Window Treatments Basics

Window treatment basics is a complicated subject, especially when faced with the countless choices that are available. The two main families of window treatments are hard and soft. Depending on the decorative and functional needs of your room, hard and soft window treatments can be used alone or in combination with each other.
Hard and Durable

Hard window treatments include blinds, shutters, screens, and specialty glass applications:

* Blinds are offered in numerous forms such as Venetians (or slat blinds), miniblinds, verticals, and woven wood. The two most fashionable trends in this category are wooden slat blinds and woven wood blinds. Wooden blinds are generally constructed of horizontal wood slats about 2” wide and come in a wide selection of stain colors. A popular variation on the wooden blind is a faux wood blind made of synthetic materials that simulate wood. Woven wood blinds consist of split wood or bamboo and are interwoven with fiber or yarn. This exotic look is becoming more mainstream and can enhance traditional or contemporary rooms by adding subtle texture.

* Shutters are a classic window treatment that is still in high demand and not likely to go out of style anytime soon. Due to their detailed installation, shutters can be one of the most expensive hard window treatments. Shutters can be built with wood or faux wood materials, and they provide excellent insulating value.

* Screens are another hard window treatment which includes Japanese-style shojis and grills. Shoji screens are wooden frames with rice paper panes that permit light to gently filter into a room while providing privacy. Shojis are suitable not only for Asian themed rooms, but also for minimalist and contemporary interiors. Grills have a long history in both Spanish and Middle Eastern window designs. These pierced or grillwork screens employ striking patterns and a variety of metallic finishes.

* Specialty glass encompasses window treatments such as stained glass, beveled glass, glass blocks, frosted glass, and liquid crystal technology. Stained glass is particularly useful for a window that has an undesirable view or for a window that is not likely to be opened on a regular basis. Custom stained glass windows can be permanently installed or a framed piece can be hung on top of an existing window. Liquid crystal technology allows a window to change from clear to opaque with the flip of a switch. These pricey modern marvels use liquid crystal droplets and electricity to achieve this effect.
The Softer Side

Soft window treatments include the use of fabric such as draperies, curtains, shades, and valances:

* Draperies are heavy fabric panels which help regulate a window’s privacy, light, and temperature. They are usually installed with a traverse rod which draws the drapes across the length of the window. A less functional yet very chic option is the fixed drapery panel which remains at the sides of the window and mainly serves to beautify the room. Curtains are very similar to draperies, but are made with lighter weight fabrics which are more casual and mostly just decorative.

* Shades are increasingly popular and include Roman shades, Austrian shades, pleated fabric shades, roller shades, and interior sun control shades. Romans are very versatile and can be flat, hobbled, or pleated. This shade softly folds horizontally as it is lifted up by a cord. Interior sun control shades began as a commercial application (you may have seen them in your favorite restaurant’s windows). Sun control shades have the unique feature of reducing glare and heat without blocking sunlight or your view of the outside.

* Valances are non-functional window treatments that adorn only the top portion of a window. The shape of valances can be fashioned into swags, cascades, or jabots. A variation on valances is the cornice top treatment. Cornices are assembled pieces of wood, metal, or foam which are custom shaped and then typically covered with fabric.


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