Blinds Vs Curtains: What's Better, Cheaper, And Easier To Use?

Creating your home space – the area you'll live in, create memories in, and spend time with your family in – is a wonderful experience. You choose furniture that reflects your style and colors that bring the room alive; you hang pictures that remind you of special moments, and hand-pick decorations that make your space unique.

After so much time and care is taken in selecting the perfect furnishings for your home, you may overlook one very important detail: window coverings. Window treatments are a vital part of any room's design – without them, rooms can feel empty and unfinished.

But what should you choose? Curtains in their luxury and romanticism, or blinds in their simplicity and modernity? Let's take a look at the pros and cons of both.

What are Blinds?

Beloved for their sleek simplicity and practicality, blinds are an incredibly popular option for window coverings. Blinds come in a variety of materials and styles, from horizontal slats to vertical panels. They provide excellent light control, allowing you to adjust the amount of natural light that enters your space or block it out completely.

The Pros of using Blinds

• They're excellent for light control. You can adjust the amount of light that comes into your home with blinds, opening and closing them as you please.
• They're easy to clean and maintain. Blinds are very durable – just a quick wipe with a damp cloth will do the job! They don't need to be taken down for washing like curtains; all you need is just a few minutes of your time.
• They're great for keeping your home secure. Blinds can provide an extra layer of privacy and security for your home by blocking out prying eyes.

The Cons of Using Blinds

• They're not very energy efficient. Blinds don’t do much to protect against heat loss or gain, so you may end up using more electricity during winter months if your window treatments aren't doing their job.
• Wooden blinds can warp over time. If you’re planning on using wooden blinds, you should be prepared to replace them every few years as they tend to warp and become discolored due to humidity and heat.
• They don't provide any insulation. Blinds are not the best insulators – they can keep out some of the cold air in winter, but won't do much more than that.

What are Curtains?

We've all yearned for a draping curtain at one point or another. They're just so romantic, so dramatic! Curtains are panels of fabric hung from a rod or track, typically used to cover windows. They can be used for both functional and decorative purposes, providing privacy while adding an elegant touch to any room.

The Pros of Using Curtains

• They're great for insulation. Curtains are ideal insulators – they keep out cold air in the winter months and help maintain a comfortable temperature in your home throughout the year.
• They come in a variety of colors and designs. Unlike blinds, curtains are available in a wide range of colors, patterns, and textures. Whether you're looking for something classic or modern, there's sure to be an option that suits your taste!
• They provide extra privacy. Curtains can block out prying eyes from outside while still letting light into the room – making them a great choice for those who value their privacy.

The Cons of Using Curtains

• They're not as easy to clean and maintain. Curtains can be difficult to keep clean. They need to be taken down, washed, and hung back up; they also require regular dusting or vacuuming in order to stay looking good.
• They don't provide much light control. It can be difficult to control the amount of light that comes in through curtains, as there's no way to adjust them like you can with blinds.

Blinds vs. Curtains Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency is becoming more and more important for homeowners. Not only does it help keep your energy bills low, but it also helps reduce carbon emissions and preserve the environment.

Unsurprisingly, the treatment you choose for your windows will have a big impact on the energy efficiency of your home. Blinds are not very good insulators, so they won't do much to keep out cold air or heat. Curtains, on the other hand, can block out both cold and hot air – making them a much better choice if you're looking for an energy-efficient window treatment.

Keep in mind, however, that milder climates with few extremes in temperature may not require as much attention to energy efficiency. In this case, the choice between blinds and curtains may come down to personal preference – you'll be able to choose whichever one looks better in your home.

Blinds vs. Curtains Cost

On the whole, blinds are typically cheaper than curtains. This is because a curtain is an entire panel of fabric, while a blind is just a few slats of lightweight material. When you compare just the materials, fabric will always be more expensive than PVC or plywood – so it makes sense that curtains are more expensive than blinds.

Of course, the cost of either one will depend on the size and quality you choose. Some blinds are also on the costlier side due to special features. For example, our Zebra Roller Shades are $107.99 for a 12 x 12 inch window, which is on par with – or more expensive than – what you'd expect to pay for a quality set of curtains.

Blinds vs. Curtains Visual Appeal

Your aesthetic choice really comes down to personal style here. Some people love the sleek, modern look of blinds, while others prefer the timeless elegance of curtains.

Curtains can easily add a touch of luxury to any room with their soft draping and romantic feel. Blinds are perfect for those who want something more minimalistic – they have a clean and contemporary look that's sure to fit in with any home decor.

Things to Consider When Choosing Between Blinds and Curtains

If you're at the point of choosing which treatment is best for your windows, there are a few factors you should take into consideration.

Light Control

First and foremost, you need to think about the amount of light control you need. For instance:

A bedroom would benefit most from blackout curtains, since they block out nearly all light.

A living room, on the other hand, might be better suited to Venetian blinds which can be adjusted to filter different amounts of light into the room.

A bathroom is best matched with blinds so that you can let in light without sacrificing privacy. You could also pair a roller shade with an opaque window film for extra privacy.

Sound Control

Blinds and curtains can also be used to reduce noise from outside. Heavy drapes are especially effective when it comes to blocking out sound, but they may not always be the best choice for a home with children or pets because of their weight.

Cellular shades are also great for noise reduction because of their honeycomb design, which traps air and dampens sound. If you don't want curtains, but you do want the noise reduction, then these are a great option.

Ease of Maintenance

There's no denying that both blinds and curtains are frustrating to install and maintain. But some treatments are easier than others. For instance, most curtains simply require you to place a rod across pre-existing hooks and hang them up.

On the other hand, blinds require more work – especially if you want to install motorized ones. So if ease of maintenance is a priority for you, then curtains might be the better option.

Size of the Room

Finally, the size of your room will also affect which window treatment you choose. If you have a small room, blinds will blend well into the wall and won't take up much space, whereas curtains can make a small room look and feel cramped.

On the other hand, if you have a large room, then curtains will work best because they'll be able to fill the entire window and add more texture to the space. Rooms with tall ceilings look particularly grand when they're adorned with long drapes.

Different Styles of Window Treatments

Thinking that perhaps curtains and blinds aren't your style? Don't worry – this is the third decade of the twentieth century, and there are plenty of other window treatments available. 

Shutters, for instance, provide a classic look and can be used to control the amount of light that enters your home. You could also go with a roller shade – these come in all sorts of colors and patterns so you're sure to find something that fits your style.

And if you really want something different, then why not try Roman blinds or layered shades? These offer a unique look and provide an added layer of insulation to help you save on energy costs.

The Bottom Line - Choosing the Best Option for You!

Blinds and curtains are two of the most common window treatments, and for good reason – both are stylish and functional. However, it can be tricky to make a final decision because of their differences in cost, visual appeal, and ease of maintenance.

Think about which window treatment would work best for your home based on the size of the room, light control needs, sound control needs, and desired aesthetic. Once you've narrowed it down to a few options – then you can decide which one is right for you!

If you're still struggling to make the call, don't hesitate to reach out to us at Factory Direct Blinds. It would be our pleasure to provide you with advice and help you find the perfect window treatment for your home. We can also help you change your blinds and install new ones!