What Are Blinds?
If you’re ready to get window treatments but you’ve had a hard time deciding on a type, it’s time to dive into a few more details to figure out what is the difference between blinds and shades.
Blinds are a standard window covering in many homes. Choosing blinds for your home gives you a selection of many colors and styles, whether vertical hanging blinds, horizontal Venetian blinds, or another style.
Blinds are affordable and can help keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.
What Are Shades?
Shades or curtains are a great choice because you can choose fabrics that block UV rays, which helps energy efficiency. Other perks of shades include many colors and fabric styles, multiple material options, light-darkening capabilities, and an opportunity to add some stylistic flair.
Since shades are made from solid fabric, they’re typically either entirely open or entirely closed to reap maximum energy-saving benefits.
The Main Differences Between Blinds and Shades
What is the difference between blinds and shades? Both shades and blinds have similar purposes — to let light in or block it out, add decorative flare to a space, and provide privacy.
However, these two window treatments look and work differently. For example, blinds have slats, either vertical or horizontal, that can be open, partially open and closes, or closed.
On the other hand, shades are either open, letting in light, or closed, stopping light from entering the home, which is better for energy efficiency.
When it comes to cleaning, blinds need frequent dusting since dust builds up on each blind. Shades do not need dusting as often, but they may need washing or dry cleaning to keep dust away.
Choosing Between Blinds and Shades
Before you choose your shades or blinds, consider these options to help narrow down which is best for your home. Zebra shades by The Window Valet combine the flat slat design of blinds with the full coverage of shades, so if you want the best of both worlds, try this modern window covering!
Choose a Material You Prefer
Blinds come in many materials. You can choose faux wood blinds, real wood blinds, or vinyl. Shades also have many material options, like sheer fabric, opaque fabrics, semi-sheer pieces of fabric, and bamboo cellular shades.
Consider Your Window Covering Requirements
Consider which features are important to you. For example, if you have a large window, would you prefer vertical blinds which block light better than shades could? Or, maybe you want shades in bedrooms for light-blocking capabilities, but you want blinds everywhere else.
Find the Right Window Coverings for Your Home with The Window Valet
Now that you know the answer to, “What is the difference between blinds and shades?” you can choose the right window covering for your home.
Check out our guide to buying blinds and explore modern options like window shades to make your final decision!
Contact The Window Valet at (317) 999-5154 for motorized-lift shades, a vast inventory of blinds, and to learn more about the difference between blinds and shades today!
