Understanding the 10 Types of Window Treatments

When you want to dress your windows for style and function, it helps to know all the types of window treatments on the market today. Our team at Seeview Blinds & Shutters is walking you through the categories of interior coverings so you can find favorites and decide which ones will suit your Halifax area home–and lifestyle–the best!

Roman Shades

Romans are a timeless favorite, dating all the way back to…well…Roman times. Layers of cloth hung at the windows to keep out dust and ensure privacy. Classic roman shades features various styles, from overlapping fabrics in an array of fold styles, to flat front, all of which can gather up and stack at the top of the window. Modern roman shades offer the knife pleat look, with stacking or rolling operation.

roman shade bathroom window

Roller Shades

When it comes to types of window treatments, everyone seems to know about roller shades. Quite popular for homes and businesses alike, rollers offer a low profile design and work very well at providing light control and privacy. They have also become well-known for their ability to enhance contemporary design. With a wide range of fabrics, opacities and beautiful hardware, this “once basic” shade has received stunning upgrades.

Hunter Douglas roller shades on large windows with black trim, also covering french doors in this living room

Sheer Shades

They take that sleek, rolling operation, but offer a range of control in varying positions. Sheer shades tend to features double layers of sheer fabrics, with the option to utilize interior fabric vanes to close out the light and increase privacy, or invite the light in while taking in the view. The sheer fabrics diffuse light, so while you can brighten your home, the light isn’t overwhelming. Sheer shades cut the glare and provide UV protection.

Pirouette sheer shades diffuse entering light through sheer fabrics

Cellular Shades

Also known as honeycomb shades, or even referred to as pleated shades, cellular shades are designed to create an insulating barrier at the window. Forming a honeycomb shape when opened, the cellular structure creates air pockets. These air pockets trap air–keeping it from moving and mingling the exterior air with interior air. What you see at the window are beautifully designed, uniform pleats, folding flat and stacking at the top of the window.

light colored cellular shades over black trim windows

Woven Shades

Styled for beauty, but useful when it comes to light control and privacy, these window shades feature textured materials, oftentimes natural fibers or fabrics woven together for an organic, unique appearance. From our collection of woven wood shades, that are crafted from bamboo, woods, reeds and grasses, to woven textures that feature luxurious fabric collections, woven shades are one of the highly sought-after types of window treatments. Woven shades are most often known as roman shades. However, they can be roller shades as well.

Window Blinds

When people say the word “blinds,” they could be referring to any of the different types of window treatments. People now use this as a ‘blanket term’ for window coverings. But, when you want specifics, window blinds actually have their very own category. They are hard treatments, made of wood, vinyl, metal or composite materials. Thin slats tilt to close out the light or open up to the view. It’s easy to find window blinds to coordinate with the other design elements in your home, and they are simple to clean.

white blinds made of composite material in blue room

Interior Shutters

Well-known for their durability and timeless design, interior shutters have a reputation of popularity and sophistication among homeowners. Easy to maintain and simple to adjust, window shutters are crafted from wood, vinyl and composite materials. And they are also a great choice when you want to customize the shape for irregular windows doors that need handle cut-outs. The Palm Beach™ Collection is available with motorization for tilting the louvers.

home office with white shutters behind desk

Drapery

A tradition within home design, drapery is still quite popular in home’s today. Drapes are used to block out light, add a layer of insulating fabric and prevent interiors from heating up. In addition to these functional benefits, they invite luxurious style, framing the windows with custom fabrics in various colors, patterns, prints and textures. The variation in header style–how the top of the drapes is finished off–can further customize the look. Our top three styles are pinch pleat, grommet and ripplefold. Layering drapery with other window coverings is a gorgeous statement.

dining room with woven shades and drapery in printed fabric

Vertical Blinds

The doors and large windows of your home need quality coverage. For years, homeowners have used vertical blinds to cover large surfaces of glass. They adjust open easily, allowing you access to your outdoor space or to simply take in the view. Vertical blinds are often created with fabrics, wood and vinyl. Durability is in mind for high traffic zones.

fabric vertical blinds over large living room picture window

Vertical Shades

Similar to vertical blinds, these shades are useful for covering doors and large windows easily. Featuring smooth operating systems, vertical shades feel like they are gliding over the track. They make these door treatments out of fabric, vinyl or natural fibers. It’s a dramatic statement to style your vertical shades to complement the decor within your home.

Panel track blinds that feature shade-like materials to coordinate well with roller shades.

Similar to sheer shades with horizontal orientation, Privacy sheers that are designed to invite natural light with option to block it out.

sheer shades vertical privacy sheers

Which Style Suits You?

You are now the expert on which types of window treatments could fit you best! Which ones do you love? Did you see anything new that you’d like to hear more about? Get in touch with our team at Seeview Blinds & Shutters. We’d love to come visit you for a free in-home consultation.