It’s been said that window treatments are like the eyebrows of a room. You may not notice them right away, but without them, a room doesn’t look quite “done.”
Whether you are looking to add style to your home or want to enhance your privacy, there are lots of types of window treatments to choose from. They can serve many different purposes, including privacy, light control, and energy efficiency. In addition to their function, they’re an essential aspect of home décor; they add color, pattern, and texture to a room.
Window treatments protect your home's flooring and furnishings from UV fading, and also increase energy efficiency. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, about 76 percent of sunlight that falls on standard windows enters to become heat. And in cooler seasons, 30 percent of a home's heating energy is lost through windows. Depending on the type of treatment, they can dramatically increase the energy efficiency of your home.
We offer a wide variety of window treatments and motorization options. Read on to learn more about all of the options for your home!
(Images provided by Springs Window Fashions)
Drapes
Draperies are some of the most traditional and elegant window treatments. They can be made from a variety of materials and come in a wide range of colors and patterns. They’re often designed to add a decorative element to a room, but they’re also used to block out light, reduce noise, and add privacy.
Drapes come in two different modes of movement; stationary and functional. Stationary drapes are mainly decorative. These drapes flank each side of the window and are not operable, meaning they’re not designed to open or close. Functional drapes are operable, meaning they are wide enough to cover the window if drawn close.
Drapery hardware comes in a variety of wood and metal finishes such as matte black, brushed brass, , bronze, polished nickel, and more! Finials cap the unfinished ends of the drapery poles with a decorative flair. Finials can be as simple or as ornate as you would like, ranging from straightforward shapes like opals and squares, to acrylic pieces for a luxurious design. With custom draperies, poles are cut to order to get the exact size you need for your design - eliminating the annoyance of having to maneuver rings over telescoping poles.
Roller Shades
Roller shades are another popular type of window treatment. They are available in various styles. These shades are made from fabric, and come in a wide range of colors and patterns. Roller shades provide excellent privacy and UV light control, and can help to preserve your flooring and furnishings from fading over time. These cordless shades are easily raised and lowered through a simple touch, or through motorization, which we’ll review below.
Natural Shades
Natural shades bring privacy, light control, color, and texture to your windows with sustainable materials. These shades are made from green materials such as bamboo, jute, and grasses. Natural shades display unique patterns of earthy materials such as mineral marks, variations, knots and nodes, uneven spacing, and pattern changes. They can also be lined to add even more privacy and light control capabilities.
Roman Shades
Roman shades give you the function of roller shades, but with the fabric and style selection of draperies. Constructed from drapery fabric, they range in a variety of colors and patterns and give the soft and elegant design feature in a room with limited window space. Roman shades come in a variety of fold styles, ranging from a flat shade for a more modern look, to a pleated fold for a traditional style.
Wood Blinds
Wooden blinds are versatile window treatments that can be adjusted to control the amount of light and air entering a room. They are available in different materials, including wood and faux wood. Decorative tapes and banding can make these treatments even more stylish.
Shutters
Shutters are a timeless and classic window treatment that can be used in any style of home. They are available in different materials, including wood, vinyl, and aluminum, and are custom-sized to fit any window. Shutters are an ideal choice for those who want to add a touch of elegance and sophistication to their home while also providing privacy and light control.
Cellular Shades
Cellular shades, also known as honeycomb shades, offer a variety of levels of light control ranging from sheer to blackout and fold into a small, neat stack when raised. They’re a popular choice for reducing heating and cooling costs by as much as 64% (based on product testing by Architectural Testing Incorporated) by keeping the sun’s rays out during the summer, and in the home during the winter.
Motorization
Adding motorization to your window treatments can elevate their functionality even more. By motorizing your shades or draperies, you can open and close them using a remote or your smartphone.
And with the Graber smartphone app, you can set routines for them that open or close at predetermined times each day. For example, you can set a routine to lower the shades at a time when the sun is strongest in your room, increasing the energy efficiency even more by ensuring that you’re getting the most light control as possible, without having to remember to manually adjust them.
Motorization can be powered either by rechargeable batteries or by hard-wiring low-voltage electricity directly to the shade. If you’re using batteries, you only need to recharge them about once every 12 months!
Adding motorization is also perfect for hard-to-reach windows, giving you the ability to easily open and close your shades; perfect for the two-story great rooms that are popular in so many homes right now. And if you’re in the midst of new construction, consider running the power to the windows while your walls are open - it’s a step that is often forgotten during the construction process.
Layering
Often, multiple treatments on a window will give you the best results. For example, in a family room, you may choose natural shades for privacy and light control, and also add drapery to provide softness, sound absorption, and color.
With window treatments, there's no one-size-fits-all. Having a professional by your side to help you understand what will work best for your family makes all the difference. We bring the samples to your home, advise on the type of treatment based on your needs, and professionally install them.
Contact Us to add these beautiful treatments to your home!