Window Treatment Considerations - Curtains, Shades and Blinds

Curtains, shades and blinds help shield your home from the sunlight. Several curtains and drapes contain linings that aid in insulating the room. Alternatives to curtains and drapes are various types of shades and blinds. Shades and blinds work to reflect rays away from the room. There are some things that you should consider when choosing curtains, shades, and blinds.

Shade Type - Roll-up shades are any easy way to accent your interior and are very inexpensive. Fiberglass laminated or vinyl coated cotton shades are the most durable and stylish. In addition to roll-up shades, there are honeycomb and cellular shades. Honeycomb shades can fit unusual shaped windows and are very flexible. Cellular shades work well for insulating sound and temperature.

Blind Type - Venetian blinds are horizontal slats that are made of wood, metal or plastic. The two standard styles of Venetian blind are the standard 2-inch wide slat blind and the 1-inch wide slat miniblind that is held by slender cords. Vertical blinds are most basically a venetian blind turned over. Vertical blinds are most often used for large windows and glass sliding doors. Evaluate the single-cord control which is most often preferred as opposed to a looped cord system.

Curtain/Drape Install - For curtains you will need to install a rod. First you must decide whether you will install the rod on the wall or on the casing of the window. Once that is determined you must hold up the rod and mark where you will screw in your brackets. Screw in your brackets with the proper screws and hang your rod. Attach the curtain to the rod and you are finished.

Curtains, shades and blinds are an easy way to decorate the interior of your home while maintaining energy efficiency. These are simple, low cost ways to enhance the value of your home and keep harmful rays away. If you are unsure about the installation of any curtain, shade or blind contact a local professional.