Blinds and Shades by Property

It is difficult to beat louvered products for light control. Wood blinds, faux wood blinds, banded shades, and window shadings are most common but vertical and metal blinds will also give you the flexibility to control light and privacy through adjusting the louvers.

Solid shades such as the honeycomb shades, woven wood with blackout liner, and roller shades are most effective at blocking light in theater rooms and bedrooms.

What you see is what you get. Most blinds and shades work well with the exception of solar screens of greater than 1% view through. Screen shades offer a selectable level of light control and privacy indicated by their percentage of view through.

There has been tremendous growth in window treatment motorization in recent years. Options range from buttons on wands attached to shades and blinds to shades that integrate with home automation. It is best to shop by brand and the leaders in this industry are Hunter Douglas and Somfy. Almost all blinds and shades can be motorized in some way, but stay with major brands because they have the best product support for these products.

With the new window coverings standards released in 2018, most window coverings are now available with a cordless lift option. Products with the most refined cordless operating systems are honeycomb and roller shades.

Products that offer a partial privacy option with a view through are solar screens, roller shades, woven woods, window shadings, and banded shades. Some have a fixed view through and others can be variable based on vane and fabric position.