Amongst all of the window coverings available, the window shade and blinds are the most popular options. However, when choosing between the two, people tend to encounter tough decisions. For the record, shade and blinds are different window coverings which is why it should be easy for you to choose which one best fits your needs.

You must familiarize yourself with these two window covering options to help you choose which one is best for your home according to your needs.

The Difference Between Blinds and Shades

Even though blinds and shades are interchangeably used by many, both have differences from one another. You have to know that blinds are window covers featuring separate slats that can be tilted open and close.

The blinds slats can be horizontal or vertical and can be usually made from PVC, wood, faux wood, bamboo, vinyl, and aluminum.

Shade on the other hand is a one-piece, solid type of window covering. It is commonly made from soft textiles. Shades often come in a variety of styles such as roman shades, roller shades, and cellular shades.

No matter which you choose from the two you will surely get the purpose it is intended for. Both can cover your windows perfectly for added privacy and aesthetics. Maybe that is why shades or blinds are often used interchangeably because they only have very few differences.

The Pros and Cons of Shades

Familiarize window shades further by knowing their sets of pros and cons. Use this information in deciding whether a window shade is the right window covering for you or not.

The Pros

• Window shades are more energy-efficient compared to blinds especially the honeycomb cellular shade type. The pockets of the shade will trap the air inside creating effective insulation and keeps the hot air out and the cool air conditioning inside.
• When it comes to privacy, shades can provide you with maximum privacy inside your home. If you use window shades, you will never have to put them up just to let the light inside. The fabric used in shades will allow light to penetrate even while it is kept down. This feature will give maximum privacy that blinds can not give.
• Shades have more styles available giving your home vast options of aesthetics. You can choose from different shade fabrics, colours, and patterns that will compliment your home’s interior design.

The Cons

• Window shade treatments are expensive. This is the reason why some homeowners only use shades for certain rooms where they think a shade is needed more.
• Shades do not provide great natural light control. This is because of the design of the shade and the materials used.
• When it comes to maintenance, shade can be very tedious. Window shade materials can be also sensitive and will need gentle maintenance.

The Pros and Cons of Blinds

If window shade treatments have their pros and cons, window blinds aren’t that good or bad either. Check out the boons and the banes of blinds and compare them with the window shade.

The Pros

• Blinds are a less expensive option. If you are on a strict budget but wanted to change your window coverings, then window blinds can be your best bet. Because it is less expensive, you can opt to cover all your windows with blinds providing you with a more uniform look.
• Window blinds are very easy to maintain. You will just have to wipe each slat with a damp cloth and your blinds will be good as new. This the best window coverings if you or other members of your household have allergies and asthma triggered by dust or pollen.
• When you are looking for window coverings that provide you with better light control then you must go with blinds. Because you can tilt the slats open and close, you can easily control how much light comes inside your house.

The Cons

• When it comes to energy efficiency, blinds will surely fail. Because its slats are separate, chances are that the cold air inside will penetrate through the slat gaps and so will the hot air outside.
• Although blinds can still provide some privacy, it is not at its maximum. You will have to open the blind slats or put the entire blinds up completely to let the natural light come in. And if you do this, the inside of your home will be openly visible from the outside.
• Blinds have a limited option for design. Although it has different styles and materials, it still has very limited options when it comes to aesthetic value.

Which Window Covering Is Best for Each Space in Your Home

If you love the advantages of both window treatments, you can just mix and match them inside your home. You can just choose a specific room where you think a shade is more essential and install blinds on the other.

For The Bathroom

Because the bathroom requires a material that is moisture resistant while providing great privacy, a blind made from PVC or vinyl is the best option for this area. PVC and vinyl are great moisture-resistant materials that are best for wet places such as your bathroom.

You can also easily wipe off moisture on each slat if needed. Plus, blinds can still provide great privacy inside your bathroom if kept closed all the time especially if you are taking a shower.

In the Bedroom

Just like the bathroom, your bedroom is also a place that you will be needing maximum privacy. But, unlike with the bathroom, your bedroom does not produce moisture which is why a window shade can be a great option in this area.

A roller shade can be your best deal when it comes to covering your bedroom window. It does not only provide you with maximum privacy, it can as well great in pairing with your bedroom decor and design. Moreover, you can also make a roller shade rise and fall anytime you want.

In the Living Room

The living room is considered the center of your home. This is where you typically welcome guests and usually do not need too much privacy. A living room should be inviting and warm which is why wood blinds can be a great addition to the space.

The earthy and natural tone that a wood blind can produce makes your living room welcoming. Additionally, wood blinds can be easily cleaned which is best for everyday cleaning.

The Kitchen

For your kitchen, it is recommended that you choose a window treatment that provides it with an open and airy look but can still block the glare from the outside. You do not need maximum privacy in your kitchen. So, you can opt for a thin covering that is also enough to block the glare.

It should as well be put up high enough to avoid oil and water splashing on the material while you cook or do the dishes. The Roman shade is the recommended type of window treatment that will give all the features necessary for a kitchen space.

Because it is a shade, you can just choose the right fabric that can protect you from glare while giving an airy feel. Plus, you can choose a nice pattern that will look pretty along with all your kitchen decors.

In Conclusion

Both window covering provides great privacy, design, and glare blockage. It will just come down to the cost that you are willing to spend and the effort you can give in maintaining such window covering. At the end of the day, it is still up to you which is best according to your preference.