+1 (647)-646-9979The Pros and Cons of Window Shades: Which Are Best for You?
The Pros and Cons of Window Shades: Which Are Best for You?
The famous Colombian architect Juan Montoya had this to say about homes:
“A room should never allow the eye to settle in one place. It should smile at you and create fantasy.”
While the quote is implying that you use your imagination to create the home of your dreams, it also offers some practical advice: your home should be comfortable and functional. Having window coverings provide that combination of aesthetic and functional appeal. Not only do they help you to control the amount of natural light that enters rooms, but they also give you some privacy. On top of that, window coverings not only accentuate and help to create the character of a room, but of the home as a whole.
How do you then select the right type of window coverings? What should you be mindful of or avoid when selecting them? In this first blog post of the series, we will look at the different types of window shades that are available on the market here in Canada. We will provide you with a description of each type of window shade along with its advantages and disadvantages.
Are you ready to find out more about window shades? Then let’s dive in.
Table of Contents
Window Shades: An Overview
1. Sheer shades
This type of window covering is quite popular, since it has been on the market for a long time. Invented by the global firm Hunter Douglas, the first sheer window shades were called Silhouette.
Here are some of the main points that speak for and against sheer shades:
Pros
Cons
- You can still view the outdoors with the shades up and have some privacy at the same time
- The vanes provide complete privacy when closed (This will also depend on the type of fabric selected)
- They offer UV protection for home furnishing as well as decor
- The sheer fabric can still filter out 88% of UV rays that enter your home even when the vanes are open
- The quality of sheer shades are generally good and they last long
- They also have a good product warranty
- While they are of good quality, sheer shades can also be expensive
- They look a little “too formal” and might not fit with the modern or casual lifestyle that some homeowners are looking for
- Sheer shades are not good at insulating rooms against cold weather
Pros
- You can still view the outdoors with the shades up and have some privacy at the same time
- The vanes provide complete privacy when closed (This will also depend on the type of fabric selected)
- They offer UV protection for home furnishing as well as decor
- The sheer fabric can still filter out 88% of UV rays that enter your home even when the vanes are open
- The quality of sheer shades are generally good and they last long
- They also have a good product warranty
Cons
- While they are of good quality, sheer shades can also be expensive
- They look a little “too formal” and might not fit with the modern or casual lifestyle that some homeowners are looking for
- Sheer shades are not good at insulating rooms against cold weather
2. Cellular (Honeycomb) shades
This is a type of cellular shade that helps filter out or block light once it’s installed in front of a window.
Here are some of the main points that speak both for and against cellular shades:
Pros
Cons
- It has an additional layer of insulation that helps you to control your home’s temperature
- Competitively priced
- Provides a higher level of privacy
- Provides more privacy compared to other window coverings
- Different options are available for light control
- It’s a child safe product (Has a stick-based turning system or automated/motorized features that prevent entanglement)
- You can compress the shades for a clearer view
- Available in various shapes (Triangles, arches, trapezoids, etc.)
- Can be produced in 2+ fabrics
- Offers a layer of protection against outside noise
- It doesn’t look visually appealing and may come off as “cheap”
- It’s also not the most versatile window covering
- Depending on the fabric you choose, cellular shades can get quite expensive
- The shades might have to be closed at all times, depending on the window and its location in the house
- Can be difficult to clean: Some say that you can scrub stains in the bathtub or vacuum them, while others recommend that you steam clean them
Pros
- It has an additional layer of insulation that helps you to control your home’s temperature
- Competitively priced
- Provides a higher level of privacy
- Provides more privacy compared to other window coverings
- Different options are available for light control
- It’s a child safe product (Has a stick-based turning system or automated/motorized features that prevent entanglement)
- You can compress the shades for a clearer view
- Available in various shapes (Triangles, arches, trapezoids, etc.)
- Can be produced in 2+ fabrics
- Offers a layer of protection against outside noise
Cons
- It doesn’t look visually appealing and may come off as “cheap”
- It’s also not the most versatile window covering
- Depending on the fabric you choose, cellular shades can get quite expensive
- The shades might have to be closed at all times, depending on the window and its location in the house
- Can be difficult to clean: Some say that you can scrub stains in the bathtub or vacuum them, while others recommend that you steam clean them
3. Roman shades
These are yet another type of window covering that has been around for a long time, and it has a bit of a timeless touch and style to it.
So what are some of the pros and cons of roman shades?
Pros
Cons
- Roman shades are timeless and available in different styles
- Depending on the fabric you use, it can add a nice and striking touch to your windows and rooms
- Installation is simple and they’re easy to operate
- They don’t last long (Shades wear down due to the fabric)
- If they are custom made, they will create a stack at the top of windows and this takes up space
- Will be impacted if they are installed in places with high moisture or humidity (e.g., Kitchen or washroom)
- Not as flexible as the other window coverings/You can’t tilt them open or closed
- Can be a safety hazard for children or house pets [Note: Roman shades have rings and strings found in the rear section of the shade. The strings create loops when pulled away, and this could cause strangulation.]
Pros
- Roman shades are timeless and available in different styles
- Depending on the fabric you use, it can add a nice and striking touch to your windows and rooms
- Installation is simple and they’re easy to operate
Cons
- They don’t last long (Shades wear down due to the fabric)
- If they are custom made, they will create a stack at the top of windows and this takes up space
- Will be impacted if they are installed in places with high moisture or humidity (e.g., Kitchen or washroom)
- Not as flexible as the other window coverings/You can’t tilt them open or closed
- Can be a safety hazard for children or house pets [Note: Roman shades have rings and strings found in the rear section of the shade. The strings create loops when pulled away, and this could cause strangulation.]
4. Roller shades
These window coverings are frequently used to entirely block out all light from entering a room, which is practical in places like bedrooms.
Here are some of the pros and cons of roller shades:
Pros
Cons
- They protect your house/room against UV rays while still allowing a decent amount of light in
- Available in different fabrics, sizes, colors, and styles that enable you to control the amount of light that enters a room
- Depending on the fabric that you choose, blackout roller shades can block out any light
- Available in different operating formats: Cordless or motorized
- Roller shades won’t fit in customized windows (e.g., Arched windows)
- If you choose a lighter fabric, they won’t give you privacy at night or black out the room
- If you have the motorized version and it breaks down, you’ll need to get the motor replaced or fixed before you can use it again
Pros
- They protect your house/room against UV rays while still allowing a decent amount of light in
- Available in different fabrics, sizes, colors, and styles that enable you to control the amount of light that enters a room
- Depending on the fabric that you choose, blackout roller shades can block out any light
- Available in different operating formats: Cordless or motorized
Cons
- Roller shades won’t fit in customized windows (e.g., Arched windows)
- If you choose a lighter fabric, they won’t give you privacy at night or black out the room
- If you have the motorized version and it breaks down, you’ll need to get the motor replaced or fixed before you can use it again
5. Woven shades
If you’re looking for window coverings that have a bit more of a natural look, then you should consider using woven shades. These shades are made from materials like wood, grasses, reeds, and even bamboo.
Here are some of the pros and cons of woven shades:
Pros
Cons
- They help to block out UV rays
- They’re made from natural materials that are eco-friendly and less harmful to the environment
- The natural look is a unique style that is not easily replicated by other materials
- It’s versatile and can be used with or without a light-control or privacy backing
- Available in different colors and can be motorized
- Doesn’t last long and can be prone to weathering
- Will fade and crack over time unless they’re protected with a blackout liner
- The edges can get damaged if they’re not covered
- Since the material is natural, there will be some color or textural differences
Pros
- They help to block out UV rays
- They’re made from natural materials that are eco-friendly and less harmful to the environment
- The natural look is a unique style that is not easily replicated by other materials
- It’s versatile and can be used with or without a light-control or privacy backing
- Available in different colors and can be motorized
Cons
- Doesn’t last long and can be prone to weathering
- Will fade and crack over time unless they’re protected with a blackout liner
- The edges can get damaged if they’re not covered
- Since the material is natural, there will be some color or textural differences
Final thoughts
As you’ve probably already noticed from the above information, there is no such thing as the perfect set of window shades for your home. They do have some features and perform tasks that are similar such as controlling the amount of light that enters your home and privacy. Many of them also come in different varieties of colors, sizes, textures, and patterns, and can be automated or motorized.
That said, which one would be the best option for you? The answer is, “It depends”. There are so many factors to consider: Your lifestyle, your personal taste and preference, the design and layout of your home, the colors of your walls, your neighbourhood, and last but not least, your budget. Ultimately, you need to decide what’s best for you and what your vision of “an oasis of calm” in your home is.
Stay tuned for our next blog post, where we continue to highlight the different types of window shades available on the market.Feel free to explore the rest of our website or contact us for more information.
