On their own, windows are really just holes in the walls. But add a window covering like shades, blinds or shutters and you suddenly have privacy, control over the amount of sunlight that fills the area and a better-looking room.
The main purposes of window blinds are to offer you privacy and control over the light that enters your home, but there are a number of other roles that window blinds fulfil too.
"Blinds offer the most light control with a variety of tilting options. Blinds or shades can be paired with drapery to enhance windows in any part of the home." While each type of window treatment has its own unique set of characteristics, all of them can be used to transform any room.
Designers consider window shades and blinds essential for many reasons. But there are so many options — how do you choose the right ones? Most windows need a little help from window coverings to manage light levels or provide privacy. But sometimes it's just about making them look their best.
While window treatments can help to add value to your home, there are some cases when the opposite holds true. If the blinds or shutters are outdated or in disrepair, that may end up lowering the value. Likewise, inexpensive plastic blinds purchased at hardware or home goods stores won't add anything to your home.
Study: Curtains or blinds should ALWAYS be closed to get a healthy night's sleep. The research team discovered that moderate light exposure caused the body to go into a higher alert state.
On the other hand, blinds will need to be cleaned more often. In addition, blinds are less efficient at keeping in the heat. The window blind slats can easily get damaged, especially if you choose aluminium or plastic blinds. Blind cords can be a hazard around young children.
One easy way to save energy is by installing blinds or shades in your home. Did you know that you could lose up to 30% of your home's energy through your windows? As much as the natural light streaming through our windows brightens up our lives, the heat and cold that comes along with it can sometimes be overwhelming.
Leaving them closed during the day makes it look like there's no one at home so best to leave them open and get security lighting. Try not to leave valuable items, such as your TV, stereo or computer, where thieves can see them.
No, you don't need curtains with blinds for any functional or aesthetic reasons; certainly not in the same way that most of us would say that you'd need curtains or blinds as well as a voile or net at the window.
They were mainly used to block out the cold and were constructed of wood or fabric. With new fabrics and patterns, window coverings have become more adaptable and simple to use. Window blinds are a common option for many homeowners today because of the variety of designs and hues available.
These curtain fabrics allow natural light to filter into the room, helping you create a brighter atmosphere while maintaining a modest degree of privacy. The beauty of layering blinds and curtains together is that you can have both styles. You can use a blackout blind and pair it with a sheer curtain.
The right blinds or shades selection can greatly improve privacy. Options like Roman shades or faux wood blinds look gorgeous, block prying eyes, and reveal natural light when wanted. And when windows are properly covered, it's easier to relax and enjoy your home.
Generally, what you see outside through blinds during the day is what others will see inside at night. A blackout blind is a great option if you're looking for 100% privacy. You can see through most types of blinds at night as long as they're not blackout blinds.
Window blinds—vertical (Venetian blinds) or horizontal slat-type (louvered-type)—are effective at reducing summer heat gain and reducing glare, while providing good daylight indoors.
First of all, a burglar will usually only break into places that have sure treasures. So closing your blinds or curtains will prevent this exact information from being known, which cuts the chance of your place being burglarized in ha half.
How Long Do Blinds Last? The average lifespan of window treatments is seven to eight years but homeowners may want to replace their blinds even before then. Otherwise, old and worn-out blinds in your Philadelphia home might become unsafe and unsightly.
The answer is 'yes', certain types of blinds will trap a layer of air between the fabric and the glass, helping to keep out the cold coming in from your windows. Professionally fitted thermal blinds can be an energy efficient way to keep the heat in and the cold out.
“It is important to maintain as dark of a room as possible while you're sleeping,” says Dr. Phyllis Zee, a neurologist at Northwestern University, founder of the Center for Circadian and Sleep Medicine at the Feinberg School of Medicine, and co-author of both studies mentioned above.
Open blinds and curtains
While energy efficient blinds and curtains are great for sealing in warm air, they can also cause cold pockets of air on your windows to reach dew point and form condensation. It's this condensation that offers a breeding ground for mould spores.
Shades are much more customizable than blinds. They're available with upgraded fabric collections, fabric wrapped valances to cover hardware, fabric fold styles, fabric liners and lift systems like top-down/bottom-up, cordless or motorized.
Why do people close the blinds at night? To stop people outside being able to see in. In other words, for privacy. It also stops people who have an intent to steal from being able to take inventory of your possessions.
Opening Your Blinds During the Day Is a Good Safety Practice
This can be a great deterrent to thieves or vandals. If you automate your blinds to open and close at different points during the day, it will really appear as if someone is at home as well.
If your window recess is very narrow (as per the table above) you might find that some styles of blinds won't fit snugly inside of the recess and will instead stick out into the room to a degree, in which case you'll almost certainly think they look better hung outside of the recess instead.