The Confusing World of Blinds and Shades

If you think about it, there are probably very few homes, apartments or condominiums without some kind of window covering. And, yet, this ubiquitous household item seems to fly under just about everyone’s radar - that is until we need them.

Window treatments are not a sexy topic, let’s face. But, we all need them and I believe they are underrated and under-appreciated. It is also my experience that there is a lot of confusion about blinds or shades. There seems to be so many choices, colors, sizes, and functions. Then there are other issues like, how to measure your windows and how to install them. For the uninitiated, I imagine that selecting, purchasing and installing blinds can seem like a real pain. So people turn to professionals and end up spending much more than is necessary. This article is intended to address the most common questions and confusion points, help you get past them, be more satisfied with your purchase and hopefully even save you some money.

One of the most common areas of confusion exists in measuring, specifically height versus width versus depth. So which is which? The height of a blind or shade is how tall it is when it is fully covering the window, normally the long vertical axis of a window (up and down). A simpler way to think of this is the part of the window shade that moves up and down. This doesn’t hold true for window shutters. The width of a blind or shade is the horizontal axis of the window (side to side) and the depth is the space between the window casing and the actual window. A simple way to visualize depth is to imagine where you’d put a pie to cool in the window. All these measurements are extremely important because they will determine the finished look of the installed window treatment, as well as the functionality.

Another common issue that comes up is less about confusion but more about satisfaction, and that is ordering samples. Most window treatments retailers offer free samples so that you can see for yourself whether or not the blind, shade or shutter is the right color and how it might look in your window. This is generally a must and will reduce or eliminate any unwanted surprises.

The next common issue is, once people receive their blinds, they don’t take the time to read the instructions. Most of the manufacturers have gone to considerable effort to help you with your new purchase. I know - reading instructions can be a real drag but it is generally necessary and can often help you avoid common mistakes.

Narrowing your options will help avoid the next area of confusion. Here are some basic discovery questions that you should ask yourself before you start your process. Do you want the blind or shade to add insulation to your window? If so, consider cellular shades, or other shades with an insulating liner. Also, there are types of shutters that offer insulation. How much light do you want in your room? Do you want room darkening, blackout, or light filtering? If you want to preserve your view even when the shade is closed, consider sheer shades or solar screens. If you want room darkening, the choices are vast, from mini blinds to shutters to pleated and cellular shades. If you want true room darkening, consider roller shades or other shades with a blackout liner. You just need to know what you want in advance so you are not surprised when you install your windows.

The next two areas of confusion are measuring and installing. Measuring your blinds is easy. My advice is to go to You Tube and search for “measuring for blinds and shades.” There are numerous helpful and simple videos that will walk you through the process. It only takes a few minutes. Installing window treatments also seems to get a bad rap. But it is much easier than you think. I was told once that if you can hang a mirror than you can install blinds. Again, I advice that you read the instructions that come with your purchase and make sure you have a few very basic tools like a screwdriver, preferably an electric screwdriver, to save your wrists. All the other parts come from the manufacturer. There are also videos on the internet that will help guide you through this process.

The last issue and point of confusion is understanding the available options. The most common option is top down/bottom up. This is a privacy option common for bathroom and bedroom windows, wherein the shade can be closed but you can let the top portion of the window down so that you let in light but people can peer into your room. Or, you can lift the bottom portion up when you just want to let in light. This is a common option for all types of shades liked pleated shades and roman shades.