Blinds 4 Less: 03/02/13

How Much You'd Expect to Pay For a New Set of Blinds

By Cookie Maxwell

Window blinds can be a beautiful and functional alternative to cloth curtains on your windows. Blinds come in a variety of materials and styles, and they can be functional as well as decorative. They come in a variety of materials that include wood, plastic, vinyl, metal, fabric and even bamboo. There are many different styles of blinds to choose from to customize the design of your windows. Vertical, horizontal, honeycomb, flat, and roller are just a few types of blinds that you will find from retailers. Blinds that are labeled as energy efficient insulate the windows that they cover and help keep the heat and air conditioning bills lower. There is no typical cost for blinds because of the variety of materials and designs. However, there is a range that a homeowner can expect to find when they are pricing window treatments.

Accounting for the large variety in material, quality, quantity and size, people can expect to pay anywhere from $8 to $1000 per blind for their home. That range includes budget blinds from a hardware store that can cost between $15 to $180 per window and the moderately priced energy efficient blinds from a large home store that will run $30 to $130 per window. Designer custom blinds made from the highest quality materials cost from $100 to $1000 per window. The lower end of the price range covers smaller window blinds that are made from wood and fabric. The highest end of the price range encompasses woven silk blinds and tapeless ladder system blinds.

There are additional costs to account for when planning the window treatments budget. Professional installers charge to install the blinds for home windows. The rule of thumb is that the cost increases as the complexity of the job increases. Keep in mind that larger windows cost more to cover. That is also true for windows that are oddly shaped and are not traditional. If you do not want to hire an installer, most blinds can be installed without the help of a professional.

Installation is not usually part of the blind package price, but there are a few more extra parts that a person will need to factor in when purchasing new blinds. A purchased blind includes a blind that is the right size to cover one window, any hardware necessary to install the blind, a rod, a cord, and a system to position the blind. If the blinds are vertical then there is an included head rail or valance from which to hang the blind from. Most custom blind retailers will offer a warranty for the blinds that they sell.

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cookie_Maxwell

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Select Window Treatments by Asking The Right Questions

By Valarie Baser

Since each window treatment has its own pros and cons, it's important to answer the following questions first before you begin browsing and shopping. By answering the following questions, you will have a clear understanding of what you need from your treatments. Knowing what you need before browsing and shopping will end confusion while saving you a lot of time and money.
Practical Questions
Does privacy need to be created?
Some apartments in big cities usually lack privacy when it comes to windows with views. Views can sometimes include awkward views of their neighbors or opportunities for neighbors walking by to take a peep at your dinner. So purchasing curtains that provide privacy will make a home feel comfortable, making you feel less exposed.
Does heat gain/loss need to be controlled?
If you live in a older home or apartment, the windows may not be insulated to prevent cold weather from entering the home. This will usually cause you to use more heat in the home which will eat up your electric bill.
Is there a need to get rid of glare from the sun?
Depending on the location in the home, if it's a home office, think about how annoying a glare from the sun would be when trying to focus on a computer screen. This makes working from home less productive which may hurt your earnings.
Does it need to be easy to maintain and clean?
If you're the type of person who is always on the run then I doubt you'd like to spend time cleaning window treatments when you'd rather be outside doing real things.
Does it need to be durable?
If your house has a lot of occupants, that means whatever you select needs to be able to tolerate more wear and tear in high traffic areas such as living rooms or hallways. Treatments that frequently need to be replaced is both a waste of time and money.
Is it within my budget?
The tricky part about this questions is that if the curtain quality is too cheap then it may not last. So in the long run, you'd be spending more money than you thought you would be just to replace them, frequently. Think about which is more worth it to you in the long run. Good Quality + Expensive = Durability or Bad Quality + Cheap = Needs to be replaced frequently.
Once you've answered those set of questions, you can move on to the less serious stuff. The next thing you want to think about is style. Here are a set of questions to ask yourself.
Decorative Questions
Can the treatment add to an architectural detail?
Lets say you have a custom window that's floor to ceiling high. A custom length of the window treatment can add to the architectural detail and help create a beautiful focal point.
Is there a need to bring out color, pattern or texture into the room?
If the room is lacking some kind of pattern, color, or texture; window treatments will dramatically change the space. The right window treatment can also accompany a type of texture used in the room to create a more harmonious space.
Should the style be contemporary, traditional, period etc?
Depending on the style your going for, contemporary window treatments should be surrounded by a contemporary setting. Unless the style is eclectic which has to be cleverly balanced out.
Should the pattern be geometric, naturalistic or stylized?
Depending on the mood of the room, geometric patterns can add a youthful vibe to the space, naturalistic patterns can add a bit of a relaxed vibe and stylized patterns really depends on your personal preference.
Should there even be pattern?
Maybe there's so many different patterns and shapes already being used in the space. Skipping the idea of including patterns for window treatments will keep the room from getting too busy.
Once you answer the following questions, it will be much easier to select the right window treatments. I would recommend taking the time to write each question out and filling in the answers so you don't change your mind once you enter a store. Entering a store with a lot different ideas and selection can easily distract you, so keep a list of your needs and wants to prevent this.

Now that you know how to select the right window treatments, there's still more to learn. Visit http://www.vmdecor.com to discover different styles and learn what's in the interior design market today.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Valarie_Baser