So, you’re thinking about buying curtains for a new house or you want to replace your old ones. But whatever the situation is, it all comes down to this: What do you want to do? Options for window treatments is a little like choosing from a pallet of different colors. How much light do you want in? How much light do you want to keep out? What are the best materials for this? Are there other options aside from curtains and drapes? You may also consider functionality as well, but more often than not they are designed with both functionality and beauty, giving you the best of both worlds.
Some window treatments are designed with energy efficiency in mind that can potentially save on heating and cooling costs. Insulated curtains and drapes can do both functions of keeping a room warm, as well as keeping it cool once the weather warms up.
Different window treatments allow for different types of light control. Both curtains and drapes can fulfill this function. If you want as little light as possible you may want to check in with what is called “blackout” material, which is designed specifically for this. Some brands sell blackout drapes or curtains that have a triple-weave fabric that help in reducing the amount of light coming in from outside. These may be ideal for those sleeping during the day but can also be good if there is streetlight or similar things outside of the house as well. They are also good for insulation as well and would be a good idea for colder weather.
For those who don’t want this much blockage or want more versatility in controlling the amount of light, they can go with a type that can still darken a room but isn’t blackout. Blinds are a good choice for this. Types of blinds include cellular shades, rollers, shutters and venetians. Blinds can be good for reducing heat and might save you in costs for cooling your house. You can also go for light-filtering shades that allow some light in but keeps UV rays out.
But if you want to have more light in the house, you can always go for sheer curtains as they are cut and woven for that purpose. These provide a similar kind of light-filtering as blinds do, but they may be more pleasing to the eye to some people. Sheer curtains and drapes are a nice idea for those with more of a decorative purpose in mind.
If you want to do something a little different, however, you can shake things up with window film. Window film may end up being more limited than drapes and curtains, but as a decorative feature, they’re still an interesting choice. But aside from being an artistic or decorative feature, they also allow for light control as well, but you won’t be able to direct the amount of light as they are laid out on window panes similar to laying out wallpaper. Film often comes in patterns, often floral and nature-themed, but there’s a whole host of options out there. Sizes vary and can fit any size ranging from small to relatively large.
Most home and garden retail stores will carry these, so it shouldn’t be daunting to find whether you’re going for curtains, drapes, blinds or film. It may be overwhelming with the number of options that are available but take the time and carefully consider what you want to do. The house is like a canvas and the window is one of the parts of your pallet in which to transform your home into the one you truly want.
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