Experienced interior designers will tell you that window blinds provide a quick and easy way to transform a room. Yet, you may wonder if blinds offer any specific advantages over other types of window coverings, such as curtains or shades. For many homeowners, the answer is definitely yes. Here are just a few of the many benefits of window blinds that may convince you that they’re the right choice for your home.
Better Control of Light and Heat
Whether you prefer full morning sun, filtered light or complete darkness, blinds enable you to control the brightness in a room. This makes them an ideal option for bedrooms, home theaters and home offices. During the summer months, blinds also can be beneficial in blocking heat and UV rays from entering through windows. This can help keep you cooler, while protecting carpets, furniture and household surfaces from fading.
Enhanced Privacy
The advantages of blinds also include delivering a heightened level of privacy that can’t be achieved with many other window covering options. Because blinds can be completely closed, they can make it more difficult for burglars to peek through windows. For maximum privacy, you may want to consider top-down blinds that can be opened and closed both at the top, near the top of the window frame, and at the bottom, near the windowsill. This type of blind is perfect for a bathroom because it lets light enter from outside while maintaining your privacy.
Wide Choice of Styles, Colors and Materials
Regardless of the design of your room, you will have plenty of options when it comes to blinds, in terms of both style and price. Vertical blinds are ideal for large windows and sliding glass doors, while mini-blinds and Roman blinds are perfect for picture windows. Cordless blinds are a safe and smart choice in homes with children and pets.
As for materials, wood blinds can provide a luxurious look that fits with traditional furnishings and hardwood floors. Other cost-saving options include plastic, bamboo, vinyl and even aluminum. You’ll also have a wide range of choices for colors and widths of slats.
Easy Maintenance
One the many advantages of blinds is that they’re extremely easy to keep clean. You’ll likely find that an occasional dusting or a wipe with a damp cloth is sufficient to keep them looking like new for many years. Curtains, on the other hand, require washing or dry cleaning, as well as rehanging. For households with allergy sufferers, blinds are particularly beneficial, since dust and dirt can be easily removed to minimize symptom-causing allergens.
Ease of Installation
If you’re looking for a quick solution for your window coverings, you may want to choose blinds. A professional installer can typically install brackets into a window frame, mount a blind and attach the components in a matter of minutes. Compare this to custom curtains, which can take significantly longer to both make and hang. Even store-bought curtains require skilled installation to level brackets, slide panels on the rod, hang and secure in place.
Option to Layer Window Treatments
So, you want the benefits of window blinds but also like the look of curtains? Don’t be afraid to pair the two window treatments together to maximize your design options, provide light control and enhance privacy. If you’re considering this hybrid look, it’s a good idea to decide on the type of blind you want first. Roller blinds and Venetian blinds often pair well with curtains. For a stylish look, consider a muted shade for your blinds and an accent color for your curtains. If bright colors aren’t your thing, you may want to layer white on cream or beige to create a subtle but crisp look that will work in nearly any room.
How to Maximize the Benefits of Window Blinds
Regardless of the window treatment design you envision for your home, you’ll want to consider your window shapes and sizes, how you use rooms and the amount of sunlight you want to let in or keep out. To explore your options for replacement windows, contact Thompson Creek today.