Beige cellular shades over a wide window seat.

What To Know About Window Shades Vs Blinds In Minneapolis

August 11, 2022

You’ll undoubtedly see a lot of window blinds and shades whenever you search for window treatments for your Minneapolis residence. Window shades use fabric panels that you bring down over your windows to shield them. You also raise or lower window blinds, but they are constructed with solid materials with slats that can turn. Which product is right for your home? Here’s what you ought to know about window shades vs. blinds in Minneapolis.

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

Gray blinds on a large window next to a couch.

Both window blinds and shades will cover your windows in Minneapolis, but blinds give you improved command over sunlight and privacy. You may pull down blinds to block out your window. Then rotate a rod to open and close the slats for different amounts of sunlight and privacy. But keep in mind that shoddy blinds with bent or broken slats will leave large spaces. Premium wood or faux-wood blinds provide a higher degree of control over privacy and light.

Window shades envelop your window using a panel of fabric and have limited options for giving you partial natural light and privacy, however sheer and transitional shades have coverings that simulate the function of blind slats. Or you can utilize top-down/bottom-up options that permit you to uncover the higher reaches of your window for a dose of natural light while keeping your privacy in the lower half.

Customized blinds and shades that fit inside your windows without extra space or overhanging offer the ideal covering. However, since they don’t affix around the framework the way other options like plantation shutters do, you will likely notice sunlight around their edges, particularly if they are knocked into or caught in a breeze. Even though blinds afford some authority over the amount and direction of sunlight, plantation shutters allow even more choices for directing exterior light.

Cellular Shades Offer Energy Savings Not Available With Blinds

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

Specialized window treatments will insulate your windows and help reduce energy expenses. When it comes to window blinds vs. shades in Minneapolis, shades win the energy efficiency comparison–namely cellular shades. Blinds, unfortunately, afford practically no insulation due to their slender materials and numerous spaces.

Cellular shades get their name from the built-in “cells” that their pleated construction results in. Those pleats come together accordion-style as you raise the shades and collect air coming through your windows when you pull the shades down. When ensnaring outside air, they prevent it from infiltrating your home and changing the indoor temperature. This is great as your HVAC equipment doesn’t burn as much energy to sustain the comfort levels of your Minneapolis property. But as you might expect, neither blinds nor shades are able to come close to the incredible efficiency of Polywood® shutters with their patented thermal protection.

Window Shades Have More Varieties To Select From

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

The appearance of your window treatments is just as important as the other benefits they provide. In this case, the decision between window shades vs. blinds in Minneapolis boils down to personal tastes. Vinyl and aluminum blinds are offered in a wide range of colors but tend to fall apart in little time. More durable wood and faux-wood blinds come in an assortment of popular stain colors and have additional customizing possibilities. Their steady slats and crisp edges will look most attractive in your property.

Window shades bring much more variation in styles, materials, colors, patterns, and opacities. You can pick any type of window treatment from sheer neutral roller shades to pleated Roman shades to textured woven fiber shades. It’s simple to discover a window shade that matches your decor with an abundance of options to choose from.

Explore More About Window Blinds Vs Shades In Minneapolis With Sunburst Shutters Minneapolis

Blinds, shades, or shutters, Sunburst has them all! Let us display how our exceptional window treatments look in your Minneapolis property during a complimentary in-home consultation. Get yours scheduled today by phoning 952-856-8130 or completing the following form.

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