Blinds vs Shades: 3 Things to Consider

Both blinds and shades offer window protection. However, this does not mean that these two window dressings are the same. Blinds are made with vertical or horizontal slats that can open and close based on your preference. Shades are typically made of fabrics and can raise and lower to change lighting and privacy. Discover three things to consider when deciding between blinds and shades.

What options do blinds and shades come with?

The two main differences between blinds are orientation and composition. Blinds can be horizontal or vertical. Windows wider than they are tall will look better with vertical blinds. Meanwhile, tall windows are usually paired with horizontal blinds.

Blinds are made with several different materials. You will likely choose between aluminum, faux wood, and real wood. Aluminum blinds will likely be your cheapest option. Wooden blinds are more expensive but look classier and more traditional. Faux wood blinds are more durable than their wooden cousins and are made to look just the same.

Shades come in major colors and styles. The look of shades is confined only to the limits of fabric. If color and pattern are important to you, then you will find more success in looking at shades than blinds.

Shades also come in a variety of draping options. Cellular shades are specifically designed to help with insulation. They trap air before it can get into your house. Pleated shades look a lot like blinds when they raise and lower but have no slat lines for light to peek through. Roman shades offer an elegant drape even when they are rolled up.

How do you use blinds and shades?

Blinds are far more customizable than shades. Typical, blinds can move up and down like shades, but you can also change the angle of the slats to get the exact amount of light you want. However, this does come at a cost of privacy. Light will always peek through the slats of your blinds, even when they are completely closed. An unwanted intruder could look through those tiny openings. However, this is not likely.

Blinds are also noisier than shades. Since they have a lot of different parts and are made of hard material, they rattle when being raised or lowered.

Shades do not have as many light settings as blinds. They can move up and down, but that's it. They will always be the same opacity and will let the same amount of light in. However, if you have completely opaque shades, you have more privacy in your home. Someone would have to peek around the edge of the shade, and even if they did, they would not be able to see much.

Shades are typically made of fabric or soft material. Therefore, they raise and lower quietly. If you have a baby who has trouble napping, you'll have better luck with window shades.

What maintenance do blinds and shades require?

Because they are made with harder materials, blinds are typically very durable unless you manage to snap the slats. Cleaning blinds is easy. The slats will get dusty, and you'll need to clean them individually with a dust cloth or vacuum hose. Depending on how many slats you have in your blinds, this could take some time. Blinds can also get warped and stained if not taken care of for long periods of time. This can be hard to repair.

With durability, shades can be fragile based on what material they are made from. They will often wear down faster than the wood, plastic, or aluminum in blinds. Fabric gets stained more easily than blinds do. Where blinds are moisture-resistant, fabric shades can suck in scents and moisture.

Washing them depends on the material they are made from. You can wash some fabric shades in a standard washing machine. Others need more time and effort.

Sylvan's & Phillip's Drapes & Blinds has over 50 years of experience in the LA area. We specialize in offering quality window coverings at competitive prices. Not sure about what product to buy? Schedule a free in-home consultation, and we'll help you measure and select the perfect product for you.