Get Creative with Window Treatments By Gary Milke

Window treatments not only help protect your home from the heat of the sun, they also give you a chance to add unique style and color to any room. There are a number of factors to take into consideration when selecting window treatments for your home.

Before deciding on a type of window treatment, you should first consider the purpose of the window treatment. Is it to block out the sun during the day? Limit drafts in winter? Provide additional privacy or to just add decoration? Take the time to answer these
questions before selecting window treatments for your home.

Types of Window Treatments

Drapes and curtains provide instant privacy from neighbors and protection from the heat of sun. Room-darkening or lined curtains can also help improve energy-efficiency of your home by minimizing drafts from windows and preventing solar heat gain. Drapes and curtains are available in hundreds of colors, fabrics and styles to allow you to instantly transform any room with this versatile window accessory.

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Another window popular window treatment is blinds. Blinds provide you with the perfect combination of light control and privacy. They can be easily opened to let light in or shut tight to keep light out. Blinds should be mounted inside the window frame to provide the best light control and additional privacy at night. Blinds are made from a variety of materials from wood, faux wood, plastic and metal. Each offers a different look and style. Vinyl blinds are typically just available in white or beige. Wood and metal blinds offer more choices in color and sizes.

Shades are another type of window treatment. Shades are very effective at blocking the sun out to enhance energy efficiency. To fit any room décor, there are a variety of shade designs to choose from. Roman shades, pleated shades, roller shades and soft shades are just a few of the options in this versatile window treatment.

Valances or swags can add instant decoration to windows with no window treatments or those adorned with blinds or shades. Valances and swags are available in a variety of fabrics, colors and styles and can be used to quickly transform any room in your home.

There is an endless array of choices available for window treatments making it easy to find a design that best meets your needs and personal style.