Deciding on window treatments is a very personal decision and matters as much as selecting the furnishings in a room. The treatments add value to a home, and every type has its own advantages and disadvantages and its own distinctive style, insulating ability, light control, and ease of use.
SHUTTERS
Shutters can be used both indoors and outdoors and in all kinds of weather. They effectively keep the heat and cold outside or inside depending on what you want to accomplish and are durable and versatile. Aluminum Shutters are great for windows and for an enclosed porch where you want to allow fresh air and sunlight to come in. Basswood Shutters create the warm and inviting look of wood, whether stained or painted. They control privacy and the level of light. When closed, they keep the harsh sun out and protect against both heat and cold.
Thermo 25 Shutters are moisture-resistant so are perfect in a bathroom, laundry room, or kitchen. Roller Shutters are ideal if you have large windows and want a way to shut out distracting noises and bright lights, especially in your bedroom if you work at night and sleep during the day. They can decrease energy usage by eliminating sunlight, which helps to control the temperature. They increase security by adding privacy and being difficult to break through.
CURTAINS
Curtains are made of lightweight fabric that can coordinate with the other furnishings or stand out by contrasting in texture and style. Don’t confuse them with drapes, which are much heavier and are usually floor length. Some of the pros are that curtains give warmth and coziness to a room, are generally more energy efficient, and have more possibilities in materials and designs. This is especially true for thermal curtains that can even block out near to all sunlight into a room when necessary. Cons include that they are more expensive than shutters, are harder to clean, and, if you have pets or young children, be aware that the cords can be dangerous and have to be secured.
BLINDS
Blinds come in many varieties including Venetian blinds, which are horizontal slats that allow control of the amount of light that comes in. Vertical blinds are slats of plastic, wood, or stiffened fabric, and hang from a horizontal track. Roller blinds are panels made of fabric that are rolled on a horizontal pole. Roman shades are fabric and gather horizontally when raised.
Pros include that blinds are the least expensive, make a room appear larger because they are less intrusive and fold out of the way, and can be adjusted and opened slightly to let in exactly the amount of light desired. Cons are that there are limited designs and materials, they are less energy efficient, and, again, the cords can be dangerous.
Window treatments are very popular and eye-catching products. The cost varies greatly and depends upon the materials, the quality, and whether they are ready to hang or are custom made and have to be professionally measured, designed, and installed.
