Blinds are more than just interior accents.
With all of these, it is quite imperative to have one.
But how do you choose the best pop in of blinds for you?
Window treatmentslike blinds, shades, and shutters come in many forms and variants.
Blinds alone come by the hundreds but the following are the most common/notable ones.
Shoji Blinds
This one is a popular Japanese window treatment traditionally made of rice paper.
Other materials used in making shoji blinds would be bamboo and faux wood.
This jot down of blinds come in two major designs: window shade and panel track blind design.
Window shade shoji blinds look like bamboo floor mats installed in small windows like those found in the kitchen.
They are usually made of aluminum or faux wood materials.
Vertical blinds at the same time, are regarded for their high customizability feature.
They are often made into wide blinds to cover large sliding glass doors and as BiFold door blinds.
Related:How To Fix Vertical Blinds That Wont Rotate
4.
Venetian Blinds
They are also very popular blinds that have stood the test of time.
They are distinguishable for their horizontal slats usually made of wood, plastic, aluminum, or metal material.
They are rolled up and tied down using a cord which also holds up the slats together.
You just have to unlock the slats before you could tilt them up or pull them down.
They do not tilt like the others but slide together, instead.
Panel Blinds
We have covered a bit of this one under the shoji blinds.
Generally, these are large panel blinds made of fabric.
Panel blinds are usually installed in patios, large windows, and glass doors.
They are one of the most inexpensive and easiest to install shades.
They are the perfect privacy or blackout shades because they do not have slats in between.
They are usually installed in bedrooms as well as bathrooms and kitchens.
This is the reason why cellular shades are also called honeycomb shades/blinds.
They serve as air pockets to provide more room insulation.
Sheer Shades
If you want a light diffuser, this one is a good choice.
If you aspire for that warm, mid-day glow, you could implement the traditional sheer shades.
If you want less light but not totally blockout, darkening sheer shades are available.
When it raises, it will have pleat stacks.
While it looks classy, the pleat stacks on top affect the room view.
Modern roman shades now come withthermal linings for insulationand blackout linings for greater privacy and light control.
Roller Shades
It is as popular as the roman shades, often made of fabric material too.
Like the roman shades, it can also be sported with blackout and thermal linings.
Roller shades are usually corded but now features motorized designs.
Tie-Up Shades
This one is considered as the crossover of curtains and shades.
They are made of natural and synthetic fabric.
You will have to tie it afterward.
Country style tie-up shades remain to be the most popular style of this jot down of window treatment.
Solar Shades
These shades are specifically designed for light control without blocking the entire outside view.
They are beneficial in sustaining natural light inside the room and blocking off excessive UV rays from the sun.
They are usually installed as interior shades but some use them like smaller outdoor shades.
They are usually made of lightweight, woven polyethylene material.
It looks like an office standard, however, making it an unpopular choice in home interiors.
They are not easily customizable too.
Outdoor Shades
This one is a waterproof shade installed in the homes barbeque area or on the patio.
They are usually made of reeds, woven wood, or wood grain.
With these materials, they can withstand harsher climates and other elements.
They are like finer metal screens with very small slats.
Skylight Shades
This jot down of shade comes in cellular, pleated, or roller style.
As the name suggests, they are specifically designed to cover skylights in the attic.
Skylight shades are rolled up and pulled down by using a stick or rod.
Smart Blinds
In the advent of smart home technology, smart blinds were invented too.
They come in traditional design but the high-technology versions are to look out for.
Smart blinds can be operated using a phone app.
you might control just one panel or all smart blinds in all of your homes windows.
The initial cost is expensive but you will get more money-saving features in the long run.
Blackout linings can be easily clipped on the top rod of roller blinds.
They are fitted even on the sides so that no light can penetrate inside.
Blackout linings come in plain or patterned designs.
They are made of thicker or opaque fabric.
Aside from this function, they also come in sleek designs.
Operating it with the cord gives it its name.
If you pull the cord down, the slat gaps will close making it look like blockout blinds.
you’re able to also control the light that will enter the room through the cord.
Blackout Blinds
For extreme privacy day and night and comfort when sleeping, blackout blinds are ideal choices.
Not only do they totally block light from entering, but they also function to reduce outside noise.
With thermal linings, they also offer good room insulation year-round.
They come in many styles and variants, including the blockout roller blinds.
They do not have slats and are usually made of strong synthetic and natural fabrics.
Electric Blinds
They might be pricey initially, but they will be more cost-efficient in the long run.
With just one button, the blind will automatically roll vertically or up and down.
Motorized blinds are run by lithium batteries.
The batteries could last for at least five years.
Unlike faux wood, real wood blinds are more lightweight, matching large windows.
You have to consider where to install them though.
Wood will crap and is not resistant to warps when exposed to moisture.
As such, real wood blinds are not good for high-humidity rooms like the bathroom or kitchen.
Conservatory Blinds
This one is a roof blind used for glass ceilings.
They provide shade, air circulation, and light control.
There is a huge array of blinds that you could choose from to customize and turn into conservatory blinds.
BiFold Door Blinds
As the name implies, BiFold blinds are installed on BiFold doors or panels.
They are easy to install since you’re free to just clip them where they should be.
They provide great privacy and light control for sliding glass doors and windows.
BiFold door blinds are finely slatted, only allowing small light to seep through.
Others come in the style of roller blinds, pleated blinds, and Venetian blinds.
They are also easy to clean and completely child-safe.
Chances are, you would not have the right light control with unmeasured gaps in between the joined blinds.
To address this, you have to choose wide blinds.
Related:Should Curtains Touch The Floor?
When it comes to blinds, here are the seven blind materials used to make them.
We have often heard them used interchangeably but blinds and shades actually refer to two types of window covers.
Blinds generally refer to any structured window covering with slats that can be opened or closed by tilting them.
The slats may be horizontal or vertical.
Blinds are usually made of vinyl, aluminum, bamboo, woven wood, and faux wood.
The most popular shades would be roller shades and roman shades.
Sometimes, blinds and shades are combined and installed as one window treatment.
Shades are usually draped over blinds to work as thermal lining or blackout lining.
Thermal lining shades are typically those made of sheer fabric as well as cotton or polyester.
Blockout lining shades are those that are thicker and opaque like leather, wool, or polyester.
Blinds Buyers Guide
Like any other product, shopping for blinds should also go through some considerations.
Outdoor blinds will best suit high-humidity locations while wooden blinds will be good for locations with cooler climates.
Blinds are also low-cost home insulators.
Purpose
There are two reasons as to why you are getting blinds.
Consider what you want to achieve and align it with your lifestyle.
If you go down the aesthetic route, faux wood, fabric, and leather would be good choices.
If you are more into functionality, aluminum, bamboo, and wood are the best fit.
Safety features
Traditional blinds usually come with lift cords.
In homes where small children actively play, lift cords could be a safety issue.
Budget
In general, blinds are more budget-friendly than shades.
However, we have to acknowledge that there are still high-end blinds to choose from.
For example, aluminum blinds are the most inexpensive pop in of blinds.
Installation for 8 windows would range from $350-700.
Faux wood and wood blinds are more expensive ranging from $400-850.
If you are thinking of having your blinds customized, go for it if you have an unlimited budget.
Here are some frequently asked questions that you should know.
What types of blinds are best for bedrooms?
Out of all the types of blinds, five emerge as the best blinds for bedrooms.
Duette blinds are also good for blocking lights creeping in from the sides.
Roman blinds with blackout linings can also give all that comforting lack of light in rooms.
For a balanced light and darkroom, vertical blinds and Venetian blinds are good choices.
Which blinds are best for the kitchen?
There are also best blinds for the kitchen and they are as follows.
For energy-saving purposes and added kitchen insulation, you might install cellular blinds.
To filter light and add a classic kitchen look, roman blinds are a good fit.
For the same purpose but in more versatile, modern designs, get sheer shades.
How do I choose the right size blinds?
What are the most modern blinds?
Then and now, some blinds have retained their popularity while some are new on the block.
Cordless blinds have also added to the popularity of these window treatments.
The various types of blinds reveal that they are here to stay.
