Whether you’ve recently purchased a new home with bare windows or are looking to upgrade your existing décor, if you’re in the market for new window treatments, then these days, you have plenty of eye-catching options from which to choose. The right window treatments can really work wonders for the various rooms of your home, but certain selections can definitely end up costing you significantly more than others. For this reason, it’s important to get a good sense of how much each type of window treatment costs before falling in love with some options that might be financially out of reach.
As the owner of Blind Tailors, Inc., a blinds and closet design company that has been serving Charlotte, North Carolina since 2004, Craig Rogers understands that not everybody has a wide open budget for window treatment purchases. He therefore offers the following guide as to how some of the more popular options rank on the financial scale, from the most expensive to the most cost-effective:
Silhouette shades and plantation shutters
There’s a reason why silhouette shades and plantation shutters are tied for first place as far as window treatment price tags are concerned. Since both are eye-catching and appealing, it’s no wonder that the cost of either option is usually enough to send the average homeowner into sticker stock. Silhouette shades and plantation shutters are both effective at keeping light out while allowing just the right amount in; and although these two choices are certainly desirable among homeowners on a whole, they are less commonly found in modest income areas.
Roman shades
Roman shades have been growing in popularity due to their versatility in style and design. For many, nothing is more appealing than the look of evenly-lifted or lowered Roman shades. However, from a cost perspective, they are generally the priciest option in the “shades” category.
Woven woods
Woven wood shades are another attractive option for homeowners looking to have their window treatments stand out. Since woven woods are natural, hand-woven products, their cost is reflective of the fact that they aren’t as mass-produced as most other types of window treatments. And while they certainly aren’t the most expensive shade option out there, they are also far from cheap.
Cellular or honeycomb shades
Perhaps the most cost-effective type of shade, cellular or honeycomb shades offer a winning combination of visual appeal and energy efficiency. Although they do not allow for a great degree of light control, they are a smart window treatment option for those whose home improvement budgets are limited.
Wood blinds
For many people, nothing beats the look and appeal of natural wood. While wooden blinds can most certainly be striking, they are also the most expensive type of slatted blind on the market. On the other hand, in the grand scheme of window treatments, they tend to fall towards the bottom of the list as far as prices go – a fact that has made many homeowners extremely happy in recent years.
Faux wood blinds
A nice-looking alternative to actual wood, faux wood blinds are a great option for homeowners looking to save money on slatted blinds. Since faux wood does an excellent job at mimicking the appearance of natural wood, it often makes sense for people to opt for this lower-maintenance, lower-cost option than splurge for the real thing.
Mini blinds
Of all the window treatment possibilities out there, mini blinds are definitely the least costly. However, there’s a reason for this. Mini blinds are, for the most part, outdated, and the majority of mini blinds on the market are constructed in a manner that is flimsy and cheap. Those who are truly limited in what they can spend will often choose to purchase mini blinds with the intention of upgrading their window treatments at a later point in time.
There’s no question that window treatments can be costly. So if you’re having trouble coming up with the money to pay for your premium selections, then you might want to take a step back and instead decide to tackle one room in your house at a time. Remember, there’s no rule stating that you must deal with all of your windows at once, and with the advent of temporary shades that cost about $5 apiece, there’s less pressure than ever to get your windows covered accordingly. So go ahead; price out your options for window treatments, and take your time when making your selections. After all, the best way to save money on window treatments is to choose the right ones from the start.
