At first glance, window treatments can seem an almost peripheral concern. After all, you might suppose, all you really need to do is cover the windows to make sure people don’t see in.
But when you think about it, treatments are about so much more than privacy. What you use to cover your windows can determine how much light enters the room, how much heat leaves the room and even how much sound penetrates into the space.
Window treatments should also be more than an afterthought when it comes to design. While you may choose to add them after you have selected most of your decor, they should certainly present as integral to the design scheme, according to area professionals. While each covering should complement the fenestration, a well-chosen treatment can develop a specialty window — round or otherwise unusual — into a design statement all its own.
Area design experts say your selection for each window should depend upon how you use the room and how you prioritize the purposes of treatments for that room. For example, in the bedroom, privacy may be more important to you than the ability to enjoy a view of the outdoors. The opposite might be true in the living-dining area.
Window coverings can be divided into four categories: Shades, shutters, blinds and draperies. Each has its pluses and minuses in terms of visual appeal, light and heat permeability, and cost.
Shades
According to area experts, shades are among the most cost-effective of the choices. In fact, if you are waffling in terms of decor choices, shades can be used as a temporary solution until you determine what your permanent selections will be. Shades are available at retailers large and small in precut sizes. At many mass-market establishments, you can cut them to suit the dimensions of your windows. Once installed, according to area experts, they can be easy to clean. Shades are a true no-muss, no-fuss solution.
While flat vinyl shades are still on the market, today’s shades may be textured, layered or printed, providing a decidedly contemporary feel. In addition, modern materials allow for selection in terms of heat transfer and light pass-through. There are even shades that allow you to see outdoors without rolling them up.
“Solar shades have different openness factors,” says Deborah Carson of JLS Window Coverings in Oakland. “You can see your view (while your shades are down) if you go with 5 percent or 10 percent open. … If you need privacy, you might want to go with 1 percent or 3 percent.”
Blinds
Blinds also offer fairly simple installation. You can find blinds of low-cost material, such as plastic or aluminum, or more expensive genuine wood. At the upper end of the cost scale are privacy blinds that incorporate a diaphanous fabric overlay. Blinds may be horizontally or vertically oriented; slat sizes can range from a half inch to 2 inches and greater. They are available in a wide range of colors and finishes, from metallic red to pale faux oak.
Shutters
Shutters deliver a classic, traditional look, and also can be found in a range of slat sizes. Generally, they are made of wood, composite or vinyl material. They are a great choice for energy conservation, as well as privacy, according to industry experts. In addition, they are more durable than blinds and somewhat easier to clean. Both purchase and installation are generally more costly for shutters than for shades or blinds.
Draperies
“Drapes are probably the most expensive treatment,” Carson says. “You’ve got rods and rings, you’ve got fabric and labor” relative to installation, she notes. All in all, drapes can prove to be a pricey solution. On the other hand, whether ethereal sheers, cheerful gingham or luxe floor-length brocade, they can provide a visual warmth and textural appeal that cannot be achieved with blinds or shades.
Window covering choices have evolved over the last half century. Design experts recommend choosing treatments to suit not only other room decor choices but also issues of privacy and heat and light transfer.
