Window blinds are an integral part of any home, but there are so many options available that it can be overwhelming. If you’re looking to add a touch of style, you’ve come to the right place! There are different types of window shades like: awnings, Roman shades, valances, draperies, and many more. The window treatment you choose determines the design and function, so let’s take a closer look at the different features and benefits:
When you have a big window in your house, it is easy to get distracted by the lights and the outside world. But there is nothing wrong with being distracted once in a while thanks to some great window shades.
Modern window treatments are available in a wide range of materials, from high tech fabrics that can be rolled up and stored away to traditional drapery, to hefty blackout shades. But which type of window treatment should you buy? Here’s a breakdown of some of the more common types.
Take notice of the finest kinds of window shades with design elements we’ve selected, such as the many forms of shades, as well as how to measure and purchase for your home.
There are three major types of window treatments and coverings:
Shades, blinds, and shutters are examples of hard window treatments, which are composed of hard materials such as wood, fake wood, composite wood, aluminum, or vinyl. Soft window coverings, on the other hand, include different kinds of curtains, sheers, drapes, swags, valances, and draperies made of soft materials.
Meanwhile, a layered window treatment, which combines both “hard” and “soft,” is the third type.
When choosing window coverings and the impact they will have on your room, there are many things to consider: degree of privacy, quantity of light, temperature management, and décor.
In this post, we’ll walk you through the process of selecting the appropriate window shades, which are presently trendy and come in a variety of materials ranging from light-filtering to impenetrable.
Shades, on the other hand, are practical and flexible, with a wide range of hues ranging from textured materials in solid colors and mixes to geometric and floral designs.
Window Shades of Various Types
Shades that roll up
Roller shades, also known as roll-up shades or roller blinds, are a versatile, convenient, and inexpensive window treatment that may be used in virtually any space.
They’re made out of a rectangular piece of cloth rolled up at the top of the window, connected to a wooden or metal tube, and held in place by two brackets.
It helps to reduce light and offers seclusion in your house when unrolled or stretched.
Shades that are layered
The design of layered shades is similar to that of roller shades. It features two closely linked layers of fabric mixed with tightly woven bands of sheer stripes and solid color materials, which makes it distinctive and more fashionable than the latter.
These layered blinds may be motorized and come in light filtering or room darkening materials. When open, the horizontal transparent fabric filters light and protects the room from the sun’s harmful UV rays, while the strong, broad color stripes provide a distinctive style of seclusion and design.
When partly raised or lowered, these stripes regulate the quantity of incoming light and the view through.
Shades of cellular
Because cellular shades have a unique honeycomb structure that optimizes energy efficiency and regulates the temperature in your house, they are the greatest in their capacity to enhance insulation. Furthermore, cellular shades’ composition provides light-filtering characteristics as well as various degrees of light control, ranging from light to blackout.
Meanwhile, the honeycomb cell patterns in the shades are intended to capture trapped air and form a barrier between the window surface and the room, keeping your interiors pleasant all year. During the winter, it lets natural light in while keeping the warmth inside, while in the summer, it blocks harsh sunlight.
Unlike window blinds, which are composed of hard materials, cellular shades are formed of thin, folded soft paper or cloth-like materials, as well as spun lace and bonded polyester.
A bigger pleat provides a casual elegance, while a smaller pleat creates a more structured and formal feeling in the space – use a 3/8 inch pleat on a smaller window.
These cellular blinds are available in a single cell size of 3/8 to 34 inches, a double cell size of 34 to 12 inches, and a triple cell size of 34 to 12 inches.
Shades with Pleats
Pleated shades and cellular shades have a lot in common, and it’s easy to mix them up. A pleated shade is made out of a single piece of cloth pleated into its characteristic crisp fold pattern, giving your house a timeless appearance and feel.
Pleated shades are frequently found in 1 inch and 2 inch even spaced pleat sizes, which provide structure and depth; when lifted, these pleated blinds have tiny stacks that almost vanish.
Furthermore, they provide a wide range of light control options, including transparent, light-filtering, and blackout materials for optimum control.
Shades of Romance
Roman shades get their name from its classic look, which dates back to the Coliseum awnings of the Roman period. Roman shades are made of cloth that can be simply pulled up or down; while closed, they hang flat and when lifted, they fold horizontally into pleats.
Roman shades, like any other window treatment, provide privacy, light control, and insulation. Roman shades are typically operated by a cord, and they may be used alone or in combination with other window coverings.
It may also add a valance at the top of the window to complete the appearance, which works particularly well in bay windows.
Roman shades are distinguished by their variety of distinct styles and the broad range of materials from which they may be produced, including wood, cloth, and natural materials like as bamboo.
Shades of Sheer
Sheer shades combine the visual appeal of transparent curtains with the functionality of a conventional window shade to create a unique window covering. They sandwich lightweight fabric sheets between transparent fabric panels, giving the impression of a totally new appearance.
Due to its structure, which is a mix of blinds and shades, sheer shades are usually renowned for their light control, privacy, and UV protection.
Their inner soft shades are enclosed on the back and front by a transparent fabric layer that acts as a filter, diffusing and distributing the warm rays of sunshine that enter your house while without obscuring the view outside.
When the transparent shade is pulled and the plates are closed, every living area has enough seclusion.
Shades of Woven Wood
Woven wood blinds are a different kind of window treatment that comes in a variety of textures, exotic reeds, grasses, woods, and elegant natural hues. They’re constructed of wood and other natural materials, and they instantly add visual appeal to any room’s décor. They’re also a wonderful way to give your house a rich organic textured and elegant appearance.
Because they provide a peaceful, soothing, and comfortable atmosphere, woven wood blinds enable you to bring the outdoors into your home. This window treatment design works well with curtain panels on each side or may be used on its own for a simple, natural appearance.
Liners, on the other hand, are offered for more privacy.
Shades with a Tie-Up
The tie-up shade, sometimes known as the stagecoach window treatment, is just cloth hanging flat on a rod. The shades are manually rolled to the desired height and attached with ribbons or cords, rather than utilizing a roller or cords.
Rolling or unrolling the shade while tying or untying the ribbons every time you want to adjust it may be difficult at times. Tie-up shades, on the other hand, are great for showcasing a large-scale design since so much of the fabric is exposed.
Furthermore, the scalloped appearance at the bottom provides a lovely design feature that lends a glamorous, formal, or classic appeal to various décor styles.
Shades of Balloons
Balloon shades are window coverings that function well with particular design themes, such as Tuscan, French country, Hollywood glamour, cottage, or a classic design style, depending on the fabric used. Balloon shades are often constructed of transparent or silky materials with strings, ribbons, or cords flowing through rings in the rear.
With its gentle pleats and circular curves, the shade’s fabric drapes elegantly when pushed open, giving the window treatment a romantic, formal, and slightly old-fashioned look. Balloon shades may also be lined with a thick fabric that completely filters out light.
Balloon shades are simple to install and one of the most cost-effective window treatments available since they require a minimum quantity of fabric. They also provide excellent privacy, which is ideal for kitchen and entrance windows.
They’re also excellent in bedrooms and bathroom windows, or any area where a tapestry-style fabric complements their elegance, when created in a thicker fabric.
Window Shades with Single Cells
A single cell window shade features a single row or layer of cells that stack on top of one another, resulting in fewer horizontal clean rows and a less cluttered appearance. Single-cell blackout blinds provide excellent light control and privacy at a lower cost than double-cell window shades.
Pleats form cell pockets that help insulate windows, absorb UV rays, filter light, and have sound absorption characteristics, making them an ideal window treatment for energy and noise reduction.
Window Shades with Double Cells
A double-cell window shade has a more complicated design than a single-cell window shade. A double cell shade contains two layers of cells, one closest to the room and the other closest to the window, created by interwoven, slightly offset rows of cells.
The price of a double cell window shade is greater than a single cell window shade because double cell shades need more fabric to manufacture. A double cell window blind may offer greater insulating and noise reduction capabilities due to the extra layer of cells.
Furthermore, double cell window coverings function best in windows that are shallower or smaller.
Bamboo Shades for Windows
Bamboo is a resilient plant that thrives in almost any environment. It is one of the most environmentally friendly kinds of window blinds available today, and its popularity has grown as a result of its unique “green” characteristics.
Though it may seem to be a conventional decorating choice, utilizing bamboo as a window treatment should not be limited to Asian-themed décor since bamboo window blinds are always attractive, environmentally friendly, and flexible.
It may be combined with fabric curtains to create a layered and lovely overall look. Bamboo shades provide warmth and texture while offering a wide range of light filtering choices. They are available in a slatted functional shape that offers near blackout quality.
Window Shades for Skylights
One of the major benefits of having a window and skylights is that they provide a unique method to introduce and enjoy natural light into your house. Skylights, however, may be a problem to manage direct glare, filter or block light, and keep out heat or cold as required due to their position.
Skylight window shades may improve the appearance of your skylight window while also providing seclusion and insulation. It also enables you to regulate the quantity of natural light that enters the space.
When installing a skylight window cover, it’s critical to think about things like the skylight’s orientation, form, and whether or not it opens.
Cellular Window Shades with No Cords
The simplicity of operation and clean, uncluttered appearance of a cordless window shade system are the main selling points, since there are no visible hanging working wires that may be a significant hazard to young children and pets.
The cordless cellular window shade also features a cordless mechanism that enables you to raise and lower the cellular window blinds evenly, as the name implies.
Motorized Shades with Remote Control
Window coverings with motors are popular these days because they are a simple way to add a high-tech touch to any house. Motorized window blinds with remote control make raising and lowering window coverings as easy as pushing a button, and they can even be linked into your smart home system.
The shades and drapes may move in tandem with other subsystems such as lighting, music, and heating and cooling equipment thanks to this connection between home automation and motorized window coverings. Furthermore, they may be synced so that they start and stop at the same time and line up precisely across the display.
Remote control motorized window shades are just as efficient at conserving energy as they are at protecting your privacy and acting as a burglar deterrent.
Shades for privacy
Privacy shades are opaque and non-transparent window coverings that block out light even while the rooms are lighted from the inside.
This helps minimize the demand for artificial light by using transparent textiles that absorb sunlight and disperse natural light around your house.
Privacy shades made of semi-opaque and opaque textiles are ideal for bedrooms, bathrooms, and rooms facing the street or a neighbor, since they fully block out sunlight and the view outside, keeping the interior of your house entirely concealed.
Blinds of the past
Traditional blinds are a kind of window treatment that consists of long horizontal slats of various materials such as wood, plastic, or metal. The blind is kept together by a lift rope that goes through the slats of the blind and enables it to be pushed up and stacked firmly to the top.
They also utilize a thin woven corded “ladder” system to hang the slats, and these horizontal blinds are manually manipulated to close or open using a rotating drum to which the woven corded ladder is connected.
Roller blinds, Roman blinds, pleated blinds, Venetian blinds, Shoji Japanese blinds, and vertical blinds are the six kinds of conventional blinds now available.
What Is The Best Way To Measure For Window Shades?
The normal length of a typical window varies from 36 to 72 inches, while the usual width is from 24 to 60 inches.
Inside-Mount Shades Measuring
- Measure the inner edge of the window casing at the top, bottom, and center to get the precise width. Make all measurements to the closest 1/8th inch, rounding down for width if necessary, and order the width with the lowest measurement of the three.
- Measure the precise height in three places from the window sill to the bottom of the top casing. Make all measures to the closest 1/8th inch, rounding up for height if necessary, then arrange the height with the longest of the three measurements.
- Depth: Measure the depth of the flat surface of your window’s top casing as well, since certain inside-mount shades need particular depths to fit correctly within the window.
Outside-Mount Shades Measuring
- Width: Measure the precise width of the window frame you want the shade to cover from left to right. Make sure the measurement is wide enough to extend three inches past both sides of the window for maximum privacy and light coverage.
- Height: Decide where you want the headrail to go, then measure the height you want the shades to be by measuring from top to bottom, where you want the shades to hang down.
Video on How to Measure for Shades
What Is The Best Way To Purchase Window Shades?
Because choosing the proper window coverings may provide homeowners with long-term advantages, here is a list of essential factors to think about:
- Consider the current style of your home’s interior and exterior design, as well as the appearance of the many kinds of window shades available, since your window treatment will be one of your home’s major highlights. More information about window kinds may be found here.
- When it comes to selecting the appropriate kind of shades, think about the most essential factors for you: cost, style, energy efficiency, light blocking qualities, and other characteristics that are significant to you.
- Consider the long-term advantages as well as the diversity of styles and colors as you browse and compare.
- Consider privacy and security in each room of your home, since certain places need more privacy and/or security than others. Consider how much natural light can get in and how much dangerous UV rays may be blocked by the shade.
- Consider problems like hanging wires, which may be dangerous for young children and pets at home.
Keep in mind that window coverings like shades may enhance the value of your house while also saving you money in the long term. It’s also essential to think about how much comfort your window treatment offers as well as the aesthetic appeal it adds to your house.
Are there any window blinds that we didn’t include? In the comments area, tell us about your favorite window treatment options. More information on the many kinds of window blinds may be found here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the different types of window coverings?
There are many different types of window coverings. Some common types include: Sheers – These are thin, light-weight curtains that can be drawn across the window to block out light and provide privacy. Drapes – These are heavy curtains that can be pulled across the window to block out light and provide privacy. Roller Shades – These are heavy curtains that can be rolled up or down to block out light and provide privacy. Venetian Blinds – These are heavy curtains that can be pulled across the window to block out light and provide privacy. Shutters – These are heavy curtains that can be pulled across the window to block out light and provide privacy. Tinted Windows – These are windows that have a layer of tinting on the outside to block out light and provide privacy. What are the different types of window treatments? There are many different types of window treatments. Some common types include: Sheers – These are thin, light-weight curtains that can be drawn across the window to block out light and provide privacy. Drapes – These are heavy curtains that can be pulled across the window to block out light and provide privacy. Roller Shades – These are heavy curtains that can be rolled up or down to block out light and provide privacy. Venetian Blinds – These are heavy curtains that can be pulled across the window to block out light and provide privacy. Shutters – These are heavy curtains that can be pulled across the window to block out light and provide privacy
How many types of shades are there?
There are three types of shades: light, medium and dark.
What are the best type of window shades?
The best type of window shades are the ones that are made from a fabric.
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