Top Selling Window Blinds and Shades

If you think of your window as a blank canvas, then window treatments are the paint you apply to make that space beautiful. I was in this situation recently and frankly I was a little blown away by the number of choices available to consumers these days. I can see why people hire interior decorators. I was so nervous that I would choose the wrong blinds or shades - that they would look terrible or maybe even worse, there was a better choice that I was ignorant of.

I believe that there is wisdom in the aggregate; this holds true for selecting window blinds. So, I have compiled a list of our top selling window blinds and shades so help narrow down the list of possible options. I hope that this brings comfort to those who read this and maybe saves them some time and reduces stress.

The following are the most common choices of window treatments. I believe they are the most common for two primary reasons: they look good, and are reasonably affordable. In the end, I believe that is what most people want to know. Will the blinds or shades I am going to purchase look good and not break the bank when I am done?

One of the most popular window treatment choices are aluminum and vinyl mini blinds, also called horizontal blinds. Mini blinds are an easy, default choice. You are not going to necessarily win any design awards but they will usually do the trick. Aluminum blinds are best for longevity but if you are on a really tight budget, the vinyl variety will do. Mini blinds come in different slat sizes from micro (1/2 inch) to 1 inch (most common), 1 3/8 inch, and 2 inch. The larger the slat size the more view-through the blinds provide when the slat are open. This is true for all blinds with slats.

Next up are wood blinds and faux wood blinds. Both types are solid choices for almost any décor. Wood blinds are usually made from basswood or other hardwoods and come in several different stained finishes. Faux wood blinds are either vinyl or a wood composite. Faux wood blinds are a better choice for hot and humid locations and rooms as they are more durable and will not warp or crack. Just like mini blinds, wood and faux wood offer different slat sizes.

Cellular shades are another popular option. They look good and offer great energy efficiency because of their design. Cellular shades come in different pleat sizes, the most common choice being the 3/8 and ¾ inch variety. Cell shades also come in single, double and triple cell, depending on how much insulation you need or want. The most common choice is the single cell.

Vertical blinds are far and away the top choice for large windows and sliding glass doors. Vertical blinds come in vinyl, aluminum, fabric, faux wood and even cellular. The vinyl variety is the most affordable and the most common. They will look good but, again, not win you any design awards. If you are looking for a different option for large window consider panel tracks.

Last up are roller shades. Roller shades, fortunately, have come a long ways from those cheap vinyl ones. Roller shades come in a great variety of fabrics, materials and colors that can look surprisingly attractive and upscale. Roller shades are also a great choice if you want a room-darkening or blackout option, like in bedrooms.

There are many other options to consider, for examples roman shades, solar shades, pleated shades and then there are drapes. I am not going to go into those. I wanted to simplify not confuse.