Differences of Curtains, Blinds, Shades, and Window Tints

Homeowners can utilize different types of window treatments to decorate their home’s interior, manage the sunlight that comes into different home areas, and improve privacy and security. In general, window treatments are distinguished into two categories: window coverings and window tints. 

Window coverings are made with different materials and are installed over the windows. The three most common types of window coverings are curtains, blinds, and shades. 

These three window coverings are essentially used for purely decorative purposes and to manage sunlight and privacy. Accordingly, the main difference between the three window coverings mentioned above is their materials and structure: curtains are wide fabric panels; blinds can be made with different materials such as vinyl slats (louvers), bamboo, aluminum, or wood; and, shades are made with soft fabric but is structured almost similar to blinds.  

On the other hand, window tints are thin laminated films that are directly installed on glass windows. When homeowners opt to invest in window tinting in Duncan SC, they can essentially block most of the sun’s UV rays and solar heat from entering their home, resulting in reduced temperature imbalances. Accordingly, installing window tints can enable them to leverage still daylighting, the technique in which natural light is leveraged to illuminate the room and reduce reliance on artificial lights.

Installing window coverings and investing in window tint films both offer numerous benefits to homeowners – this is most especially in the aspect of addressing the excessive amounts of sunlight and UV rays coming into the home areas. However, what differs between window coverings like curtains, blinds, and shades, and window tints is the obscuring of outdoor views and maintenance. 

Window coverings can completely block the outside views; meanwhile, window tinting in Deridder LA only limits the sunlight coming into the home without totally blocking the outdoor views. Moreover, window coverings will require more attention and maintenance than window tints, as the former can have dust build up over time. 

See this infographic from KEPLER Window Films and Coatings to learn more about the differences between curtains, blinds, shades, and window tints.