Though windows play a big part in increasing the overall looks and appearances of our home, we tend to ignore it more often than not. A bland window without curtains or blinds would not look good. Further, these fixtures help in filtering lights and also could be an effective barrier against dust and debris. However, like all people, we often get confused when it comes to choosing between curtains and blinds. Therefore, it would be interesting if we had some useful information about blinds vs curtains.
What Are Window Curtains?
Also referred to as drapes, a curtain basically is a piece of cloth that helps to block unwanted lights or drafts. It also could offer protection against water caused by rains and other such natural events. Curtains come in different colors, shapes, designs and sizes. They are also available in different materials ranging from cotton to silk, from polyester to environment friendly products like jute and coir. There are obviously a number of advantages of curtains and here are a few of them.
When it comes to combination of colors and designs, there is no doubt that curtains offer much wider choice. They also are available in many different textures. You also could choose curtains of different thickness. There are also heavy curtains that keep light and draft totally away from the rooms. If you are keen on having the right kind of atmosphere and theme for your room, then many end users believe that curtains could be a better choice. There are different types of blackout curtains that are capable of blocking out light totally even during a bright and sunny day. You can also buy them in different price ranges and therefore you could have a curtain to suit specific budgets and monetary requirements.
The Downsides Of Curtains
When it comes to durability, curtains are not as durable and long-lasting as blinds. Though they are available in different prices ranges, customized curtains could often become quite expensive when compared to made-to-order blinds. Further, curtains are not suitable for kitchens and bathrooms. They attract dirt and dust mush faster and in a kitchen, you could have oily dirt and grime sticking to curtains. Further, maintenance of curtains is a much tougher task when compared to blinds. If you want some amount of light or air filtering in, curtains again may not be the best option. They carry a higher risk of getting impacted by moths, molds, and also can get stained easily.
Blinds
Blinds are also popular types of window covering materials. A typical blind has slats that are either vertical or horizontal. Many types of hard materials are used including plastics, wood, metal, etc. These slats are held together with the help of cords that are run through it. They are popular because of a number of reasons. We are listing down a few reasons why many people find blinds to be a good option.
Advantages of Blinds
They are available in many colors and designs. It is possible to customize slat size and thickness and Roman blinds are a classic example. If they are fitted to the window they can help save energy especially during summer seasons when the air conditioners need to run most of the time. They are cheaper when compared to customized or made-to-order curtains. Maintenance is easy and therefore they always look much cleaner when compared to drapes and curtains. They do not produce a claustrophobic impact that often is a problem with curtains. They can easily be removed and reinstalled easily. They are chosen because of their ability to filter light as and when required by small adjustments of the blinds. Unlike curtain, blinds can be used anywhere in the home and therefore they are the most obvious choice when it comes to usage in bathroom, toilet and kitchen windows. They offer better value for money compared to curtains because of their durability and longevity factors.
Disadvantages of Blinds
If you are looking to completely block out light and drafts, then blinds may not be the right choice. Though you may have many colors of blinds, when it comes to textures and designs, the options are limited when compared to curtains. Though blinds can save energy, they are perhaps not as energy efficient as curtains because they allow air to escape.
Which to Choose?
There is no doubt that both blinds and curtains are unique in their own ways. They have their own pros and cons. The customer is the best judge when it comes to making a comparison between blinds vs curtains. It would depend on the reasons for which they are being used. For example, if it is about blocking light then curtain could be a better option. On the other hand, if you want to have privacy for your bathroom, toilet and kitchen windows, then blinds could be the right alternative.