The way you dress your windows can completely transform a space. At Window Fashions of Texas we believe window treatments are the key to a well-appointed home. To make your house feel more like a home, adding color, texture and dimension at the window can make all the difference. If you’re ready to improve the look, as well as the function of your space, you’ve come to the right place. Our designers can help design a look custom to you and your home. Let’s get started.
Soft Treatments & Hard Treatments
There are many ways to dress a window, the two basic categories of window coverings are soft and hard treatments. First, let’s concentrate on their definitions, and then we can talk about options. Soft treatments are well-known to homeowners and offered in many styles, from shades to drapes. They are crafted using soft materials and fabrics to “outfit” your windows. On the other hand, hard treatments are created with structured materials, such as wood, metal, vinyl and composites. If you think of soft treatments as the outfit of the window, hard treatments are the furniture. The components of hard treatments can be manipulated to change the lighting and privacy, but they are stable in place, like shutters and blinds.
If you want to see how soft treatments, like these beautiful woven woods above, can improve the look of your home, deep dive into this article, 9 types of window treatments. But first, let’s talk about the many soft treatment options:
Fabrics
Soft treatments include a number of fabric choices:
- Sheer Fabrics: Available for both horizontal and vertical shades, sheers allow you to see through them, while diffusing the light entering your home.
- Patterns, Prints and Solids: Fabrics are used to cover the window, while blocking the light and coordinating with the design of your home.
- Woven Fabrics: These materials can be cloth, wood, bamboo and other natural fibers that are woven together. The varying weaves and color-ways create dimension and style, especially as the light interacts with the woven patterns.
Pro Tip: Use these descriptions to narrow your selections so you’re only looking at collections that fit your preference.
Fabric Opacity
It’s important to understand opacity. The opacity is how much light can come through the fabric VS how much light is blocked, AKA light filtering and room darkening. Or, we offer a range of opacities, using a number system, with 0% being a sheer view-through and 100% which results in light blocking.
Operating Features & Function
Another choice to make is the way your soft treatments will operate. Do you prefer them to roll or stack? Would you like to have the fabrics lined, unlined or utilize a dual shades system of operation? Do you want to create an insulating barrier at the window? There are so many options for window covering solutions as you investigate the best choices for your home.
Hard Treatments Options
The Materials
When it comes to hard treatments, it’s important to consider the finished look, durability and longevity of the product. We offer real wood shutters and blinds, metal blinds and composite materials for blinds that are crafted with both natural and man-made elements for strength and durability. Our professionals will recommend the best choice for you. Be sure to inquire about the warranties and guarantees against warping, yellowing and cracking that can happen if a finish does not contain the right ingredients to withstand the elements.
Material Sizing & Function
Shutters have louvers, while window blinds have slats. These are the moving parts that can adjust the light and privacy. These elements adjust to reveal your view in the open position, closing to block the light. Both louvers and slats can direct light into the home, away from the eyes while also protecting interior privacy.
Operating Features
Operation is simple with hard treatments too. With manual control, blind slats can be adjusted with a wand that hangs along the front of the blinds, while raising them up and down can be done with your hand. Automatic blinds control the tilt of the slats. Shutter louvers should be manually adjusted by hand. Some shutters feature a tilt bar, but by adjusting the louvers themselves, it keeps the integrity of the shutter design protected against harsh use.
Add Some Layers
The possibilities are endless. By layering window shades, blinds or shutters with custom drapes you’ll achieve the look you’re going for. The drapery frames the window while coordinating with the base layer of window treatments. The entire look creates a beautiful scene at the window while proving privacy and protection from the elements. If you can’t decide between soft and hard treamtments, this could be way of incorporating both. Not sure where to start? Find inspiration in our recent blog about Pairing Shades with Drapery.
Let’s Mix & Match
Pairing window treatments can be a beautiful way to complete your space. Invite our professionals to support you in the process of creating your custom design. We will evaluate your space, decor style and functional needs to design the perfect pairing for each room. Leave the mixing and matching to us, we can coordinate a custom look for your home. Satisfaction is our goal and we will work with you from the discovery stage to installation day. If you’re ready for the best experience in ways to dress a window, get in touch with us for a FREE consultation.
