How To Buy Window Coverings
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There are multiple advantages to purchasing window coverings. Not only do they provide more privacy, but they make your home more attractive and they also provide insulation, making your home more energy efficient. There are many types and styles of window coverings on the market coming in a wide range of prices.
It is always smart to have an idea what you want before you begin and then to shop around before making your final decision. You can find a myriad of treatment styles in magazines, design books and catalogs or by visiting retails stores and model homes.
The two main considerations are the type of window treatment you prefer and the overall cost of the job. The type of window covering will come under the heading of hard treatment or soft treatment. A hard treatment refers basically to blinds and shades and includes horizontal and mini blinds, cellular shades, wood shades, roller shades, and shutters, among others. A blind is a slatted treatment that offers light control while a shade operates up and down to bring in light or prevent it from coming in. A soft treatment, meanwhile, refers to anything involving fabric, such as drapery, a valance, or a Roman shade.
The next big consideration is cost. This will vary depending on the type of window covering you have chosen, the material, how much of the work you do yourself, and how many layers you have. While it is generally less expensive to go with a private label as opposed to a name brand, you will want to check with the retailer of the private label product first and ask about the length and coverage of the warranty that is offered. Just because it is a private label doesn't suggest an inferior product. If the warranty is satisfactory and you re happy with the material, then for you it is a good choice.
Checking ads in the newspaper, visiting local retailers, and looking online are some of the ways you can gauge the price of your project. Some things, such as custom window treatments, will vary widely in cost, but you can still get a pretty good idea of the net overall cost of your particular project by comparing prices and doing a little homework.
With hard treatments (blinds and shades), the least expensive product is generally mini blinds and the most expensive is generally custom shutters, with lots of choices in between. Within each product line there are also varying degrees of quality and cost.
The guarantees offered with hard treatments will differ also, depending on the company and the product. Some companies offer one-year guarantees while others give lifetime or limited lifetime guarantees. As with any such transaction, you will want to get your guarantee or warranty in writing.
With soft treatments (fabrics), there is generally excellent craftsmanship. That is a given. The craftsmanship is not the question, though; the one potential drawback is the durability of the fabric, which is not normally guaranteed. There are ways around even this, however. If you like a certain fabric, then discuss its strong points and weak points with your retailer and/or designer. Encourage them to be frank and let their knowledge work on your behalf.
Ready-made window treatments are offered in selected sizes to the retailer by the manufacturer and are less expensive than made-to-order treatments or custom treatments. For many homeowners, these ready-made treatments fit their budget and work just fine. Others go for the made-to-order treatments because there are more options available in styles, sizes and fabrics, even if the price is a bit higher. Custom window treatments are the most expensive route to take, but for many the end result is worth the price. A custom window treatment is designed, fabricated and installed specifically to a particular window and has a certain beauty all its own.
If you get into the project and begin to feel overwhelmed, don't be afraid to call for help! There are a number of capable designers available and this is what they do for a living. Give them the information they need to achieve for you the look you are after and then watch them go to work. If you're not sure who to contact, call a friend or a local retailer and ask them to recommend someone.
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