How your windows look can make or mar your home. Suitable treatments can go a long way to beautify your house and give it an alluring appearance. Window treatment involves a set of decorations, modifications, or covers used to regulate the extent that a window performs its functions.
Window treatment originated from Egypt, Persia, or China. Since 3100 BC, the Egyptians invented curtains made from papyrus. The main aim was to protect them from the desert heat and provide privacy.
During 1100 AD, the Persians invented the Venetian curtains. The Europeans adopted it in the 1700s. Gowin Knight has the patent for the first dwarf Venetian blinds.
The ancient Chinese made window blinds using bamboo. Since the origin of window treatment, it has evolved over the years.
As Avalon Management in Canton explains, windows treatments add style to the room, camouflage unpleasant views, control the amount of light entering the room, control room temperature, provide insulation, control air circulation, and offer privacy.
Before you choose a window treatment, you should ask yourself the following questions:
- What function will it serve?
- What options do I have?
- What are the measurements of my window?
- Will it be aesthetically pleasing?
What functions will it serve?
When choosing a Houston window treatment, first and foremost, you should know the functions you want the treatment to perform. If you know this, you will be able to get the right type of treatment for your home.
If you want your Houston window treatment to regulate the temperature in your room, you should choose cellular shades because they have excellent insulating properties.
If you want to protect your fabrics and furniture from sunlight, solar shades are a good option. They prevent damaging sunlight from entering your home but allow you to see through them.
What options are available?
If you have visited a home improvement store, you will be dazzled and overwhelmed by the different options of window treatments that are available. The spectrums available include blinds, drapes, shades, shutters, curtains, valance, swags, screens, pelmets, and cornices. Each of these has different subtypes.
Shutters are costly, and a few finishes and sizes are available. Making your Houston plantation shutters custom fitted for your windows gives it a better appearance.
Blinds are the most affordable. They are made of woods or plastics arranged into slats. When mounted outside the frame, blinds make small windows look more massive. Inside mounted blinds make your windows have a clean look.
Shades are a little more expensive than blinds. They are made of fabrics and are available in different levels of opacities. Varieties of Houston, TX shades are roman, rollers, and honeycomb.
Drapes have flexibility in price depending on the material, pattern, size, and color. They are hung on a rod above the windows.
What are the measurements of my windows?
When you decide on the type of window treatment for your home, the next step will be to take the measurements of your windows.
For inside mounted blinds and shades, take measurements of the narrow widths at the top, middle, and bottom of the window. Also take measurements of the length from the right, middle, and left sides.
For outside mounted blinds and shades, add 1½ inches to the width and the length.
Shutters use a similar measurement process with blinds but add ⅛ inch to the longest width and ¹/6 inch on both sides to the narrowest with.
If you choose to use drapes, you will need to know the length of your rod. To do this, measure the width of your window and add about 3 to 8 inches on either side.
Another thing you should know before using drapes is the length. You can get it by measuring the distance from the point where the rod will be hung up to 1 inch above the floor.
Will it be aesthetically pleasing?
When it comes to window treatment aesthetics, your preference matters. But the following tips are useful and should be considered.
- Drapes and shades: Choose a neutral shade or something close to the room’s dominant color. This will make your window treatments blend in. Contrasting shades can be used to highlight window features too.
If you choose to use shades that have patterns, ensure to match one of the colors to your accent color. - Shutters: if you are using shutters, the woodwork in your room should match your shutters.
- Blinds: Pure white blinds are beautiful. But if your room has a neutral shade as the dominant color, you should match it.
The bottom line
Window treatments cannot be overlooked because they enhance the beauty of your home, regulate temperature, and provide you with privacy.
Before you choose a Houston window treatment, there are pertinent questions you should answer. Answering these questions will help you choose the right window treatments for your room.
