Window coverings are the backbone of every interior. They are capable to breathe life into an ordinary interior. Window coverings now have a big versatile family from window blinds to curtains, shades to shutters.
Each window covering has some plus and some minuses depending upon the needs and situation of the user. In the past window coverings are only made out of naturally available resources, most commonly made with animal hides. Now they are still made with natural sources but also with synthetic materials, PVC as the most common one.
Window blinds vs curtains, more like modern vs traditional. Both are top window coverings indeed. Window blinds are generally a new player as compared to curtains. Curtains are hundred and hundreds of years old.
Let’s explore both of these from different perspectives. If you are looking to choose one from them then first you need to analyze your interior and answer a few questions.
Questions like.
Are you in need of good privacy and light control?
Are you in need of good energy efficiency or insulation?
Did you want a modern or traditional look?
Is it ok to go high regarding budget?
Is that a good-looking interior just you want?
Keep these in mind for better understanding. Note: All these are our observations and recommendations.
Window Blinds
They are one of the top preferred window covering mostly because people are good to go in having a class in their interior on an affordable budget. Almost all major types of window blinds are quite cheaper than other major ones of shades and curtains.
Design
Window blinds design is quite timeless, it can sync in any interior no matter what is the style. It syncs so well that when properly finished it can make the interior to shine like a single entity.
In the standard window blinds design, there are slats. The number of slats varies according to the type of window blind. These slats are made upon the functionality of getting tilted by a cord or chain attached to each slat.
Slats can’t be tilted independently. They are can provide a user to adjust and position the slats according to their will and need. The slats can be horizontal and also be vertical. The change in direction leads to different outcomes.
There are also fabric-based window blinds, roller blinds and roman blinds are the most common ones there. In these window blinds, there are no slats, they are generally a flat single panel of fabric that has lots of variety. They have an up-and-down operating mechanism.
Materials Options
Window blinds are made out of both natural and synthetic materials. The most common window blinds like wood blinds are made of real wood like basswood mostly. Some options are made with different kinds of metal such as aluminum blinds. there are also materials like PVC, vinyl, and faux wood on which most of the window blinds are manufactured.
Curtains
They are one of the oldest window coverings. They survive for so long indicating how useful they are for interior décor. Curtains are enough as a luxurious décor. It is not wrong in saying that curtains are the most luxurious window covering humans ever made.
Design
The curtains have a very simple but impactful design. They are just pieces of high-end fabric laying down and hanging with a rod that is mostly a metal rod. There are holes at the top of the curtain’s fabric through which the rod is passing. Their simplicity makes them outclass in any sort of interior to make it look complete.
Fabrics
In curtains, there is the biggest variety regarding fabrics. Curtains can be hard and thick and also be light. Choose wisely according to your need not because of the picture you see on the internet. The most common and popular types of fabric on which a curtain is made are cotton, linen, silk, polyester, voile, damask weave, and nylon. All have a luxurious look.
Which one is good for privacy and light control?
Both can be good for maintaining privacy and managing light. In window blinds, you have more functionality so you have more control over light there, you can position the slats for the desired brightness of the light. Curtains are good for much better privacy and also for blackout if you have thick and heavy fabric.
Which one is easy to clean?
Window blinds can be easier to clean in the sense that they can clean without even uninstalling them. Window blinds are hard and slick, so mostly dust can’t be sticking to them. You can clean them with a damp cloth and if there is major cleaning required then window blinds are easy to uninstall, so separate them from their hardware and clean them maturely.
Avoid using excess water cleaning window blinds that are made with real wood because it can cause the real wood to expand.
Curtains require effort to clean as compared to window blinds. they are fabric based so if there are major efforts required then uninstalling them is obvious. Although it is easy to uninstall them, but the process of cleaning is time-consuming.
Which one is good for the budget?
Window blinds are surely unbeaten there. Ready-made window blinds are seriously affordable but custom-made window blinds are one of the most expensive ones. But when it comes down to custom-made curtains they are much more expensive than custom-made window blinds.
Finally…Are they worth the money?
Both are worthy of it. Both of these fascinating window covering isn’t going out of fashion anywhere soon but as people become more aware of them more will are going for them making them the hottest window covering.
