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Window Treatments
The term "window treatments" refer
to the broad category of interior coverings
for windows and can be divided into shades,
blinds, and curtains.
When considering changing your
window treatments,
here are some tips:
Shades
Designed primarily to block out
sunlight,
shades can also provide some
degree of insulation
by trapping air between the shade
and the
window glass. Shades can be used
with curtains
or alone.
Blinds
Blinds are interconnected slats
that can
be opened and closed to control
the amount
of light that passes between
the slats. Like
shades, they can also provide
some insulation.
Some blinds are constructed with
a sheer
fabric between the slats for
privacy. Blinds
retract either vertically or
horizontally
and are made of vinyl, plastic,
metal, or
wood. Some blinds are cordless
(moved by
lifting or lowering the bottom
slat) and
some are motorized (for hard
to reach areas
like upper windows). There are
even some
blinds that are built inside
double layered
glass to overcome the largest
drawback to
blinds: dust collection. Blinds
come in standard
sizes up to about 10 feet wide
and are also
available in custom sizes.
Curtains
The traditional window covering,
curtains
may be permanently anchored on
the curtain
rod, equipped with hoops for
sliding along
the rod, or hung by hooks that
attach to
a moving cord for opening and
closing. Curtains
range from sheer to heavy material,
with
the heavier material offering
substantial
insulation capability. Double
rods are available
for hanging two sets of curtains,
such as
a sheer fabric for privacy and
a heavy fabric
for blocking light and insulation. |
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