<a href="/blinds/wood-blinds">Real wood blinds</a> are mostly chosen for the warmth and beauty they can add to a room. &nbsp;Most wood blinds available in the United States are made out of basswood which is cut using the wood from the Linden tree. &nbsp;Basswood is often called North American Hardwood because the species of wood used is native to North America. &nbsp;Basswood is a very stable wood that resists warping and ages beautifully. &nbsp;White colors and black are painted wood slats. &nbsp;All other wood colors are generated by using wood stains on the surface.&nbsp;Wood blinds are approximately 50% lighter than faux wood blinds. &nbsp;This lighter weight allows the factory to use fewer ladders or cloth tapes to support the slats. &nbsp;Also, wood slats are rigid and hold their shape better. &nbsp;This means the ends of the slats have less of a tendency to sag slightly.&nbsp;Our <a href="/blinds/wood-blinds/2-inch-deluxe-wood-blinds">2" Deluxe Wood Blinds</a> are custom-made blinds that blinds come in a wide variety of colors and offer many options: &nbsp;Custom control positions can be ordered (i.e., reverse controls with the lift on the right and the tilt on the left or same side controls with both controls on either the left or right side) along with other options like: &nbsp;2on1 or 3on1 blinds (2 or 3 blinds hanging from the same metal headrail at the top), cordless lift, and optional valances.&nbsp;The disadvantage of wood blinds is that they will not withstand exposure to water or heavy humidity. &nbsp;You can clean wood blinds by dusting them regularly. &nbsp;You can occasionally wipe the slats with a damp cloth but take care to wring the cloth as dry as possible before using.

Wood Blinds

<a href="/blinds/faux-wood-blinds">Faux wood blinds</a> are made from PVC that is extruded into slats. &nbsp;It is extremely important to buy faux wood blinds from a reputable company that will certify that the slats were made with UV protection and stabilizing agents that prevent warpage. &nbsp;The highest rated faux wood slats available in the United States today are certified to resist changing color when exposed to intense UV rays (much stronger than normal UV rays generated by the Sun) for 5 hours. &nbsp;All the faux wood blinds on Blindster’s site are rated as 5-hour faux wood. &nbsp;Blindster’s faux wood slats are also manufactured with stabilizing chemicals that resist warping.&nbsp;The main advantage of faux wood blinds is the economical price. &nbsp;This is especially the case on our <a href="/blinds/faux-wood-blinds/2-super-value-cordless-faux-wood-blinds">2" Super Value Cordless Faux Wood</a> (our most economical horizontal blinds) are partially manufactured overseas and shipped to the United States. &nbsp;Our U.S. factory then adjusts the width and the length of the blind when your order is placed. &nbsp;However, these blinds only come in limited colors with standard controls (lift on the left and tilt on the right) and no options or features.&nbsp;The <a href="/blinds/faux-wood-blinds/2-inch-deluxe-cordless-faux-wood-blinds">2" Deluxe Faux Wood Blinds</a>, <a href="/blinds/faux-wood-blinds/2-5-deluxe-cordless-faux-wood-blinds">2-1/2" Deluxe Faux Wood Blinds</a> and <a href="/blinds/faux-wood-blinds/2-inch-premium-cordless-faux-wood-blinds">2" Premium Faux Wood Blinds</a>, while still offered at a budget-friendly price, are all custom-made blinds. &nbsp;These blinds come in a wide variety of colors and offer many options: &nbsp;Custom control positions can be ordered (i.e., reverse controls with the lift on the right and the tilt on the left or same side controls with both controls on either the left or right side) along with other options like: &nbsp;2on1 or 3on1 blinds (2 or 3 blinds hanging from the same metal headrail at the top), cordless lift, and optional valances.&nbsp;The second advantage of faux wood blinds is that moisture will not cause the blinds to warp. &nbsp;That means that you can use these slats in your kitchen, bathrooms or other areas that have high humidity levels. &nbsp;This moisture resistance also makes them easier to clean without worrying about applying too much water to the surface of the slat.&nbsp;The disadvantages of faux wood blinds are that they are heavier and the slats are much more flexible than wood blinds.&nbsp;That extra weight along with the less rigid slats means that there are more ladders needed when manufacturing the blind to support the slats so they don’t droop or sag. &nbsp;For example, a typical 36" wide x 60" wide Faux wood blind would have 4 ladders or tapes while a wood blind would only have 3.&nbsp;The extra weight also means that fauxw ood blinds are harder to lift, especially if the blind is large (over 54" wide). &nbsp;However, 2" horizontal blinds are mainly made to operate by tilting the slats open or closed. &nbsp;The only time they are usually lifted is when you are cleaning the windows. &nbsp;If you plan to lift your blinds on a regular basis, a wood blind is the better choice.

Faux Wood Blinds

Blinds, Shades & Shutters

Product Comparison

Deciding which type of blind to buy depends on your budget, the environment of the room and how you intend to use your blinds.

Should I Buy Real Wood or Fauxwood Blinds? | Blindster Blog

Should I Buy Real Wood or Faux Wood Blinds?

New to <a href="/shades/cellular-shades">cellular shades</a>? No problem. Cellular shades have cell pockets. When you look at them from the side, they have a honeycomb shape.&nbsp;But beyond the simple and obvious aesthetic difference, they perform four additionally important functions:<ul><li>You get greater energy efficiency because of their insulating effect</li><li>More harmful UV rays are blocked out</li><li>They keep a little more noise out too</li><li>They block light and darken you room a little</li></ul>

First of All, What Are Cellular Shades?

Let’s start with the obvious one. <a href="/shades/cellular-shades?cell-layers=single-cell">Single cell shades</a> have just one layer of cells. Double cell shades have one row closer to the window interconnected with one closer to the room.&nbsp;Because of their two layers, double cell shades give you better insulation from loud noise. They also insulate you and increase your energy efficiency a little better than single-cell shades do.&nbsp;<a href="/shades/cellular-shades?cell-layers=double-cell">Double cell shades</a> usually come in smaller sizes – less than ½ inch. Single cell shades range in cell and pleat widths from 3/8 inch to 2 inches.&nbsp;Typically, shades with a 3/8 inch to 1/2 inch cell measurement for smaller windows. The narrower fabric cells fit much better with shallower window openings. And these openings may or may not work with cells larger in size.&nbsp;From an aesthetic point of view, if you use small rows of cells in a big window, you can get a “busy” look you and other family members may not like. Because they come in larger cell sizes, single cell shades look better in bigger picture windows.&nbsp;The smaller shade sizes of 3/8 inch and under work well in bathrooms. The cells trap air inside the fabric pockets, and the higher humidity and dramatic temperature changes don’t impact them negatively.

What’s the Difference Between Single and Double Cell Shades?

Most of the air your home leaks goes out through the windows. Mid-size cells – between 9/16" and 3/4" - are great insulators that keep your home the right temperature and your energy bills low.

Mid-Size Cellular Shades are Awesome Energy Savers

Now you know the basics of single and double cell shades. So, that’s another decision off your plate.&nbsp;&nbsp;Which makes most sense for your home? You can find exactly what you want online or communicate it to a store associate at <a href="/">Blindster.com</a>.

That’s One Less Decision to Make...

Insulation

Cellular Shades

When should you use single cell and when do double cell shades make sense? The differences are straightforward. Find out what they are in this post.

Single Cell vs Double Cell Shades | Blindster Blog

Single Cell vs Double Cell Shades

During the day, solar shades are see-through from inside the room but prevent viewing from outside the window. The amount you’ll be able to see through a solar shade depends on the shade’s opacity, which typically ranges from 14% to 1%. This "openness" factor refers to the amount of UV light that can pass through the shade, so the lower the number, the tighter the weave of the fabric and the more light that is blocked.

Are Solar Shades See Through?

As the shade's openness factor gets smaller, the fabric not only blocks more light it also reduces the view-through to the outside. A shade with a 1% opacity blocks 99% of UV rays, while a 14% shade only blocks 86% of sunlight. The larger weave of the 14% shade makes it easier to see through than the tight weave of the 1% shade.

Shade's Openness Factor

You might ask, are solar shades also see-through at night? Yes, but not in the way you might think. Solar shades are see-through during the day due to the outside light coming through the window. At night, the primary light source is inside the home, so the situation reverses. Solar shades at night can be seen through from the outside but are opaque from inside the house looking outside.

Solar Shades at Night

Solar shades do provide privacy during the day. However solar shades at night are see-through unless paired with another type of window treatment. The best use of solar shades is in rooms with excess sunlight, where you would benefit from daytime privacy but not need privacy at night. Because of this, solar shades are generally not the best choice for bedrooms or bathrooms when installed on their own. Where privacy is needed, we recommend adding a second window treatment for nighttime privacy or select a different style of <a href="/shades">shades</a> or <a href="/blinds">blinds</a>.

Solar Shades Privacy

Blindster provides top-quality, energy-efficient <a href="/shades/solar-shades">solar shades</a>, <a href="/blinds">blinds</a>, and <a href="/shutters">shutters</a>. Browse the <a href="/search">Blindster collection</a> to quickly find the features you want in your window treatments, including <a href="/features/blackout-shades">blackout shades</a>, <a href="/features/motorized-blinds-and-shades">motorized shades</a>, and <a href="/features/energy-efficient-shades">energy-efficient window treatments</a>. Be sure to <a href="/free-samples">order a free sample </a>today so you can evaluate the look and texture of our blinds and shades.

See which Solar Shade is Right for You

Common Questions

Solar Shades

Opacity

Solar shades are meant to block out all the sunlight. Is it possible to see through them at all? Or is your privacy 100% safe? Find out in this post.

Can You See Through Interior Solar Shades? | Blindster Blog

Can You See Through Interior Solar Shades?

You may have seen standard window shades composed of a single thick piece of fabric. <a href="/shades/cellular-shades?cell-layers=single-cell">Single cellular shades</a> differ from double cellular shades in that they are made out of fabric arranged in a "pop-out" cellular shape. This is why they are also known as "honeycomb shades." To explain further: if you’re looking directly at the shades as they sit in the window, they almost resemble a pleated shade. However, looking at the part of the shade that fits against the window frame you will see the cells that resemble honeycomb.&nbsp;With this design, single cellular shades are able to keep out more light, UV rays, and heat or cold than what's expected with standard shades.

Single Cellular Shades 

Like single cellular shades, <a href="/shades/cellular-shades?cell-layers=double-cell">double cellular shades</a> are also designed to serve the purpose of improving energy efficiency at the same time that they neatly fit into a room's color scheme. This type of window shade also has a cellular shape instead of being a single piece of fabric, but double cellular shades have an additional layer of cells. While single cellular shades have one pop-out layer of cellular shapes, double cellular shades have two. One layer closer to the room and one layer closer to the window. Another aesthetic difference is the size of the pleats. The pleats in a double cellular shade are typically smaller than the pleats in a single cellular shade. &nbsp;&nbsp;Double cellular shades serve the same purpose as single cellular shades, but to a greater degree. They block out more noise, temperature, light, and UV rays than their single-celled counterparts. &nbsp;

Double Cellular Shades 

There are several things to consider when deciding which type of cellular shades you'd like to use in your home. &nbsp;&nbsp;Single cellular shades are typically more attractive in appearance, so if you are looking for something sleek and stylish, single cellular shades are likely to serve you better than double cellular shades. &nbsp;&nbsp;If you live in an area with extreme weather or a lot of noise pollution, double cellular shades might be a better choice. Their second layer of cells provides more light-blocking capabilities in addition to keeping the temperature of your home regulated by preventing hot and cold air from passing through the windows. &nbsp;&nbsp;You may find that you have different visions for different rooms in your home. For example, you might want to block as much light and sound from your bedroom as possible but want to make sure that the morning sun floods your kitchen. &nbsp;&nbsp;Depending on the way that your home is positioned, you might want to protect the sides of your home that see the most sunlight with double cellular shades, while the more shaded sides of your home only need singles. There’s nothing that says you cannot combine shade types. The decisions you see fit for your home are completely up to you. No matter how you opt to cover your windows, you'll be able to choose an attractive, efficient option with shades.&nbsp;

Which Do You Need?

Whether you have just bought a new home or you're simply planning on redecorating, you have a lot to consider as you transform your living space.

What's the Difference Between Single and Double Cellular Shades? | Blindster Blog

What's the Difference Between Single and Double Cellular Shades?

The Bunch

Charity

United Way

Donation

Coronavirus

Covid-19

Blindster.com helped support national COVID relief efforts with a donation to United Way, helping those less fortunate to make ends meet during uncertain times.

Blindster Supports National COVID-19 Efforts with Over $60,000 in Donations to United Way | Blindster Blog

Blindster Supports National COVID-19 Efforts with Over $60,000 in Donations to United Way

Breathe some life into your workspace to inspire you. Who knows, you might even look forward to working! You need a home office that is ergonomic, practical, clean, and comfortable. Otherwise, you may as well work at the kitchen table. You can make your home office more appealing by adding a lovely plant. A plant can help you feel calm and <a href="https://www.livescience.com/38445-indoor-plants-clean-air.html">improve air quality</a>.

1. Go Green

Even if you work all day in your home office, adding art will energize your workspace and keep you motivated. You can also create your own artwork and have it framed.

2. Get Artsy

Contrary to popular belief, you should choose a color that speaks to you and not a trendy color. Choose a color that provides a perfect background to motivate you to become more productive. Whether you paint the office shelves, ceiling, and walls with a single color to make your workspace feel larger, a color-filled environment will make you feel more inspired to work from your home office.

3. Choose the Right Color

Most offices have plain lighting like fluorescents. The reason why most offices opt for plain and cold lighting is to provide workers with sufficient lighting. You strain your eyes enough by staring at your screen most of the day. Therefore, don’t limit lighting on your home office. Make use of natural light and supplement it where it falls short.

Don’t Forget Lighting

According to a recent study pioneered by Cornell University, temperature affects productivity. Productivity will drop when temperatures go below 63 degrees and above 82 degrees. &nbsp;Without the right temperatures, employees have been found to waste 10 percent of their time every hour and make approximately 44 percent more mistakes.&nbsp;To ensure that your home office has the right temperatures, use shades to help reduce heat transfer through your office windows. This can lower your energy bills and make your home office more comfortable during the hot summer days.

5. Regulate Temperature

Design & Decor

Home Office

Decorating

Whether you work from home or use your home office for occasional telecommute, you deserve more than just a desk and a chair stuffed in a corner.

Guide to Decorating Your Home Office | Blindster Blog

Guide to Decorating Your Home Office

If your guests are planning to stay for more than a couple of days, they will want to take their clothes and personal items from their suitcases. Ensure that you clear the dresser drawers and leave some empty hangers.

Clear the drawers and closet spaces

Include a basket filled with disposable toothbrushes, fresh towels, over-the-counter medication, and toiletries. This means that your guests won’t have to bother you in case they forgot anything at home.

Prepare an amenity basket

Don’t put an old squeaky bed into your guest room and expect that your guests will enjoy their sleep. The squeak will awaken them. It’s also important that you invest in a quality mattress and an assortment of pillows and pillowcases to make the bed as comfortable as possible.

Make the bed more comfortable

To bring life into your guest room, add fresh flowers. These flowers will also give your space a nice scent. Additionally, if your room is a little bland, adding fresh flowers will improve its color.

Fresh flowers

Nothing will help your guests relax more than an inviting bed with soft and clean linens. To transform your guest room into a luxurious space, go for white cotton sheets. A linen duvet cover is also an excellent guest-bedroom choice. Its crinkly appearance means that your guests won’t need to spend time making the perfect bed.

Bedding

Most of your guests will sleep best in complete darkness. To help create the perfect sleeping environment for your guests, you may need a blackout . If you install a shade or blinder first, you must add another layer. The layer may include patterned curtains or sheer ones. To brighten up your guest room, get curtains with attractive patterns.

Install shades and blinds

Holidays

Guest Room

Your guests deserve a comfortable and restful guest room - check out these tips from Blindster.com

Tips to Get Your Guest Room Ready Before the Holidays | Blindster Blog

Tips to Get Your Guest Room Ready Before the Holidays

The right blinds can actually highlight your view of the outside world. You just have to choose blinds that best fit the size of the window and mesh with the rest of your home.

1. They can spoil the view

This myth might scare the clean-conscious; fortunately, you can buy blinds that are easy to maintain. It just depends upon the material. Most of the custom blinds in the market are <a href="/blog/how-to-clean-your-blinds-and-shades/">very easy to clean</a>; all you have to do is to dust or wipe lightly with a damp cloth when needed.

2. They are hard to clean

This is another myth about blinds that refuses to fade. The durability of blinds depends on their material. Some types of blinds, for instance, aluminum, wood, and faux wood blinds are incredibly durable and can last years.

3. They are not long-lasting and can break easily

The hanging cords of corded blinds can be hazardous for kids as well as pets; however, you can wrap up the extra stretch of the threads to minimize the risk of an accident. Additionally, you can choose from a variety of cordless and motorized window coverings, which can be run with one touch of a remote control button or even a smartphone.

4. You can't have them in your home if you have small children

Regardless of the size of your window, there are custom made window blinds that can fit it. High-quality blinds are readily available in the market. Select any type you want to install and have it customized to match your exact specs for a better style and fit.

5. There are few choices in the market

Most people believe that something can only be of good quality because it's expensive. Well, the reality is that there are lots of replicas out there and distinguishing amongst them is never an easy thing. You can choose from a wide range of pocket-friendly blinds that will fit your budget and install blinds in any room of your home without breaking the bank. <a href="/">Browse our selection</a> today!

6. Expensive means the best quality

Blinds are the most economical window treatment options in the market today. They come in numerous sizes and colors, as well as style. Whichever type of blind you are looking for, don’t let myths stop you from buying high quality blinds. Visit Blindster today for a wide variety of quality blinds.

Bottom Line – Don’t Let Myths Confuse You

Aluminum Mini Blinds

Myths

Vertical Blinds

There are a concerning number of myths surrounding blinds, which can complicate things for the average customer. Fortunately, we have you covered! 6 Myths...

6 Common Myths About Blinds | Blindster Blog

6 Common Myths About Blinds

Regardless of the type of blinds you have – Metal, wooden or fabric, the following tips will help you clean and maintain your blinds:

Tips on how to clean your blinds

Most metal blinds are made from aluminum, and they are known for their durability. They can withstand exposure to the sun for long without getting damaged. To clean your metal blinds, use a dry rag to wipe the dust. If it has been a while since you last cleaned your blinds, use gentle soap and clean water.

Aluminum blinds

These types of blinds are often treated using a unique finish to help repel stains. Of course, they will collect dust, so regular dusting with a feather duster or using the soft brush attachment of a vacuum is necessary. Use a good quality furniture polish to clean the <a href="/blinds/wood-blinds">wood blinds</a>. Get a clean cloth and spray the furniture polish on it and wipe the slats individually.&nbsp;

Wood blinds

While wood blinds look great, if you want a natural look of wood, <a href="https://www.blindster.com/blinds/faux-wood-blinds">faux woods</a> are a great alternative, especially because they are more affordable compared to wood blinds. Additionally, cleaning and maintaining them is easier. Faux wood blinds aren’t affected by water because they are more resistant to moisture than actual wood. To clean them, use a soft clean rag with soap to wipe down the slats.

Faux wood blinds

Are your blinds old and worn out? While cleaning them may be easy, replacing your discolored blinds will upgrade the look of your bedroom, living room, or kitchen. Your new blinds will improve the aesthetic features of your home while keeping your loved ones safe.

Replace your old window blinds

How To

Cleaning

White Blinds

Even the most meticulous homeowners forget to clean their blinds; however, if that is you, you might want to make a habit of it. When you neglect your blinds,...

Keeping White Blinds Clean | Blindster Blog

Keeping White Blinds Clean

If you've never bought blinds or shades online before, one purchase from us will likely change the way you shop for window treatments forever. Over the years, we've watched many homeowners who were initially hesitant about buying their window coverings over the internet become loyal customers who can't imagine purchasing their blinds and shades anywhere else.&nbsp;We're proud to make customers for life when people order from us, and it often happens because of these six reasons:

6 Reasons to Buy Window Treatments Online

Big box retail stores often can't compete with us on price. That's because we focus specifically on blinds and shades and don't need large showrooms to house our products. All of our products are available to be browsed online rather than in person in warehouse-like storefronts, and we pass the savings from those key differences on to our customers. In addition, we also work closely with the manufacturers of a variety of blinds and shades to make sure we get the best prices, which is yet another advantage that our customers enjoy.

1. Lower prices

When you buy blinds and shades in a store, it can be difficult to determine their exact dimensions and installation options. It's also difficult to determine their quality or value and whether other customers are happy with them. Attempts to find reviews can be fruitless, and that can create anxiety for many homeowners—especially if they're looking to purchase many window coverings at once. But when you buy your blinds or shades from Blindster, all the information you need is right on the product page, including precise measurement options and maximum lengths and widths, customer reviews, and even the types of materials used in the manufacturing process.

2. Getting relevant information is quick and easy

Many of our customers want some degree of customization when they order blinds or shades from us. Whether it's choosing specific colors and patterns, specific dimensions to fit certain windows in their homes, or requiring specific options like blackout liners and top-down/bottom-up operation, getting those requirements takes seconds during the checkout process when you buy through Blindster. But in a big box retail store, you have to contend with many obstacles, including limited customization, out of stock products, and prolonged waiting periods to get what you want—if they're even capable of fulfilling your request at all.

3. Customization is a breeze

What good are window treatments that let in too much light? That's a reality for countless homeowners who bought their blinds and shades at big box retail stores—including those who requested specific lengths and widths. Window coverings that are installed straight out of a box almost never fit correctly, resulting in huge light leaks or impossible installations due to simply being too big for a given window. &nbsp;In addition, big box retail stores don't always custom cut blinds and shades correctly, which means providing them with precise measurements may still result in poor fits. At Blindster, we provide <a href="/how-to-measure">detailed measuring instructions</a> for our products to help homeowners get perfect fits, and we make sure they're cut to extreme precision when orders are placed.

4. More likely to get a perfect fit

Seeing blinds and shades in person won't help much if you can't replicate their colors and patterns in your home. The lighting in big box stores is often significantly different than the lighting in an average home, and window treatments can look dramatically different in each environment. But before you make a purchase from Blindster, you can <a href="/free-samples">order free samples</a> to get a better idea of how a particular window covering will look in each room of your home. We highly recommend taking advantage of this service, as it's an easy step that will help ensure that you love your new blinds and shades.

5. Free samples help you choose the right color and pattern

When you buy window coverings from most big box retail stores, you get their standard return policy and that's about it. At some stores, you may have only a few weeks to make a return. And with your busy lifestyle, you may simply not have enough time to get out your new blinds and shades and ensure that they match your décor, that they're cut to fit your windows, or that they're able to be installed where you want to hang them.&nbsp;At Blindster, we offer a <a href="/policies">60-day satisfaction guarantee</a>. If you don't like your purchase, contact us within 60 days of receiving it and we'll work to help you find a suitable replacement or issue you a refund. In addition, we also offer an optional 5-year accident protection plan for damaged products so you can rest easy.

6. Better guarantees and warranties

Online Shopping

Wondering where is the best place to shop for custom window treatments? Find out why the big box stores can't compete with the Blindster difference!

Why Choose Blindster over Big Box Retail Stores? | Blindster Blog

Why Choose Blindster over Big Box Retail Stores?

<a href="/blog/rundown-on-cellular-shades">Cellular shades</a> are the best insulating shade there is. Period! When it’s hot outside, you want your house to be cool. When it’s cold outside, you want your house to be warm. Cellular Shades help you achieve this. The cells trap air and create a barrier between the window and the room. The barrier can be a single cellular shade, or for increased insulation, a double cellular shade which has two layers of cells.&nbsp;According to the <a href="https://www.nrdc.org/stories/easy-ways-save-energy-home">Natural Resources Defense Council</a>, all the gaps around windows and doors in an average American house is the equivalent of a 3-foot by 3-foot hole in the wall. WOW! Cellular Shades are ranked by their R-value, which determines how well they can insulate. The higher the R-Value, the more of that 3-by-3 hole you’re covering up!

Cellular Shades are extremely popular, which means, they are made in a huge variety of styles and colors. Various shades have various cell sizes (which may or may not have an effect on your decision). They also come in your standard neutral colors, like Almond, Coffee and Storm. But you can also find them in colors that POP, like&nbsp; Ocean, Teaberry or Forest.

Style

We know what you’re thinking… how are shades not safe? Easy answer—the cords. Dangling cords are dangerous for both children and pets. Some children have been put in the face of grave danger when dealing with corded shades. The solution is simple… just take away the cords!&nbsp;Okay, we see the gears turning in your head. You can’t just take the cords out of shades… can you? No. You can’t. The shades still have cords. But as you’ll see in the image below, the only cords the shade has are internal. <a href="/blog/what-are-cordless-blinds">No external dangling cords? No problem</a>.

Safety

Of course there are other shades out there… but like we asked before… do those shades really give you everything you want? Like the opportunity to walk around the house in a robe without having to worry about neighbors peeping in? Well… <a href="/shades/cellular-shades?lift-type=cordless">Cordless Cellular Shades</a> sure do. :)&nbsp;What if you want to let light in without everyone in your business? <a href="/shades/cellular-shades?lift-type=tdbu">Top Down Bottom Up Shades.</a>&nbsp;What if you want to block anyone from seeing even shadows? <a href="/shades/cellular-shades?light-control=blackout">Blackout Shades</a>.&nbsp;What if you want the light in, but no one to be able to make out too much in your home? <a href="/shades/cellular-shades?light-control=light-filtering">Light Filtering Shades</a>.&nbsp;In the (paraphrased) words of Young MC: If you want it, baby [Cordless Cellular Shades] got it.

Privacy 

Great question! It depends on what type of cordless function you select while customizing your shades. You can choose:<ul><li>SafeLock Cordless Lift: Lift your shade with the press of a button. Release the button to lock it into place.</li><li>SafeLock Cordless Top Down Bottom Up Lift: Lift or Lower the bottom or top of your shade with the simple press of a button.</li><li>Standard Cordless Top Down Bottom Up Lift: Just lift or lower the plastic lips on the top rail or bottom rail of the shade.</li><li>Standard Cordless Lift: Just lift the plastic lip on the bottom rail of the shade to the desired height.</li><li><a href="/shades/cellular-shades?lift-type=motorized">Motorized</a>: Why not just lift your shades with the tap of a finger? Pick your desired height from the comfort of your recliner.</li></ul>

How do Cordless Cellular Shades Work?

We know. If anyone ever told you that you couldn’t have it all, they were lying. And they obviously don’t own any <a href="/shades/cellular-shades?lift-type=cordless">cordless cellular shades</a>.

Okay, these shades seem pretty cool...

Product Rundown

Child Safe

Pet Safe

Cordless

Discover the ultimate window treatment solution with Cordless Cellular Shades - insulation, child & pet safety, style, and customizable options all in one!

What are Cordless Cellular Shades? | Blindster Blog

What are Cordless Cellular Shades?

It’s worth noting that cordless blind still use cords, as each slat still needs to be set and maneuvered. But instead of pulling a dangling cord to move the blinds up and down, you’ll press a button. This SafeLock button – located at the bottom of each rail – releases the tension around each string within the blinds device, and moves it to the position you want. When you release the button, the tension resumes and the blinds are locked into that position.&nbsp;Other cordless products require even less effort – all you need to do is gently lift the bottom rail and move it to the height you want. Some work like pull-down projector screens, using spring tension.

What Are Cordless Blinds?

Many children and pets are injured if not killed each year by the dangerous cords that hang from old blinds. With cordless blinds and shades, the cord is literally removed from the equation.

Your eyes can enjoy the full beauty of cordless shades and blinds, without the ugly cord getting in the way. Their streamlined appearance is modern and sleek, and they’re available in a wide variety of styles and colors.

Aesthetics

With cordless blinds and shades, you won’t have to waste time untangling knots and fussing with stubborn cords. Simply raise and lower as needed. Overall, cordless window coverings are easy to use, but it’s worth noting that not every design works the same.&nbsp;Cordless blinds and shades are extra modern and stylish, and safe for both children and pets to be around. Check out our full selection of cordless shades and cordless blinds to find the best match for your home. You can even get some free samples to test hands-on.

Ease of Use

Many children and pets are injured if not killed each year by the dangerous cords that hang from old blinds. With cordless blinds and shades, the cord is literally removed from the equation.

Why Choose Cordless Blinds or Shades? | Blindster Blog

Why Choose Cordless Blinds or Shades?

<h4>Do I have curtains?</h4>If you have curtains, your window treatments will probably need to be more neutral (white, cream or brown) to highlight the pretty colors in your curtains. However, if you are just using shades without curtains, you can be as colorful as you want in choosing your window treatments.<h4>Do I have molding?</h4>If you have painted walls with different colored molding around the ceilings, floors, and windows, you will probably want to match your window treatment to the color of the molding. It will look classier and really nice. Don’t match it to the color of the walls. It will look tacky.&nbsp;To prove this, think of warm, rust-colored walls with black molding. A good color for the window treatment would be black. However, to make the window treatment rust-colored, as well, would have two broken spaces which are rust colored and a thin black line between them. That would look awful. Always match your window treatment to your molding, if there are no other considerations.

1. Do My Window Treatments Match My Walls?

If you have white molding, but dark blue walls and floors, you may want to match your window shades to the flooring. If you have white molding, dark blue walls and warm golden flooring, your window shades may simply look better if they are a warm golden color like the floor. It ties the room together without being overly complex or super detailed and ostentatious.&nbsp;If you have a simple cooking area and everything is the same color, your window shades may simply look better being the same color as your floor because it makes the overall room look more put together. Also, tying the color of your window shades to your floor can make the space of the room look bigger because it draws the eye up and around the room as a whole rather than being focused on the single-color theme and distinctive flooring.

2. Do My Window Treatments Match My Flooring?

Cabinets <a href="https://housetipster.com/housetips/9120/10-popular-cabinet-door-styles-for-your-kitchen">are important in your kitchen</a> when they are not just a neutral dark brown, black or white. Colored cabinets certainly make the room more interesting, but they also limit your color options when choosing your window coverings. This is another case where the secondary color of the room (like your molding mentioned above) should be the color of your window coverings. Cabinets with more than one color should have the window coverings match their secondary colors to bring them out more. Do not match your coverings to the main color of your cabinets if they are more than one color. That is simply too much of that color.For neutral cabinets like golden brown, tan, dark brown, black, and white, your window coverings can be just about any color, particularly if the rest of the room is a neutral color, such as walls, floors, etc.

3. Do My Window Coverings Complement My Cabinets?

The countertops around your stove and sink are also a source of matching ability. They are a bit tricky, though. Presumably, they match or work well with your cabinets and the two look great together. If they are the same color, then you may not want to match your window shutters to them. That can be too much of one color.&nbsp;However, if your countertops and your cabinets complement each other (for example, when your countertops are a gray and black marbled or graveled appearance and your cabinets are black), then you might want to emphasize either color with your window treatment. It all depends on the overall "look and feel" of your room. Even kitchens should not be too "busy" or too complex throughout the room.

4. Do My Window Treatments Complement My Countertops?

Lighting is also a factor when choosing your window shades. If you like the pure, clean feeling of pure sunlight, then white shades may be the best for you.&nbsp;If you like complete darkness when you block out the light, then <a href="/features/blackout-shades">blackout shades</a> may be the best option for you.&nbsp;Other types of light produce different results. For example, if you grew up in a warm, homey atmosphere but you feel that your apartment is too cold and dark, then a nice yellow shade may bring back memories of golden sunsets warming your childhood home in the evenings.&nbsp;Feng Shui may also come into play. If you need fire in your kitchen area (a notoriously water-based zone) then bright red shades may be the perfect "element" to add above your sink to bring back the "hearth and home" atmosphere to your cooking and eating. Your culture may also be part of the decision to choose reds and oranges.

5. What Types of Light Do I want Pouring into My Cooking/Eating Areas?

During the day, your window treatments may affect how you go about your cooking and food preparation. If you need to block out direct sunlight from heating up an already warm room, then make sure that the tint of the shade still allows enough light (and contrast) through so that you can continue reading your mother's old recipes or your father's old notes on barbecuing. Window shades are not effective if they cannot be used in all kinds of light. You need to still be able to keep the lights off in midday while having enough natural light coming in for reading and following instructions.&nbsp;A good way to test this out is to <a href="/free-samples">request samples</a> from your window treatment supplier. This is a wonderful way see the shades in all types of light, at all hours of the day and evening. See if you can still cook during the day while keeping your electrical costs low and browsing through your cookbook for recipe ideas.

6. Does the Lighting Affect My Ability to Read a Cookbook or Small Print?

Sometimes, a house or apartment simply has fewer than average windows. If you are in a central location in your building or your home was simply built for colder weather, you may not have a lot of natural light coming in from any room, not to even mention the room where you spend the greater portion of your day when you are at home. A thinner material or a more transparent material can still give you plenty of privacy while allowing light in during the daytime. More transparent material is also a great idea for colder climates when more warmth should be allowed in while also maintaining privacy from the neighbors.&nbsp;However, if you live in a warm climate and one side of your house consistently gets direct sunlight, then you may need something that blocks out more than the average amount of light. For that, you may need both pull-down shades and shutters to really keep things cool and shady inside your home.

7. Do I Need More Transparent Window Treatments for Greater Lighting?

Discovering whether your window shades are privacy–based or shade-based is a big consideration before purchasing new shades. Look outside your window. From your window, move around and look in all different directions, is there a direct line of sight from your window to someone else's window or to a public area such as a sidewalk or park across the street? You will need to familiarize yourself with the actual requirements of your situation.&nbsp;Sometimes, a window shade has nothing to do with privacy. Instead, it’s due to where the sun hits and the particular time of year. If you have lived in your house for at least a full year, you will have some idea of the types of direct and indirect sunlight you may get through that window. When looking for a new window shade you will want to be careful and be safe, but also be practical.&nbsp;Any window that receives direct sunlight for more than two months out of the year will need darker or more solid (such as wooden) shades or shutters to make sure that you can block out all light and keep that room reasonably cool during that time of year. This can even be a problem in winter time, which is a factor we will discuss next.

8. Are My Window Shades Privacy-Based or Shade-Based?

Winter affects homes in various ways. If your home is usually warm, then having extra direct sunlight pouring in through your kitchen windows can actually create much more heat than you want or could ever desire. This can be true, even in the winter.&nbsp;Another factor to consider is sealing your window during the colder months. Every window in your house should have a good, solid seal on it, with the curtains or blinds hanging down over the top of the sealed plastic. However, if you have something that is just one long shade (rather than shutters), then you may find that it is more difficult to keep pouring the single long shade up and down without disturbing the plastic sheeting underneath.&nbsp;Be careful and plan on the hardware mixing with the plastic sealed sheet when you are picking out your design. This is really only applicable if you live in a moderate or colder climate where winter is actually something to be planned for. In the meantime, in warmer climates, you can focus on making sure that you have shades which completely cover even the outside edges of your window so that you can retain both privacy and shade when and if you need them.&nbsp;In the grand scheme of things, window coverings may not seem as important as heating or cooling or good, solid, comfortable furniture. However, you will live with your window shades every day, year after year. All of your options should be considered and all of your choices laid out to look at.&nbsp;Before choosing a window treatment, think about the light and the direction of the sun in some of your favorite rooms growing up. Maybe even go back and visit your old apartment or your original homestead. These places can give you great ideas for how to dress up your window. &nbsp;Then visit us at <a href="/">Blindster.com</a> and start picking our your new kitchen window treatments!

9. Will Thicker Material Keep My Home Warmer in the Winter?

Kitchen

Windows by Room

Make your kitchen design complete with the perfect window treatments that match your walls, flooring, cabinets, and countertops, while considering your lighting preferences and privacy needs. Happy shopping for the ideal shades!

Creative Ideas for Kitchen Window Treatment | Blindster Blog

Creative Ideas for Kitchen Window Treatments

First, you should know to prioritize quality over quantity. It’s not worth buying window treatments if you aren’t going to be satisfied with the final result, or if you’re just going to replace them in a year or two. Instead, it’s better to make the smart investment now, prioritizing window treatment options you know will last indefinitely.

The Importance of Quality

Whole Home or Room by Room?

So far, we’ve only discussed qualitative considerations to keep in mind when setting a budget for window treatments. So what about the actual costs? What should you expect here?

Basic Costs

Budget Buys

Checklist

If you're thinking about buying new window treatments for your home, you might be concerned about how it fits into your home improvement budget. 

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