Beige cellular shades over a wide window seat.

What To Know About Window Shades Vs Blinds In Chicago

August 11, 2022

You’ll definitely find a lot of window blinds and shades when you search for window treatments for your Chicago home. Window shades are made with fabric that you pull down over your windows to shield them. You will also pull down window blinds, but they are built from firm materials with slats that can tilt up or down. Which one is right for your windows? Here’s what you ought to know about window shades vs. blinds in Chicago.

Most Window Blinds Have More Ways Than Shades For Managing Exterior Light And Privacy

Gray blinds on a large window next to a couch.

Both window blinds and shades will cover your windows in Chicago, but blinds give you additional control over exterior light and privacy. You can pull down blinds to block out your window. Then turn a bar to open and close the slats for the right amount of sunlight and privacy. But you should realize that second-rate blinds with bowed or damaged slats will create large openings. Premium wood or faux-wood blinds offer a higher degree of authority over privacy and sunlight.

Window shades cover your window with a panel of fabric and have not much capability for offering different levels sunlight and privacy, although sheer and transitional shades have panels that are similar in function to blind slats. Or you can try top-down/bottom-up varieties that allow you to uncover the higher reaches of your window for light while protecting your privacy in the lower half.

Custom shades and blind that fit exactly within your windows with an absence of openings or overhang give you the ideal treatment. But keep in mind, since they don’t affix around the window frame in the same manner that other window treatments like louvered shutters do, you might observe light around their borders, particularly if they get knocked into or caught in a gust of air. And while blinds afford a bit of management over where sunlight shines and how much, louvered shutters allow even more choices for directing exterior light.

Cellular Shades Provide Energy Savings That Blinds Can’t

Light gray cellular shades on three separate windows in large light wood and beige colored living room.

The right window coverings will provide insulation for your windows and help keep energy costs down. When comparing window blinds vs. shades in Chicago, shades win the energy efficiency comparison–particularly cellular shades. Blinds, on the other hand, offer almost zero insulation in light of their slim components and multiple openings.

Cellular shades get their name from the built-in “cells” that their unique pleated design creates. The pleats come together like an accordion as you draw up the shades and trap air coming through your windows if you pull down the shades. When trapping exterior air, they keep it from entering your property and altering the interior temperature. That means your air treatment unit doesn’t burn as much energy to maintain the comfort of your Chicago home. But as you might expect, you won’t find any blinds or shades that are able to come close to the energy-efficient power of Polywood® shutters with their patented thermal protection.

Window Shades Offer More Varieties To Select From

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

How your window treatments look is just as vital as their light, privacy, and efficiency abilities. For many homeowners, the question of window shades vs. blinds in Chicago boils down to personal tastes. Metal and vinyl blinds are available in various colors but break down rapidly. Sturdier wood and faux-wood blinds come in several preferred wood stains or paints and have additional customization options. Their firm slats and straight lines will look quite appealing in your home.

Window shades give you much more types of styles, materials, colors, patterns, and opacities. You can select anything from sheer white roller shades to pleated Roman shades to textured woven fiber shades. It’s easy to locate a window shade that blends into your unique interior with so many options to choose from.

Learn More About Window Blinds Vs Shades In Chicago At Sunburst Shutters Chicago

Blinds, shades, or shutters, Sunburst has everything you need! Give us a chance to show you how our exceptional window treatments look in your Chicago residence with a no-cost in-home consultation. Get yours scheduled today by calling 847-250-6544 or completing the form on this page.

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