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Pros and Cons of the 6 Most Popular Window Treatments

living room with large picture windows and natural light

Every window treatment has pros and cons. Depending on your criteria (aesthetics, cost, light control), some choices may suit you better than others.

Wood Blinds

Pros:

  • Sophisticated but less expensive than wood shutters
  • Durable and attractive
  • Made from cherry, walnut, oak, basswood and other hardwoods
  • Rich grain, UV-resistant painted or stained finish
  • Plain or patterned tapes
  • Also available in woven wood and shaped venetian or vertical blinds

Cons:

  • Not good in areas with moisture
  • More expensive than some other window treatments

Plantation Shutters

Pros:

  • Classic elegance
  • Insulating
  • Wood, faux wood or eco-friendly composite
  • Variety of finishes

Cons:

Faux Wood Blinds

Pros:

  • Look of wood
  • Fraction of the price of wood
  • More durable than wood, and tolerate scratches and humidity better
  • UV-resistant PVC minimizes warping and peeling
  • Painted faux wood, painted textured colors, stained colors
  • Clear view of outdoors when open, privacy when closed
  • Available cordless

Cons:

  • Heavier than wood: not good for large windows if you will be opening and closing frequently
  • Cannot be restained to a different color

Cellular (Honeycomb) Shades

Pros:

  • Great style
  • Easy operation
  • Affordable
  • Excellent light control
  • Insulating
  • Single or double cell
  • Varied opacity from light-filtering to blackout
  • Varied materials
  • Top-down or bottom-up controls; can have two different colors such as a lighter color for the top and darker for bottom
  • Cordless, continuous loop or motorized

Cons:

  • Not as durable as other options
  • Difficult to control light and clean

Mini Blinds (Aluminum Blinds)

Pros:

  • Low-cost
  • Easy to operate, clean and customize
  • Lightweight
  • Fit most windows
  • Made from long-lasting, durable materials
  • Components are comprised of heavy-duty stamped metal and injection-molded plastic; aluminum alloy slats create a spring reaction that resists dents or bends

Cons:

  • Need to be cleaned more often
  • Less efficient at keeping in heat
  • Slats can be easily damaged
  • Blind cords can be a hazard around young children and pets

Roller Shades

Pros:

  • Wide variety of colors and patterns
  • Easy to clean and operate
  • Blackouts versions are great for day sleepers, media rooms
  • Available in neutral tones and subtle patterns, vibrant colors and bold prints
  • Various control mechanisms

Cons:

  • Unsuitable for very narrow windows
  • All fabrics have a maximum width which is finite
  • Flap in the breeze if window is open
  • Not as much privacy

If you choose a top local blinds store like Adler’s Blinds, expert designers will help you make the perfect choice for your home.

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Is There a Wood Blind Cleaning Service Close to Here?

Any better window treatment store, Adler’s Blinds in Madeira, for example, can make your wood blinds look new again. Having them taken down and cleaned professionally is the best way to get them deep-cleaned. A reputable service that cleans wood blinds by hand removes dirt, grime and allergens from the slats, strings and inside the headrail. Our process also removes static electricity, so your blinds will not attract dust as quickly after we’ve cleaned them. You could waste your time (and time is money) wiping down each slat with wood cleaner, lemon oil and/or wood preservative, but you would never get them as clean as we can! Cleaning your blinds has health benefits for people with asthma, allergies or respiratory problems. We recommend having new wood blinds cleaned every 2-3 years when used heavily. Older blinds might not need cleaning as often.