Drapery Vs Shades: The Proper Guide to Treating Your Windows

“Window treatments” is a term that refers to any measure you might take to cover your windows. Most of these are a lot more than being merely decorative. Shades and drapery give you the much-needed privacy, protecting your abode from discoloration done by sunrays. The best of window treatments are very effective with these tasks while also looking pretty.

There are numerous options out there, to treat your windows devoid of whether you are looking for shades or draperies, to treat your windows.

Drapery:

The most popular form of window treatments has always been draperies. Bad drapery is something you really can’t get past. Consider these questions before buying drapery, to avoid wrong decisions.

• Privacy – Drapery helps you narrow down on fabric options. It ranges from solid cottons to sheer linens. Even if you want more privacy and light blockage than a certain fabric allows, you can choose to get the window treatments lined with an additional charge.

• Pleat style – The chosen pleat style plays a great role in creating the look you want. No pleat can be wrong or right. They can be casual, dressy, traditional and modern.

• High vs low – Good proportions are important in creating drapes which look designer even if they aren’t custom made. The most popular and safest drapery option is definitely to have them grazing on the floor. Installing them at least 2 to 3 inches above the floor leads to a dramatically ethereal look. Hanging draperies close to the ceiling makes the room appear taller and grander.

Shades:

Shades are mostly more structured than drapery and can take you through a number of tricky situations. Windows may sit high up in a floor; or be narrow; or be divided in multiple segments. Shades work well on all these varieties thus working to block out or diffuse light.

Before deciding on a style, you must answer the question of what kind of shades you want for your homes. Do you want inside mounts or outside mounts?

• Roman Shades – Roman shades are very versatile, rolling up evenly but providing a smooth finish when fully covering the window. They give you a tailored look while providing room for a lot of coverage.

• Roller shades – In case, you like the minimal and clean look of any cellular shade, but yet want something which looks a little more high-end, then roller shades is the best option for you. The fabric selected determines the amount of light that can pass through. These are great for a room with a view.

• Cellular shades – Also known as honeycomb shades, cellular shades are meant to provide great insulation, keeping out the heat in summer and cold in winter. In short, they must be called the workhorse of window treatments. Some of these are even available with a top/down – bottom/up feature. They allow optimum light control. The best feature, perhaps, is a cordless operation giving you a minimalist and clean look.

There are numerous options out there. It is fun to see the combination of fabrics and styles that you can mix and match.