Blinds & Shades: Similarities & Differences

Window Blinds and Window Shades, both are popular options for covering windows. Let’s explore the different and similar features of these beautiful custom window coverings:

Material:

  • Blinds are generally made of hard material for e.g. wood, vinyl, metal. Some vertical blinds have fabric options as well
  • Shades are usually designed with softer fabrics and delicate sheer material

Design Structure:

  • Blinds are made of slats. Horizontal or Venetian blinds have horizontal slats (½” to 3”) which are held together by cords that run through the slats. The cords are attached to the headrail on one end and the bottom rail to the other end. When the blind is fully lowered, the slats can be rotated up to open position for view through or down to closed position for privacy/room darkening.
  • Vertical Blinds are made of vertical vanes (3”- 4”wide ), which moves side to side. These vanes rotate clockwise and counter clockwise to open and close. Each vane is attached to the headrail with a clip on the track. The vanes stacks on the side when slide open
  • There are different types of shades for e.g. Roller shades, Zebra Shades, Cellular shades, Roman Shades, Silhouettes, Luminettes etc. and each has a different design structure. The common feature among most horizontal shades is that, the shade fabric is rolled up on a tube in the headrail, except for the Cellular and Roman shades that stacks up. Vertical shades move sideways and stack on the side.
  • Roller shades, Roman shades and Cellular shades are designed with a single piece of fabric. Cellular shade has dual fabric feature as well that can be added if required. Multifunctional shades for e.g. Zebra shade, Silhouette, Luminette are crafted with dual fabrics.

Function:

  • Blinds are multifunctional. The slats/vanes can be rotated at various angles allowing varying level of light and privacy control.
  • All shades are not multifunctional. Shades that are designed with single piece of fabric generally have up and down feature only. Shades that are made of dual fabrics are multifunctional and offer varying level of privacy and light control in a single unit.
  • Since blinds are made of hard material, while achieving privacy it blocks most light when slats/vanes are closed, except vertical blinds could be light filtering if made with fabric.
  • Shades are designed with fabrics of different opacity: sheer, light filtering, room darkening and blackout. Each offers different level of privacy and light control.

Control Options:

  • Since the Government of Canada has implemented child safety rule, all window coverings have been switched to cordless control options.
  • To operate horizontal blinds, simply hold the bottom rail or press the button provided on the bottom rail to raise or lower the blind. Plus there is a wand on the side to rotate the slats. Vertical blinds has a single wand that performs dual function: move the blind and rotate the vanes.
  • Some manufacturers do offer motorized feature for slat rotation only, on horizontal blinds.
  • Window shades have chain guard, retractable cord, cordless and motorized/automated control options. Chain guard comes with a cover that conceals the chain. Retractable cord mechanism has a wand without any exposed dangling cord. Cordless system has no cord and the shade moves up and down by holdding the bottom rail. Automated options includes motorized wand, regular and rechargeable battery operated and hard wired. Motorized shades (except motorized wand) are operated by remote conrol and/or mobile devices through the “App”.

Blinds & Shades, with its unique features, are beautiful window coverings offering unlimited options to fulfill consumer demands. It greatly helps in enhancing the beauty of interior spaces in various ways by offering both aesthetic and functional benefits. Blinds and shades come in various styles, colors, and materials, allowing homeowners to customize their window treatments to match the room’s decor and color scheme. This adaptability helps in harmonizing the overall design of the space.

Making a selection between Blinds & Shades very well depends on costomer’s taste and needs.

By integrating custom window coverings thoughtfully, you can enhance both the aesthetics and functionality of your interior spaces, contributing to an overall polished, harmonious, and comfortable environment.

Would you like advice on which might suit your space better? You can Contact us, we will be glad to help you.

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