Window blinds can make a comfortable addition to any typical window. They aren't just functional but economical and stylish as well. The blinds provide homeowners with sufficient privacy and defense from harmful sunrays, while also providing a decent opportunity for users to accent their windows with custom color and textures. There's a wide range of these appliances available on the market which can be a little bit confusing when one wants to pick the best ones. Here are some few things to keep in mind when looking for new window shades.
1. Determine your own budget range on how much you're willing to spend on these appliances. Choosing a good budget would help you get the best and most affordable blinds in the market. For instance, vinyl or mini-blinds tend to be relatively inexpensive whilst wood blinds are typically pricier and may necessarily not be the best option for your budget.
2. Decide on what major functions the blinds would play. They could be a source of decoration, or privacy to stop neighbors from peeping in, or alternatively to keep the sunlight out. Putting blinds within a room with TV may keep glare away from the screen, while also limiting the amount of entering the place. Blinds are also available in blackout shades which don't let in too much light, light-filtering blinds that allow light specs in, and glare-control elements that minimize glare.
3. Choose blinds that coordinate well with the general feel and scheme of your room. For instance, the wooden blinds work well in rooms with a cozy decor including wood floors which perfectly match the said blinds. Vinyl may be appropriate for rooms that are less formal like a recreation space. On the other hand, fabric blinds like roman shades which have one constant line of fabric, may coordinate well in a typical living room.
4. Consider heavy-duty blinds or cordless frame treatments, particularly if you have children or pets who regularly play inside them, it's because they may cause quite some major entanglement. Also choose the blinds that have capacity to withstand rough usage, such as the mini or vinyl types.
5. Think about the importance of having energy-efficient window treatments. Some work more efficiently than others in locking out excess heat and can potentially help you save quite a lot of money on heating or cooling costs. Moreover, cellular shades which use pleated fabrics mutually interlaced instead of distinct slats may do a good job in preventing excess heat from entering the room.
Tips and Warnings
Always ensure that you have correct size blinds when making an order as it could be a real hassle to finally return them after use, or to slice down the blinds. As for outside-mounted versions, add 4-5 inches on either of the 4 sides for decent vertical blinds, or alternatively add 1-1-1/2 inches on the sides of horizontal blinds. Always account for every space used by your mounting brackets, which could be 1-3 inches tall. As for the inside-mounted blinds, take exact window measurements to the nearest 1/8 of an inch. Also avoid placing wooden blinds in high-moisture areas like the bathroom since wood can potentially warp.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karol_Wawrzak
