Blinds vs. Shades: Making the Right Choice for Your Home
Want to upgrade your window coverings but not sure where to start? You’ll want to know which type of window covering is best for your home—blinds or shades.
Blinds are a type of window covering made from slats bound together with thin strings. Slats can be tightly closed for privacy or tilted to let in varying amounts of light. Blinds are great for those who want options—they come in several different materials (wood, faux wood, vinyl, fabric, etc.) to choose from—and who want more flexibility in their ratio of light/privacy. Blinds’ durability and resistance to humidity also make them ideal for bathrooms and high traffic areas.
But blinds get dusty often and require more frequent cleaning than shades. Blinds also don’t block out all light, as some still peeks through their slats.
Shades, in contrast, are window coverings made of a single unit. Usually made of fabric, they come in a wide variety of styles and materials. Shades are also more customizable than blinds and block out much more light. In addition, shades provide insulation by blocking heat and cold, which can help save you money in the long run.
But if durability is something you are looking for, shades won’t be your first choice. Fabric wears down over time and doesn’t react well with humidity. Shades also aren’t as flexible as blinds in adjusting your light/privacy ratio. But they are easier to clean than blinds and can be wiped down or laundered in one piece.
Now that you know the differences between blinds and shades, you have the tools you need to decide which type of window coverings are right for your home.