Comparisons & Buying Guides

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Silhouette shades cast shadows in a modern living room

Discover the various types of window shades: their features, benefits, and ideal applications.

Learn about motorized, Roman, pleated, cellular, and matchstick shades, among others, and read practical advice on selection, installation, and maintenance.

Close-up of Sound-Dampening Curtains
Sound-dampening curtains combine several layers of dense, heavy materials, such as polyester, velvet, or special acoustic fabrics. These layers trap sound waves before they enter your room. They don’t block all sound, but they block much of it. Think of them as sound sponges, soaking up unwanted noise from outside...
3D rendering of arched windows.

Arched windows are architectural gems.

They’re also an architectural nuisance if you can’t find the right window treatments.

No one wants an uncovered eye-level window, but so many coverings detract from that graceful arched form. What’s a homeowner to do?

The honeycomb structure of cellular shades.
No one likes shelling out hard-earned cash (or credit) to the power companies — not even their shareholders. But did you know that a simple change in your window treatments can make a big difference? Energy-efficient window treatments spruce up your space and slash those hefty power bills. According to...
A bathroom with white shutters and gold fixtures.
No one disputes the natural beauty of natural wood, but composite shutters come close in the aesthetics department. In certain situations, they may be a better choice. Here, we’ll dig into the pros and cons of wood and composite shutters to help you make the right decision for your home...
A woman standing in front of a window.

Curtains or shades?

It’s more than an aesthetic choice — each window treatment has pros and cons, including light control, noise insulation, ease of cleaning, and longevity.

In this blog, we’ll cover their respective strengths and weaknesses to help you make the best decision for your home.

A living room with large windows and white furniture.
Large windows offer breathtaking views and abundant natural light, but they also come with challenges. One concern is how to cover them for optimal privacy, light control, and energy efficiency. The other is how to align existing window shades exactly as you fiddle with them throughout the day. You’re just...
A room with a window seat and motorized roller shades.
Motorized or manual? We’re not talking about easy chairs or can openers, but the window treatments you’re considering for your home. Each type has its pros and cons — and the cons may not be obvious until they hit you in the face. Have you ever tried to operate a...
A woman covering her ears with her hands.
When was the last time you enjoyed a good night’s sleep? It hardly helps that they expanded the road by your home, transforming a once-quiet strip into the Winternationals. And then there’s that kid racing by on his unmuffled motorcycle. Several times. Late at night. Fear not; we’ve got you...
A bay window in a living room with flowers and a book.
Bay windows are architectural gems that open a room to the outdoors. Like any gem, they need a great setting to truly shine. Many standard window treatments don’t do bay windows justice. They can’t fit the angles and curves of these convex creations, or they block too much natural light....
A child's room with a crib and a teddy bear.
Few things are more exciting than bringing a new baby into your home. New blinds are exciting, too, and there’s no reason you can’t have both. Not all window treatments work well in a nursery. Corded blinds aren’t the best choice for the room you’re busy decorating with kiddie decals....
A woman sitting at a desk with a cat looking out the window.
Congrats! You landed that remote work position you’ve been bucking for all these years. No more traffic snarls or 90-minute commutes to the office, where you’ll be chained to a cubicle until it’s time to catch the 5:30 traffic jam home. You’re a free person! Now you can pretend to...