Blinds - A Combination of Beauty and Functionality

A Well-designed and beautifully decorated window will always stand out in any room. But aesthetics isn't the only aspect to consider, since such windows may be responsible for between 10% and 20% of the heating costs in your house (based on data from the United states Department of Energy).

The good news is that you can cater to both the aesthetic and functionality aspects using one feature: blinds.

Available Products

Window blinds exist in numerous designs, including vertical and horizontal slats. Horizontal slats are typically raised and lowered, while vertical slats are moved from side to side. Your choice would be based on cost and options that complement the theme within a room, among other aspects.

Some designs are fitted in the interior, while others are fitted on the exterior. Both of them can be raised and lowered to adjust the amount of light coming through the window. However, exterior designs are normally made of much more durable material, including aluminum and steel.

Generally, blinds can contribute to lower heat gain within the house. This is particularly so with highly reflective versions, which have the potential of reducing heat gain by approximately 45% (based on data from the united States Department of Energy). Some specially made designs can reflect sunlight onto light-colored ceiling surfaces, which diffuses the light.

Choosing Between Different Window Treatments

Obviously, you'll be faced with a much greater choice than simply picking out the most suitable blinds. You should also consider whether other window treatments would be better suited for your home. In this case, other options include: shades and shutters.

The options you have bear some key functional differences, which can influence your decision. Shades provide the simplest functionality of fully exposing and covering the window. However, you can only adjust the slats on shutters to expose or cover a window, since they are designed as solid coverings. Ultimately, blinds combine both functionalities afforded by shutters and shades, since you can fully raise and lower it, as well as adjust the slats on it.

You don't really have to settle for just one option. You can actually install different window treatments within your house. This would depend on the overall look you intend to create, which might necessitate use of only one window treatment.

Since these options require some effort in their use, you might want to consider one that you find less cumbersome to use. If your main concern is greater variety in functionality, blinds would be the best choice.

What Else Can You Do For Your Windows?

Simply depending on blinds may not provide the best protection against heat loss and heat gain. You first need to ensure that your window possesses the best construction possible. This means that you'll have to replace single-panes with more efficient double-panes.

Two options exist in your selection of double-panes. For those living in colder climates, gas-filled versions with low-e coatings offer the best solution for reduced heat loss. On the other hand, designs that possess spectrally selective coatings are the best choice for people living in warmer climates, since these designs help reduce heat gain.


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Andrew Johnston shares the best tips to help transform your home. These insights will give you greater understanding of the concepts of interior design. You can get high quality fixtures from Elite Home Improvements at http://www.ehiaustralia.com.au/blinds .