Beige cellular shades over a wide window seat.

What To Know About Window Shades Vs Blinds In Baltimore

August 11, 2022

You’ll undoubtedly discover an array window shades and blinds whenever you search for window treatments for your Baltimore home. Window shades use fabric panels that you pull down over your windows to conceal them. You also raise or lower window blinds, but they are built from firm materials with slats you can tilt up or down. Which option works best for your house? Discover what you should know about window shades vs. blinds in Baltimore.

The Majority Of Window Blinds Have More Ways Than Shades For Directing Exterior Light And Privacy

Gray blinds on a large window next to a couch.

Both window shades and blinds will cover your windows in Baltimore, but blinds provide a little more mastery over sunlight and privacy. You may lower blinds to cover your window. Then turn a bar to adjust the slats for differing levels of sunlight and privacy. Just know that second-rate blinds with bowed or broken slats will cause large openings. High-quality wood or faux-wood blinds offer the best control over privacy and sunlight.

Window shades cover your window using a sheet of fabric and have a limited ability for providing differing amounts of natural light and privacy, although sheer and zebra shades feature fabric components that mimic blind slats. Or you can try top-down/bottom-up options that let you reveal the higher reaches of your window for sunlight while maintaining your privacy in the lower half.

Customized blinds and shades that fit precisely inside your windows without extra space or overhang give you the most complete coverage. But keep in mind, due to the fact they don’t attach to the framework in the same manner that other window treatments like plantation shutters do, you might observe light at their borders, specifically if they happen to be knocked into or subjected to a wind gust. Although blinds give you some authority over the amount and direction of sunlight, interior shutters give you even more possibilities for controlling sunlight.

Cellular Shades Give You Energy Savings Not Found in Blinds

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

Specialized window treatments can offer extra insulation for your windows and help reduce energy expenses. In the battle of window blinds vs. shades in Baltimore, shades are the winner in terms of efficiency–specifically cellular shades. Blinds, on the other hand, offer little to no insulation due to their slim components and abundance of gaps.

Cellular shades are so named because of the honeycomb-like “cells” that their specialized pleated fabrication results in. The pleats fold up like an accordion as you raise the shades and collect air coming through your windows when you pull the shades down. When trapping exterior air, they prevent it from infiltrating your residence and impacting the indoor temperature. This is good for you as your heating and cooling equipment uses less energy to sustain the comfort levels of your Baltimore property. Of course, neither blinds nor shades can match the energy-efficient power of Polywood® shutters with their patented weatherstripping.

Window Shades Offer More Variations To Pick From

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

The appearance of your window treatments is equally as critical as the other benefits they provide. In this case, the decision between window shades vs. blinds in Baltimore is decided by your unique style. Aluminum and vinyl blinds are available in a wide range of colors but tend to fall apart rapidly. More durable wood and faux-wood blinds can be found in an assortment of classic stain colors and have other personalization choices. Their solid slats and clean contours will look very classy in your home.

Window shades give you quite a bit more variation in materials, opacities, styles, colors, and patterns. You are able to choose anything from sheer beige roller shades to pleated Roman shades to textured woven fiber shades. It’s easy to locate a window shade that blends into your decor with a wealth of options at your disposal.

Explore More About Window Blinds Vs Shades In Baltimore At Sunburst Shutters Baltimore

Blinds, shades, or shutters, Sunburst has you covered! Give us a chance to display how our exceptional window treatments look in your Baltimore property during a free in-home consultation. Request yours today by phoning 301-321-7998 or completing the form below.

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