Beige cellular shades over a wide window seat.

Everything About Window Shades Vs Blinds In Raleigh

August 11, 2022

You’ll undoubtedly see many window blinds and shades whenever you are looking for window coverings for your Raleigh home. Window shades use fabric panels that you pull down over your windows to conceal them. You also lower window blinds, but they are constructed with solid materials with slats you may turn. Which product works best for your house? Explore what you ought to know about window shades vs. blinds in Raleigh.

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

Gray blinds on a large window next to a couch.

Both window blinds and shades will shield your windows in Raleigh, but blinds offer improved control over sunlight and privacy. You are able to lower blinds to cover your window. Then twist a wand to open and close the slats for the right amount of light and privacy. Just know that cheaply made blinds with bent or damaged slats will leave large spaces. Premium wood or faux-wood blinds provide a higher degree of control over privacy and exterior light.

Window shades cover your window using a sheet of fabric and have not much capability for giving you partial light and privacy, but sheer and zebra or transitional shades use coverings that simulate the function of blind slats. Or you might utilize top-down/bottom-up varieties that allow you to expose the upper part of your window for a dose of natural light while protecting your privacy below.

Custom blinds and shades that fit exactly inside your windows with no extra space or overhanging give you the most complete treatment. However, since they don’t surround the window frame the way other options like louvered shutters do, you will likely observe sunlight along their borders, particularly if they happen to be jostled or blown by a wind gust. Although blinds afford some management over the direction and amount of light, interior shutters allow even more choices for controlling exterior light.

Cellular Shades Offer Energy Savings That Blinds Can’t

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 lower energy bills. In the battle of window blinds vs. shades in Raleigh, shades are the winner in terms of efficiency–namely cellular shades. Blinds, on the other hand, afford little to no insulation in light of their thin components and numerous openings.

Cellular shades get their name from the built-in “cells” that their unique pleated design creates. Those pleats neatly fold together accordion-style whenever you raise the shades and trap air entering from your windows when you pull the shades down. When trapping outside air, they prevent it from infiltrating your residence and impacting the indoor temperature. This is great as your HVAC unit doesn’t burn as much energy to sustain the comfort levels of your Raleigh property. But as you might expect, you won’t find any blinds or shades that are able to match the incredible efficiency of Polywood® shutters with their exclusive thermal protection.

Window Shades Have More Styles To Choose From

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

The look of your window coverings is just as important as their light, privacy, and efficiency abilities. In many cases, the battle of window shades vs. blinds in Raleigh boils down to unique design requirements. Metal and vinyl blinds come in many different colors but wear down quickly. Sturdier wood and faux-wood blinds are available in a variety of popular stain colors and have additional customization options. Their firm slats and crisp edges will look very classy in your interior.

Window shades bring quite a bit more choice in terms of styles, materials, colors, patterns, and opacities. You can select any number of possibilities from sheer beige roller shades to pleated Roman shades to natural woven fiber shades. It’s easy to discover a window shade that fits your decor with an abundance of options waiting for you.

Find Out More About Window Blinds Vs Shades In Raleigh With Sunburst Shutters Raleigh

Shutters, blinds and shades, Sunburst has you covered! Give us a chance to show you how our exceptional window treatments look in your Raleigh home during a complimentary in-home consultation. Schedule yours today by calling 919-887-9198 or filling out the form on this page.

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