Window coverings must complement your interior decor and create an effective barrier against heat and light. They must contribute to protecting interior items from fading by sunlight exposure. But when it comes to treating windows, curtains, and blinds always come to mind. That’s because of their popularity as the top window coverings to complement all decor setups.
Most of the homeowners don’t know which is the right one for their windows as each one has its sets of advantages and limitations. However, you don’t need to worry because Lush Loom is going to help you in choosing the right window covering among curtains vs. blinds. We’ll have a blinds vs. curtains debate that will enable you to pick the perfect option for your window.
Blinds vs. Curtains: Expert Comparison [Updated]
We refined several factors and collected the most important ones that can truly help us find the right window covering. Let’s compare curtains and blinds in terms of these factors in detail.
Light Controlling
Blinds come with vertical and horizontal slats, which you can strategically position in multiple directions. You can allow the calculated amount of light to come inside or block all light rays for complete darkness. Their dense and hard surface reflects light and disallows it to pass through.
In contrast, curtains block light with pile height densities of their fabrics that have narrow weave structures and are tightly woven. There are lightweight to thick fabrics for curtains with specific features.
For example, blackout curtains, with their thick weave structure used to block light, while sheer or translucent ones diffuse it.
| Blinds | Give you complete control over light with slats |
| Curtains | Block or diffuse light rays coming into your space |
Curb Appeal
When it comes to this factor, both blinds and curtains offer exceptional aesthetics. Blinds add a touch of sophistication with their smooth and clean surfaces. You can prioritize them as your office window coverings rather than curtains. But you’re not limited to this – it’s purely your decision. You can get matte, embossed, high-gloss, and semigloss finishes for them.
In contrast, curtains are designed to complement all decor styles and themes with their extensive customization features. You can get them in dozens of materials, floral to geometric prints, earthy warm to cool neutral colors, and versatile lengths.
| Blinds | Less customization options but still simple and sleek |
| Curtains | Effectively boost aesthetic appeal with extensive customization |
Ease Of Cleaning
Blinds are inherently less prone to dirt and dust accumulation, so they are easy to clean. Though you can get them on rough or textured surfaces, they are mostly plain and smooth. They are also coated with certain materials to contribute easy cleaning with only a piece of cloth.
In contrast, curtains trap dust and stain particles in their dense fibers. We observe that spills can easily accumulate on them. They also get dirty with floor surface dirt if they are lengthy. You need to go for professional vacuuming for them and care more.
| Blinds | Easy to clean and maintain |
| Curtains | Tough to clean and maintain |
Insulation Properties
The insulation properties of both of these window coverings have a direct relationship with material choice. Whether it’s blinds or curtains, choosing a durable material is quite important to create a barrier against light and heat.
Blinds can be obtained in thick materials to reflect UV light and prevent heat buildup. For better thermal efficiency, you can get the blinds in honeycomb cellular structures and the right slat sizes.
Similarly, you have thick-to-thin material options for curtains. In our opinion, heavyweight fabrics are considered more effective in blocking heat, light, and air than translucent curtains. This is because sheer curtains only diffuse light and somehow allow heat to pass through.
| Blinds | Effective insulation with wide slats and their orientation |
| Curtains | Thick curtains offer better insulation than lightweight ones |
Sound Dampening
Blinds have hard surfaces that contribute to sound waves’ reflection. They introduce acoustic materials such as foam linings, aluminum, and blackout fabric backings for added sound-dampening features. Blinds in unique cellular structures absorb sound into their small, honeycomb-like structures.
However, curtains directly introduce tightly woven fabrics that have narrow weave structures and small air pockets to trap high-frequency sound waves. Curtains can be layered for effective moisture production in comparison to blinds.
| Blinds | Dampen noise with adjustable slats and hard surface |
| Curtains | Filter sounds with their thick weave structure & air pockets |
Longevity
When it comes to durability, blinds are considered the best window coverings because of their hard material manufacturing. In fact, it helps them bear wear and tear, such as prolonged UV-light exposure to prevent discoloration. You can coat blinds for moisture, stains, and spill resistance.
In the case of curtains, you need to care for them to enjoy maximum durability. This is because they are prone to dirt and debris, daily wear & gradual degradation. You must follow expert cleaning methods and avoid using toxic detergents and harsh washing.
| Blinds | More durable in comparison to blinds with their hard surface |
| Curtains | Less likely to offer longevity because susceptible to damage |
Installation Complexity
In terms of fixing complexity, blinds win. That’s because you don’t need to install numerous hardware accessories such as tracks, holdbacks, endcaps, etc. You save money, time, and effort fixing blinds. You only need to describe your preferences to experts, and that’s it. They’ll mount blinds to your windows within no time.
In contrast, you need to deal with certain challenges during curtain installation. You have to get a list of hardware accessories carefully, considering the weight of your drapes, window size, and more. You have to pay labor costs, put in effort, and be available throughout the procedure.
| Blinds | Simple and easy to install |
| Curtains | Tough and complex to install |
Pricing Structure
The price of both these window coverings varies and depends upon various factors. Your customized requirements regarding the material selection, colors, textures, prints, window size, and styles decide the final price. You have luxury and budget-friendly options for both blinds and curtains; however, choosing the right one is purely your choice.
Pay attention – The pricing difference is observed when you go for fixing. You cost more expensive in curtains installation, and reasonable for blinds.
| Blinds | Pricing varies, but lower installation costs |
| Curtains | Pricing varies, but higher installation costs |
Final Thoughts
That was all about blinds vs. curtains above. We compared them on different parameters and found that blinds are easy to maintain, cost-effective to install, and more durable. However, you have to take extensive care of curtains for maximum longevity. With blackout curtains, you can block light, while blinds can help you control it with adjustable slats.
They both offer effective insulation against sound, heat, and light depending upon the right materials and structures. Beyond functionality, curtains help you enhance aesthetics because of the hundreds of customization options. However, blinds do not offer various customizations but still promote a contemporary and sleek appearance.
