When it comes to window treatments, there are many options out there. These include curtains, blinds, shades, and shutters. All of which offer different benefits depending on your needs.
The most popular window treatment is curtains and blinds. Today many of us don’t know when to use curtains and when to use blinds. Therefore they want to know about curtain vs blinds, which is better for them.
In this article, we will tell you the difference between these two window treatments. And we are also going to tell you which one is right for your home or office. So let’s get started without wasting any time.
The Benefits of Curtains
Have you ever wondered why curtains became so popular for window treatment throughout the world? Well, here are some of the many benefits of curtains.
Provide More Privacy than Blinds:
You can add privacy to a room with window coverings if you use curtains. They can help you keep prying eyes from looking in while still allowing low light and air to come in through the window.
They will ensure that your home is shielded from any unwanted attention, especially when you are in a place where everyone has access to your yard or street. So it is a popular window treatment for residential and commercial spaces.
Better Insulation than Blinds:
Oftentimes, people forget that window coverings with curtains also provide insulation for their homes. These shutters block the heat from getting into or leaving your home. This is especially great for the winter season when you want to avoid heating up the entire house just because of one room.
Come in a variety of Colors and Styles:
Today, curtains are available in many different colors, fabrics, and styles. You can get sheer curtains that will allow some light into your rooms while still providing a great view. Or you can choose a thick curtain that blocks out all light and provides a lot of insulation.
Additionally, there are many fabric curtains to choose from, including pinch pleats, French pleats, tab tops, pencil pleats, or even cafe curtains that look great in restaurants or cafes.
Offer Better Soundproofing:
Soundproofing is a great benefit of curtains. These shutters are a simple way to decrease the noise from outside, traffic, or even your neighbors. This is due to the fact that most window treatments absorb sound rather than bounce it off of surfaces like walls and floors.
The Benefits of Blinds
Blinds have become extremely popular today because of the many great benefits they offer. Here is a list of some blind benefits:
Usually Cheaper than Curtains:
Blinds are usually cheaper to buy and install. They come in a variety of styles, so you can choose one that best suits your budget. The cheapest window covering will be the plastic ones, but you can get wooden or aluminum blinds if you want a more elegant look.
Range from Simple to Complex Designs:
Blinds come in many different sizes and shapes. The most common types are vertical, roman, roller, and Venetian blinds.
Venetian blinds, sometimes called horizontal blinds, consist of a series of horizontal slats. Vertical blinds, on the other hand, are made up of many vertical slats. The shutters can either have horizontal or vertical slats.
Roller blinds are made up of a tube that is rolled out to cover the window. They are usually made from aluminum, PVC or wood.
Roman blinds are a type of window treatment that is made up of many vertical folds. They are often used in decorating the door or even the wall.
They also come in two different shades, which include the shade that goes all the way to the top and the second with an opening at the bottom to allow light in.
More than a Window Pane Than Curtains:
Blinds are more functional than curtains. They come with different parts that can be controlled separately. You can adjust the window covering. This is an amazing benefit you don’t find with curtains. Since most curtains work together, they are not very easy to control.
Offer More Light Control Than Curtains:
Blinds are made of different materials. This makes them the perfect way to enter natural light to your home. They are ideal for blocking light out in order to prevent overheating or glare.
Easier to Clean Than Curtains:
They are very easy to clean. All you need is a simple vacuum and dusting rag and your shutters will look great again. This is because most blinds have a hard surface with ridges allowing dust to collect.
But maintenance curtains are easier than blinds when you keep the curtains closed.
Last Longer Than Curtains:
Blinds will last longer than curtains. This is because there are many different parts that make up these shutters. Each part has its own lifespan, but as a whole, they can last for decades.
In order to keep your curtain panels looking great for a long time, you have to take them out and have them dry-cleaned. This is not cheap and can cost hundreds of dollars each year just to keep your curtains looking brand new.
More Noise Reduction Than Curtains:
Noise reduction can be an important factor to consider when shopping for window treatments. Blinds offer more options than curtains for reducing sound between rooms.
Curtains vs Blinds: What is the Difference in Fabric?
There are some significant differences between the fabrics used for curtains and blinds. The following are the most common ones:
Curtain Fabrics:
Curtains are made from many different materials. The most popular include cotton, silk, polyester, velvet and linen.
01. Natural Materials Often Make Curtains:
Curtains are often lined with fabrics like linen or cotton which are more natural than other types of fabrics. These natural fibers tend to be better insulators causing the rooms to stay warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.
02. Synthetic Materials Often Make Blinds:
Blinds are often made from synthetic fabrics like polyester, which is a more common material for outdoor use. This type of fabric tends to be stronger and more durable than natural materials used for curtains. It is also easier to clean and can be used outdoors.
Blinds Materials:
Blinds are usually made of different materials including:
01. Wood:
Some of the most popular types of blinds are made from wood including pine, cedar, and mahogany. These types of window coverings tend to be more high-end and elegant.
02. Metal:
Metal is a classic material for home use and often makes up the metal blinds available today. These types of indoor shutters can stand up to harsh weather conditions while still being stylish.
03. Plastic:
Some blinds are made from plastic and come in many different colors and types of materials like faux wood and bamboo. They are more budget-friendly than the other options available today.
04. Fabric:
Fabric is another popular material for blinds and comes in many different colors and patterns. Fabric blinds tend to be more stylish than other types of materials available today.
05. Custom:
Custom blinds are usually made from a combination of the materials listed above and can include anything you want them to. You can even ask your manufacturer if they can add any special features like a more stylish color or a material that is more resistant to damage.
If you are looking for the highest quality window treatment, then it’s probably best to go with wood blinds or faux wood blinds.
When choosing a fabric for your curtains, it is important to consider if you want them to stand up to everyday wear and tear or if you want them to be more stylish and not as durable. Blinds tend to last much longer than curtains.
Blinds vs Curtains: Which is the Best Window Treatment?
When deciding between blinds or curtains it really depends on what you feel most comfortable with.
When it comes to durability, you need to choose blinds. They are stronger than many types of curtains and can last for years, even in harsh weather conditions.
When choosing between them, it usually comes down to the budget that you have available for your home improvement project. They are more expensive.
However, if you decide to dress your windows in the end, remember that you can always alter your decision down the road. If you choose to go with curtains and they just aren’t working for you, then there is no harm in changing them out for window covers later.
But considering all the benefits, I personally like blinds better for offices and curtains for bedrooms.
How to Measure for Curtains or Blinds?
Measuring for curtains or blinds does not have to be difficult. In general, you will want to measure from the top of the window down to where you would like your window covering to fall. You should then add about four inches more on each side for a good-looking curtain rod.
Blinds are slightly easier to measure because they are usually hung vertically. You should measure the width of the window, then add about two inches more to each side for a good looking blind installation.
It is also important to note where you want your window covers to stop falling when measuring because measurements are sometimes taken from this point on down. Measurements are generally taken from where you want the curtain rod to stop on each side of the window.
How to Install Curtains or Blinds?
It’s important to install curtains or blinds correctly to avoid wasting time and money. When hanging one of the window coverings, it is important that they fall perfectly straight down when pulled back.
Step 01. Measuring Holes:
Make a tiny pencil mark in each corner of the wall where you want your rod to sit. If window covering is not done correctly, it will cause a mess and even cause them to fall out of their brackets.
Step 02. Drilling Holes:
Use a drill with a drill bit slightly smaller than the screws that came with your rods and carefully drill directly through each pencil mark on the wall. When drilling, make sure the drill is perpendicular to the wall at all times, so you do not wind up with a crooked rod.
Step 03. Putting up Rod:
Now that you have your holes drilled, it is time to put up the curtain rods. If you find that your curtain or blind installation is tighter on one side, use a pen or pencil to make a slight mark on the wall where the rod should be placed.
For the majority of blinds, brackets are installed either above or on your window sill.
Step 04. Hanging Curtains & Blinds:
Now you have to install blinds or curtains that were ordered with the installation kit. In general, you should hang your curtains or blinds at least six inches above the window frame.
Step 05. Finishing Touches:
Finally, you will want to hang anything decorative on the curtain rods, such as finials and tiebacks, and then all that is left is simply slip any curtains or shades onto their rods and then enjoy.
FAQs:
01. Can I Combine the Two Window Treatment Options to Get the Most Benefit?
Answer: Yes, you can combine them for different rooms in your home. They provide exceptional light control so you can have the perfect atmosphere in each room.
02. Do Blinds or Curtains Look Better?
Answer: The truth is that both of them can look wonderful in any room. It really depends on which you prefer and what atmosphere you want your room to have. Curtains tend to look more traditional while blinds can be a little more modern looking.
03. Is it Cheaper to have Curtains or Blinds?
Answer: Yes, buying curtains is generally cheaper than blinds. This is because curtains tend to be made from lighter materials, while blinds are made from heavier materials.
04. Do I Need Both Blinds and Curtains?
Answer: It depends on what type of window dressing look you are going for in your home. If you want to use curtains, then it is best to have blinds that can control light for other rooms in your house where they are not necessary.
05. Do Blinds or Curtains Make a Room Look Bigger?
Answer: Virtually curtains make a room look bigger, but blinds can make the room look smaller. If you want your window dressing to make your room look larger, then it is best to go with curtains.
If you want your window treatment to make your room look smaller, then it is best to go with blinds.
Conclusion:
Choosing the right window treatment can be a difficult decision for many homeowners. Both types of window dressings provide exceptional light control and warmth for your home.
It is a big question mark in many people’s minds about curtain vs blinds. However, most people prefer the look of curtains in their bedrooms, dining rooms and living rooms while using blinds in their home offices, kitchens, and other areas that benefit from light control.
Now that you have read through our guide. We hope this article will clear up any confusion so that you can make an informed decision when shopping.