This guide is intended to be a one stop resource for everything related to window blinds and shades. This chapter will focus on the different types of window blinds/shades that are available. If there is something specific you would like to know about, please feel free to email us your questions at info@windowblindratings.com.
While curtains were the preferred type of window covering for many years, lately people have begun to turn to blinds for covering their windows. Window blinds can do so much for your windows and your home. Installing new window blinds can really change the way your home or office will look. This is because window blinds add softness to your windows, you can control the amount of light that comes in and the amount of privacy you need and want. Blinds really do have a lot of uses and come in a variety of styles and colors.
1) Venetian or slatted blinds: Also known as horizontal blinds, these window blinds have horizontal slats that are joined together with a cording system. The blinds move in the up-down direction and can be raised and lowered depending on whether you want to shut the blinds or open them.
2) Pleated blinds/shades: (Cellular or Honeycomb): Pleated, cellular or honeycomb blinds are the improvement of the more conservative Venetian blind. Folded fabric is used in pleated, cellular or honeycomb blinds instead of the horizontal slat that is used in Venetian blinds. Folded fabric allows more filtered lighting and is therefore gaining popularity.
3) Vertical blinds: Unlike the Venetian blinds where the slats are in the horizontal position, in vertical blinds the slats are in the vertical position and are arranged side by side instead of one on top of the other. Hence, these window blinds cannot be pulled up or down but move from side to side.
4) Roller blinds/shades: A roller blind is one where the blind material (generally a stiff material) is rolled onto a roller, which is generally made from wood or fabric. This roller sits at the top of the window and can be lowered as you wish. You can either lower the roller fully so as to cover the window, or you can lower it partially. Once you release the roller blind, it goes back to its original position.
5) Mini blinds: A mini blind can be considered to be a smaller version of horizontal blinds. Mini blinds too have horizontal slats but these are typically narrower than those on horizontal blinds. Mini blinds are smaller as they fit inside the frame of the windows, typically made from aluminum, though synthetics such as PVC, vinyl or plastic are also used.
6) Roman shades: These window blinds are made from fabric and not stiff materials such as wood, vinyl etc. The Roman blinds fold up from the bottom into pleats, giving the folds a rippling look. When lowered, these blinds lay flat without any hint of the soft folds.
The materials that are used to make window blinds vary greatly and each has its pros and cons. For Venetian or slated blinds the materials that are most often used are aluminum or vinyl. These are the most cost effective and functional. However, they also provide a more basic look. Other slat blinds use real wood, but cost a lot more. Another choice is faux wood, which is actually made of a composite material to provide the look and feel of wood for a lower price. In addition, many solid blinds- like pleated, cellular or honeycomb- are made of some type of fabric or a combination of materials. Woven wood, which are made from wood, bamboo, grass or fabric are connected by strings making them a popular choice in some home decors.
Color, Texture, and Appearance
This is a very important consideration when decorating a room. The color of the blinds can matter as far as the overall decorating scheme. There are wide arrays of colors available - particularly colors that may be currently in style. You may have to look more carefully to find a very unique or unusual color. In addition, the texture of the blinds matters. A lot of the texture will depend on the material that is used. Wood will provide a more rugged, aged look. Aluminum or vinyl will provide a functional look. Fabric blinds or a combination can provide a very distinctive appearance. A final thing to consider in this category is that blinds can regulate the light that enters a room. Sunlight can have an adverse affect on the furniture in your room which could lead to fading. You should pay careful attention to how much light you want to enter and how well you can control it to create the desired effect and preserve the life of the furniture.
Internal Parts
The parts that are used to make the raising and lowering mechanisms in the blinds can also make a huge difference in cost and the longevity of the blinds. This is because people are constantly opening and closing and raising and lowering blinds. The parts need to work and keep working so they should also be quite durable. High quality blinds contain motorized equipment that can be used to raise or lower the blinds. While I don’t focus on the specific parts in this section, some parts to look at are the roller, the valance, and the mounting pieces.
Pros and Cons by Type
 Real Wood Blinds: There is nothing quite like the look, the feel and the texture of real wood blinds. They add warmth to any décor and are a natural choice in a window covering. Natural wood shutters and blinds are a great answer for keeping out a strong afternoon sun, providing privacy and tempering outdoor noise. In winter months, real wood shutters also provide some insulation barrier from frigid cold temperatures. Wooden blinds and shutters are easily maintained as they clean up well with the wipe of a cloth; they can be oiled and can be sanded and painted as needed. Consequently, wooden blinds can last a lifetime if well maintained. You can get the look at a fraction of the cost with wood-core blinds coated with a vinyl finish, or with synthetics that look like wood.
Pros: Very attractive and durable. Can last a lifetime and help keep out the cold and reduce outdoor noise. Helps block out the strong afternoon sun.
Cons: Real wood blinds are typically expensive and can be affected by heat and humidity. Can be heavy and difficult to open and not a good choice for bathrooms, may be hard to clean.
Cost: $75 to $245.
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Faux Blinds: On the other hand, faux wood blinds, (imitation wood) offer many advantages as opposed to real wood blinds. In the first place, faux wood is made of vinyl, composite materials or a combination of wood and vinyl. This makes faux blinds very appealing to the eye and in some cases it is difficult to distinguish the faux blind from the real wooden one. The faux blind also does a good job at keeping out strong sunlight and provides insulation to windows in the cold of winter. Secondly, because the faux blind is made of man-made materials, the blind or shutter is moisture-resistant which is more durable and easy to maintain.
Pros: Less expensive compared to real wood blinds and care and maintenance is easier. Not effected by heat and humidity like real wood blinds. Quality faux blinds are hard to distinguish from real blinds.
Cons: Low end or entry level faux blinds can look cheap. Faux blinds are typically heavier compared to real wood blinds making them more difficult to open. Because of the weight factor faux blinds require more slats. Fading can be a problem if purchasing a low end faux blind product.
Cost: $35 to $100.
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 Woven Binds: They can be made from real wood, weed, grass, bamboo, and fabric materials. As a result, they are great for homes that use a lot of wood and natural fibers in the decor. Woven wood blinds are gaining a lot of attention lately, an exciting new trend in window blind fashion. Woven blinds add color and texture as well as privacy. A leader in the field is Conrad, which offers a wide range of exotic weaves and materials in a full spectrum of colors.
Pros: Add beauty to any home décor, durable and can block out heavy afternoon sunlight, adds privacy.
Cons: Pricy when using natural materials. Can be hard to clean and fading is a problem on low-end products. Woven blinds can be heavy and difficult to open depending on blind material and size.
Cost: $60 to $235.
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 Aluminum or Vinyl Blinds:  They are used in areas of the home or office where there is a high volume of traffic as they are easy to manage and maintain. Aluminum blinds are typically lightweight, durable and the most economical choice for home or office. Available in snappy colors and ideal for large and hard-to-fit windows, they have a crisp look that complements modern and high-tech decors. And in a traditional setting, they are a discreet shade for windows that are detailed with curtains or draperies. Aluminum blinds have 2 ways of operating, you can vertically move the blinds to expose the room to direct sunlight, or direct the sunlight in an upward or downward direction. Most mini blinds come in aluminum but are also available in vinyl. I like the de-Light feature in blinds by Hunter Douglas and others; with cord holes set in the rear, light gaps are eliminated.
Pros: Economical, available in a wide range of colors, lightweight and easy to install. Not affected by heat or humidity.
Cons: Very inexpensive and they often look it. Can damage easily and vinyl materials have a tendency to fade over time, can be difficult to clean.
Cost: $20 to $70.
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 Bamboo Blinds or Shades: Bamboo shades, as the name suggests, are made of bamboo and provide a warm, natural feeling to any room where they are used as window coverings. These beautiful natural materials offer great flexibility in designing window treatments. Not only do they compliment most decors, environmentalists will love you for using them. Like most shades, bamboo shades can be raised and lowered using a pull cord. This cord can be pulled until the bamboo have reached the height you want them to be, allowing part of your window to be exposed and other parts of it to still be covered.
Pros: Moderately priced, very attractive, durable and can block out heavy afternoon sunlight, adds privacy.
Cons: Can be hard to clean and fading is a problem on low-end products. Humidity can also damage bamboo blinds.
Cost: $35 to $125
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 Pleated and Cellular Shades: I will try to enumerate the differences between pleated shades and cellular shades, also called honeycomb shades. First, it is fair to say that pleated shades and cellular shades are like cousins. They both have similar looks with crisp pleats, kind of like the bellows of an accordion. Both come with the usual upgrades like top down, bottom up, cordless, continuous cord loop, and even motorization. Additional options for both shade types include a wide variety of colors and fabrics, as well as light filtering or privacy liners.
One of the main differences between cellular and pleated shades is their inner construction – the stuff between the pleated fabrics. Both can come with liners of varying opacity but cellular shades have a honeycomb structure between the pleats that act as an efficient insulator for hot or cold conditions. I live in the Pacific Northwest and cellular shades are a common window treatment because of the cold winters, but they work just as well for hot climates. Pleated shades will help insulate too, just not nearly as well. I chose cellular shades for my home because they were moderately priced, offered privacy and help keep the hot and cold out. I personally love cellular shades and feel they are a better value compared to pleated shades.
 Other differences; cellular shades are available in single, double and triple cells; the more cells, the greater the cost but also the greater the insulation. So, if you really want an energy efficient home keep this in mind as you shop.
Pros: Moderately priced, functional and attractive, insulating feature works in both summer and winter. Cellular is a better value compared to pleated shades.
Cons: Difficult to clean and privacy may be limited when using a single-cell shade.
Cost: Single-cell shades run $45 to $125; double or triple-cell shades, $60 to $175.
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 Solar Screens: Solar screens, also called solar shades, are an excellent option for windows with a view. Solar screens reduce glare and improve energy efficiency by reducing solar heat gain and blocking harmful UV rays. Available in varying degrees of openness for your light control needs – the openness factor describes what percentage of light the material allows through. Materials used in solar shades can be yarns, PVC or woven synthetic materials.
Pros: Moderately priced, blocks ultraviolet light to stop fading and reduces heat and glare. Will not stretch, shrink or twist. Solar shades will typically hang flat and roll true. Easy to clean and maintain, longevity is good.
Cons: No privacy, limited range of colors and folds require fussing.
Cost: $35 to $90
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Shutters: There have been many changes the last few years for window shutters. The biggest change being different types of materials used. Today you can get the traditional real wood shutter, faux wood or vinyl shutters called PVC shutters, or the new composite shutters which are a wood and PVC mixture. Although prices have come down on window shutters, they still remain high overall. Shutters are attractive in homes that use a lot of wood or rustic settings. They don’t block all the sunlight and don’t provide much in the way of insulation or privacy.
Pros: Very attractive. PVC and other synthetic materials hold up better compared to real wood.
Cons: Expensive, hard to clean. Real wood has a tendency to warp due to humidity. Fading can be a problem on low-end product.
Cost: $80 to $300. Custom wood shutters $300 and up.
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 Roller Shades: Roller Shades are similar to solar shades but offer more in the way of privacy. Roller shades are constructed from durable synthetic materials like vinyl or fabrics made from polyester. Roller shades can provide the highest amount of privacy and sun blockage available depending on material being use. These shades can withstand almost any situation and come in a wide variety of popular colors. Roller shades are great for reducing energy costs and are very durable depending on quality of product. TIP; I love the continuous-cord lifting mechanism in newer shades. If I had to choose one option this would be it.
Pros: Offer varying degrees of light control, priced well and available to match any décor. Easy to clean and maintain.
Cons: No cold or sound insulation and can make a room look unfinished. No aesthetic quality.
Cost: With a continuous-cord upgrade, $50 to $80 without, $30 to $65.
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 Roman Shades: Roman shades are a simple and practical window treatment to accent a room or to provide privacy from bright sun or noisy neighbors. A Roman shade is a piece of fabric that is mounted at the top of a window. The fabric is pleated so that when the Roman shade’s string is pulled, the fabric folds up in regular intervals. Classic Roman shades have overlapping folds when the shade is lowered, but different treatments do exist. Flat Roman shades have no folds when the shade is lowered. These shades, when made with sheer or light fabric, can soften bright southern lighting into a subtle, soothing light. A more elaborate sunburst Roman shade has extra fabric at the bottom, which is folded into a half-sunburst.
 Roman shades can be made at home. Making your own Roman shade will be an exercise in mathematical patience. The fabric must be fitted to the window, and the hooks to draw the Roman shade up must be placed at regular intervals. Patterned fabrics are more challenging because the patterns should not clash when the Roman shade is raised. Roman shades purchased from a retailer only need to be installed and come in varieties an amateur may find too difficult to make. For example, some stores like JC Penney sell cordless Roman shades perfect for houses with small children. Roman shades come in hundreds of fabrics or even wood. Interior designers can also make Roman shades just for you, but these will be more expensive than store-bought or homemade Roman shades. TIP: When Roman shades are interlined it makes them hang better and appear fuller. Less minimalist and more “finished” looking than some shades, Roman shades act more like curtains.
Pros: Classic look, hang flat when lowered and fold up neatly when raised. Blocks out summer head and provides good insulation in winter months. Adds privacy and available in any fabric under the sun.
Cons: Expensive and must be taken down for washing or dry cleaning. Not suitable for high-traffic areas.
Cost: Basic shades are $75 to $200. Custom shades from $200 and up.
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 Vertical Blinds: Verticals are still the most affordable option for a sliding glass door. You can choose from the fabric vanes that allow light in to brighten the room but still provide privacy or the PVC vanes that allow no light in for room darkening. Vertical blinds can draw from the right or the left or split in the middle. There are also new faux wood vertical blinds available to match your wood or faux blinds in your home. Most faux vertical blinds are thick and won’t wrap or bend due to humidity. Vertical blinds are a good choice for window treatments also because of ease of cleaning and privacy. A number of window blind manufacturers are now offering vertical blinds in woven materials or fabrics.
Pros: Moderately priced, easy to clean and provide the best option for sliding glass doors.
Cons: Low-end products can be difficult to open because the track mechanisms are cheap and fail quickly. Can fade over time and provide little in the way of insulation during cold winter months.
Cost: $45 to $125.
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