Beige cellular shades over a wide window seat.

What To Know About Window Shades Vs Blinds In Boston

August 11, 2022

You’ll definitely find an array window blinds and shades whenever you search for window coverings for your Boston property. Window shades use fabric panels that you lower over your windows to shield them. You can also raise or lower window blinds, but they are made of rigid materials with slats you may tilt up or down. Which product is right for your house? Discover what you should know about window shades vs. blinds in Boston.

The Majority Of Window Blinds Have More Ways Than Shades For Managing Sunlight And Privacy

Gray blinds on a large window next to a couch.

Both window blinds and shades will conceal your windows in Boston, but blinds provide additional command over sunlight and privacy. You can bring down blinds to cover your window. Then rotate a wand to adjust the slats for different amounts of natural light and privacy. But keep in mind that cheaply made blinds with warped or broken slats will cause large openings. High-quality wood or faux-wood blinds offer the best management over privacy and exterior light.

Window shades cover your window using a panel of fabric and have not much capability for offering different levels sunlight and privacy, although sheer and zebra or transitional shades feature fabric components that simulate the function of blind slats. Or you can try top-down/bottom-up options that let you expose the upper part of your window for light while protecting your privacy in the lower half.

Made-to-order shades and blind that fit exactly within your windows with an absence of extra space or overhang provide the most complete covering. But keep in mind, due to the fact they don’t affix around the framework the way other products like interior shutters do, you might observe sunlight at their edges, particularly if they happen to be knocked into or caught in a gust of air. And while blinds provide some management over where sunlight shines and how much, plantation shutters give you even more choices for directing light.

Cellular Shades Give You Energy Efficiency Not Available With Blinds

Light gray cellular shades on three separate windows in large light wood and beige colored living room.

Some window treatments can offer extra insulation for your windows and help reduce energy expenses. When comparing window blinds vs. shades in Boston, shades win the energy efficiency comparison–specifically cellular shades. Blinds, on the other hand, offer practically no insulation because of their slender components and abundance of gaps.

Cellular shades get their name from the honeycomb-like “cells” that their unique pleated design results in. The pleats come together accordion-style when you raise the shades and capture air seeping through your windows if you pull the shades down. When trapping air from outside, they prevent it from infiltrating your residence and impacting the indoor temperature. That means your air treatment equipment doesn’t burn as much energy to maintain the comfort of your Boston home. Of course, neither blinds nor shades can match the energy-efficient power of Polywood® shutters with their exclusive weatherstripping.

Window Shades Offer More Styles To Select From

Light gray sheer shades on two large tall windows with a beige and tan styled living room.

How your window treatments look is equally as important as what they do. In this case, the question of window shades vs. blinds in Boston boils down to specific design requirements. Aluminum and vinyl blinds are available in a wide range of colors but break down in little time. More robust wood and faux-wood blinds are available in a variety of popular stains or paints and have additional personalization choices. Their steady slats and straight lines can look very classy in your home.

Window shades bring a great deal more variation in styles, materials, colors, patterns, and opacities. You can choose any type of window treatment from sheer white roller shades to distinctive Roman shades to natural woven fiber shades. It’s simple to find a window shade that fits your decor with so many options waiting for you.

Learn More About Window Blinds Vs Shades In Boston With Sunburst Shutters Boston

Blinds, shades, or shutters, Sunburst has them all! Let us show you how our premium window coverings look in your Boston residence during a no-cost in-home consultation. Schedule yours today by dialing 781-352-2205 or submitting the form on this page.

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