Choosing window treatments can be overwhelming
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Cellular Shades also add R-value to your home and help
reduce heating and cooling costs, another bonus feature.
Ask us more about Cellular Shades (aka. Honeycombs). |
There are so many choices out there. So many colours, textures, patterns, options, brands, etc. to choose from. Where do you start? Let’s take a look and hopefully we can narrow down the choices and selection together.
First step we need to do is answer a few simple but very important questions. “What is important to you? What are you looking for in your window treatments.. Is it safety? Price? Fashion forward? Sturdiness? Do you want your window treatments to block light completely or just filter the light?”
Before we go any further I wanted to define the type of window treatments we are going to be discussing. There are two types of window treatment categories. They are what’s called “Pre-made” and “Custom made” blinds and window treatments. Pre-made window treatments are usually low quality and very limited in options, colours, sizing, etc. Custom made window treatments tend to be higher quality and have a large range of options, colours, sizing, etc. In this article we will be discussing “Custom made” window treatments.
SAFETY
If child safety is a concern for you and must play into your product choice(s), you have plenty of options. Many products like roller shades, viennas, cellular shades (a.k.a. honeycomb shades), and more can be motorized which can eliminate dangling cords. Both
Habitat Blinds & Shading Systems as well as
Elite Window Fashions offer motorization from
Somfy Motors.
Continuous loop cords can be used on many products such as those mentioned above. Some brands also have continuous loop cords on horizontal blinds too. Check out this option when looking at Elite Window Fashion’s horizontal blinds.
Another alternative if you can’t afford these options or you have existing blinds with cords is wall cleats. Cleats are small anchor like hooks that you can add to your wall or door. You can buy these at your local hardware store, from your window treatment supplier or by ordering online. You can order complementary ones from window covering safety websites such as
Children’s Safety Association of Canada or the
Window Covering Safety Council. To “do-it-yourself” retrofits check out Canada Health’s website for
instructions.
PRICE
Generally, with custom window treatments, your least expensive options are horizontals – either Aluminum or Faux Wood. This is primarily due to their popularity and high demand. Verticals can also be a good choice.
A mid price range is typically roller shades, cellular and pleated shades. These options, particularly roller shades and cellular shades are being more and more popular and in demand so their costs have started coming down. They are a good option to look at.
Roman shades, viennas, sheer fabric shades, panel tracks, shutters and such are usually at the higher end of the spectrum.
Well hopefully we have started narrowing down the options for you. Once you figure out the top two, the next section should be a bit easier in narrowing down.
STURDY & FASHION FORWARD
When you have kids and pets in your house you may want to consider something a bit sturdier than some others. Some good choices for sturdier treatments are:
þ Faux Wood or Eco Wood Horizontal Blinds (Real wood is not as flexible due to its natural grain lines which lead to breakage; very easily. Aluminum blinds can crease and bend very easy and cannot be straightened back very well, once bent.)
þ Roller Shades
þ Fabric Vertical Blinds (PVC can break easier, with rough treatment. Note; you may want to stay away from bottom chains on your vertical blinds. Pets and kids tend to weave through the vanes during play and they can trip or get tangled.)
þ Panel Tracks
þ Roman Shades (be sure to consider child safety options into this type of blind)
þ Shutters
...just to name a few.
If you’re more into Fashion & Trendy products and are ok with more delicate fabrics (in some cases) some good choices are:
þ Horizontal Blinds (tapes can add some trendiness, etc. or check out distressed wood looks)
þ Patterned Fabric Roller Shades (&/or Sheerweave Roller Shades which are great if you have an amazing view you don’t want to block)
þ Cellular Shades
þ Panel Tracks
þ Roman Shades
þ Shutters
þ Viennas / Sonoma
þ Highlite Shades
...just to name a few. Some of these options come with some very nice and bold designs and colours.
PRIVACY & LIGHT FILTERING
Some good choices for complete privacy are:
þ Horizontal Blinds
þ Fabric or Vinyl Roller Shades (this does not include Sheerweave Roller Shades)
þ Vertical Blinds
þ Cellular (with room darkening lining) & Pleated Shades
þ Panel Tracks
þ Roman Shades
þ Shutters
þ Viennas
...just to name a few.
However for light filtering (while closed) some good choices are:
þ Perforated Aluminum Horizontals
þ Sheerweave Roller Shades
þ Sheer Elite (when open)
þ Cellular (when open or closed; without room darkening lining)
þ Viennas / Sonoma
þ Highlite Shades
...just to name a few.
Well I hope this have helped give you some ideas for your search of the perfect window treatment that will meet your needs.
To recap here is a check list to help you narrow down your selection.
Is Child & Pet safety an issue for you? q Yes q No q Maybe in the future
Do you want motorization? q Yes q No
Is price an issue for you? q Yes q I’m price conscious q Price is not an issue
Are you looking for something sturdy or fashion forward? q Sturdy q Fashion
Do you want complete privacy or light filtering? q Complete Privacy q Light Filtering
