic, and natural or synthetic fabric. You’ll want to consider how much light each material lets in, plus how much noise it makes and how it wears over time.
If you live in a location that is very sunny, the exposure to the sun will fade fabric versions in time. Wood is not an optimum choice for very humid areas, since the wood will crack and warp. But if you have your heart set on the look of wood, a faux wood version could be a better option.
Plastic is a budget-friendly option for areas with a lot of moisture, especially bathrooms. The same goes for metal blinds, though they create more noise than plastic blinds.
Eco-friendly Options
If you are concerned about the environment, you might want to research types of window blinds that are not harmful to the planet. Opt for sustainable choices like organic bamboo, wood, and fabric that are biodegradable or can be recycled at the end of their lives. Choosing the right material for your home is key, too, because the right blind can improve your home’s energy efficiency by helping retain heating or cooling energy.
Which Type of Blinds Is Best?
There are so many different styles of blinds out there today, but the top ones are vertical Venetian and panels. Vertical blinds are long strips that hang up and down, rather than horizontally. Panel blinds move on a track, making them easy to adjust.
Venetian blinds are the most common, and they hang in slats that are attached and fit into each other as they are raised. They come in micro or mini blind versions that have smaller slats than full-size Venetian blinds.
Plantation Shutters
While Plantain shutters are technically not blinds but shutters, it does have blinds incorporated into its structure of the shutter. This is a great option for homeowners that want the durability and movement of a shutter, as well as the function of a blind. They come in wood and faux wood versions and are a striking addition to any home.
Manual or Automatic Blinds
Another point to consider is whether or not you prefer manual or automatic blinds. Manual blinds are the most popular, and then can be raised, lowered, and tilted by pulling on one of the two cords attached to them. But thanks to modern technology, there are now automatic blinds that have a motor and can be manipulated by remote control.
Privacy and Soundproof Blinds
If your home is in a high-traffic area, you might want to think about investing in privacy and soundproof blinds. Privacy blinds are made of thick materials that block out the interior completely. And soundproof blinds can make your home a quieter place by being a buffer against outdoor noise.
Outdoor Blinds
Don’t let your windows get all of the attention! There are outdoor versions of blinds that can be installed on a patio, pergola, and other structures. These can provide ample shade to make your yard a more comfortable place to enjoy spending time in the fresh air.
Ready-Made or Custom Blinds
The final step in your process is to decide whether you are going to go with custom or ready-made blinds. Ready-made blinds are available in big box and hardware stores and could be an easy match if you have windows that are a standard size. If you need to go custom, find a quality company that offers not only blinds but also window coverings, window tinting, roller shades, and more like LC Custom Interiors in the Pacific Northwest.
If you purchase blinds from a store, you will most likely end up having to install them yourself. If you are comfortable with DIY, this could help you save money. But if you purchase them from a window treatment company, it could save you time since the installation is usually included.
Ready to Find the Perfect Blinds?
Now that you’ve learned about the best type of blinds for your home, you can make an informed decision. Blinds come in materials like wood, fabric, plastic, and metal, and it’s important to choose the best material not just for your budget, but the requirements of your home and climate, too. Finally, you can do a DIY installation, or go with a company that can take care of it for you.
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