For those unsure of what to look for in new window treatments, the following list breaks down the advantages and disadvantages of top selling blinds:
- Faux wood blinds are inexpensive, offering a real wood look at a fraction of the cost. They resist moisture and are easy to clean. The suit kitchens and bathrooms well. The composite materials make them durable, which is great for homes with children and pets. The disadvantages include the weight of the blinds. Larger blinds are harder to lift. Faux wood blinds come in a limited color selection.
- Wood blinds come with real wood stains, allowing for more color options. They are lighter than faux wood blinds and cheaper than shutters. The only disadvantage is the larger stack height, which may block views when raised.
- Honeycomb Cell Shades provide excellent insulation and are great for energy savings. They have a small stack height when raised to allow unobstructed views. There is a wide color selection to choose from. They offer a modern look, which can be a disadvantage to those looking for a more traditional window treatment.
- Vertical Blinds are the best option for larger, hard to cover windows. They are economical and easy to clean. Again, these window treatments offer a more contemporary look to a home.
- Aluminum Mini Blinds are some of the cheapest blinds on the market. The lightweight quality makes them easy to operate by almost anyone. They come in a wide range of colors to add a touch of color, or maintain a neutral feel in a room. One of the disadvantages is that they provide poor insulation. Another downside is the aluminum slats can bend, so these blinds are not ideal for areas heavily trafficked by kids and pets.
- Roman Shades are both stylish and versatile. They come in a wide color selection and offer class to any room. Roman shades are good insulators and versions that pair roman shades with honeycomb cell shades offer some of the best insulation on the market. The only disadvantage is they must be fully raised for a complete view.
- Roller Shades These shades block UV light as well as cutting glare from the sun and acting as an insulator against the heat. They come with a wide color selection and have a small stack height when raised to allow for an unobstructed view. The disadvantages are they are not great insulators in cold climates and they must be fully raised for a complete view. However, some roller shades and solar screen shades allow view-through options, meaning the weave still allows for a partial view when lowered.
It can be confusing to even know where to start if you don’t know what each type of blind offers. This list is a starting point for shoppers. If you have an idea of which type of window treatment might work best for you, order a few samples so you can see the materials and colors for a perfect fit.
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Measuring for French door blinds and shades is slightly different from measuring a standard window because the treatment is mounted directly to the face of the door. You need enough overlap around the glass for privacy and light control while also making sure the blind or shade does not interfere with the door handle, locks, trim or other hardware.
... moreMeasuring blinds or shades for two windows that meet in a corner requires a little more planning than measuring a standard window. If both treatments are made to extend all the way into the same corner, the headrails, rollers or shade fabric can interfere with each other.
... moreTile, decorative molding or other trim at the bottom of a window can make an inside-mount blind or shade more difficult to measure. The top of the window opening may be wide enough for a normal shade, while the bottom becomes narrower where the tile or molding projects into the opening.
... moreMeasuring vertical blinds for a sliding glass door involves more than measuring the glass. You also need to consider the door trim or molding, where the headrail will actually be mounted, how much space the vertical blind will occupy when it is fully open, and whether door handles, walls, cabinets or other obstructions will interfere with the treatment.
... moreAngled top windows, sometimes called triangular or sloped-top windows, can be difficult to cover with a standard rectangular blind or shade because the top of the opening is not level. One practical solution is to mount a standard blind or shade at the point where the angle begins and leave the triangular portion above uncovered.
... moreWhen installing horizontal window blinds, the same process can be used when installing all types of horizontal blinds. This page will cover basic installation of our 2 and 2 1/2" blinds.... more
Below is a list of parts that are used when installing horizontal blinds. Note: You may not receive all the parts listed. You may also receive additional parts that are not needed. We will only send you the horizontal blinds parts for your particular application.... more
1/2 inch micro and 1 or 2 inch aluminum mini blinds installation instructions. This page explains basic installation for aluminum blinds which is similar to installing horizontal wood blinds. Here are some simple steps for installing mini blinds.... more
To install vertical window blinds, please read completely the instructions below before beginning the installation process.... more
Below is a list of parts that are used when installing vertical blinds. Note: You may not receive all the vertical blinds parts listed. We will send you the parts you need to install your vertical blinds.... more
