What is a Window Treatment?: The Ultimate Guide

Article Summary:

• Like windows, window treatments vary in terms of material, price, energy efficiency, privacy, and aesthetics.
• Hard window treatments include blinds, shades, and shutters; soft window treatments include drapes and curtains.
• Window treatments can be used to make smaller windows and rooms look larger.
• While they can help insulate your home, you'll want to make sure your windows are doing most of the work of keeping outside air from entering your home.

What Is a Window Treatment?

A window treatment is a cover, layer, or accent applied to, or around, a window. It serves to manage natural light, enhance thermal efficiency, ensure privacy, and elevate interior décor. Window treatments typically come separate from the actual window; however, some window and door manufacturers now offer treatments such as motorized blinds or shades as add-on options within the panes of glass. 

What are the Main Types of Window Treatments?

Window treatment options include blinds, curtains, shades, shutters, drapes, and more. Each option comes in a variety of materials, colors, and price points. These can vary depending on the windows you're trying to elevate. 

Window treatments can be broken down by material type: hard window treatments include blinds, shades, and shutters, while soft window treatments include curtains and drapes.

Examples of Hard Window Treatments

Blinds are made of individual slats that move either vertically or horizontally. They allow for air ventilation and block natural light. You can hang blinds from either inside the window frame or outside, and typically above, the window frame. The most basic blinds are accessed by a cord that controls the slats, and it's important to keep safety in mind if you have young children or pets who may play with the cord. Another housekeeping fact to keep in mind is that blinds tend to collect dust quickly, so they require frequent cleaning. Some windows and doors come with the option to include blinds between the panes of glass, which can help avoid dusting, but cost more upfront.

Shades are mounted similarly to blinds, but they are typically made of one singular piece of material that raises and lowers. Shades come in a variety of aesthetic and material options, including wood, Roman, cellular, and roller shades. 

• Roman shades provide a sophisticated, pleated look when raised, whereas roller shades provide a minimalist look, and curve around a tube when raised. 
• Wooden shades offer a more eco-friendly, naturalist look, but they can also absorb moisture in the air.  
• Cellular shades, also known as honeycomb shades, have hexagon-shaped air pockets to help insulate, and are typically the most energy-efficient of all the shade options. 

Another common hard window treatment are shutters. They are made of solid panels and are custom fit to your windows. As such, shutters are typically more expensive and harder to swap out if you change your mind on your interior decoration, or windows, down the line. Like blinds, shutters collect dust more easily; however, they do offer a better insulation option.

Examples of Soft Window Treatments

When it comes to curtains and drapes, the difference between the two is what kind of fabric is used. Curtains are typically lighter-weight, sheer or translucent, and do not provide complete privacy or light control. They are often shorter as well, including valences, swags, and café style. Drapes, on the other hand, are typically lined, heavier material, and either fall all the way to the floor or have extra fabric that puddle on the floor. Drapes are more likely to come in blackout options that prevent any sunlight from entering a room. They're also more expensive because of the fabric type, and often provide a more dramatic look. 

How Can I Maximize Light and Space for Small Windows?  

If you have small windows throughout your home, you may want window treatments that create an illusion of larger ones. A few small window treatment ideas include:

• Narrow drapes hung higher than your window to make your window seem longer
• Half-tier café curtains allow light in through the top half of your window, while providing privacy from onlookers.
• White- or neutral-colored blinds or shades that blend in with your walls to make the room seem bigger
• Decorative window film allows you to make the most of natural sunlight without adding bulky hardware or materials to your window

How Can I Choose the Right Treatment by Room?

Choosing the right window treatment for each room in your home depends on your living situation, décor, privacy needs, and budget, much like choosing new windows. Rooms where you sleep or rest in, like bedrooms, may benefit from thicker, blackout drapes to prevent any light, noise, or outside air from entering. Meanwhile, when it comes to a sunroom or living room, you may want a window treatment like Roman shades to allow for more light while still providing some privacy. 

Perfect Pairings: Why Great Window Treatments Need Great Windows

What is a great window treatment without a great window? Thick thermal drapes won't help to keep the heat inside if your windows are already leaking cold air inside. In fact, they might trap more moisture and dust, which could cause problems if you've got allergies or asthma.

Window treatments are only going to be as successful as the windows they're being applied to. That's why it's important to reach out to professionals, like Window Nation, to get top-quality replacement windows before going all in on window treatments! 

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