Author Topic: Blinds?  (Read 5601 times)

dbanta

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Blinds?
« on: July 28, 2014, 01:20:30 PM »
There are several windows in my house that don't have any window coverings.  I would like to get some blinds for 2 main reasons
  • Privacy (just had a baby)
  • Insulation - both summer hot sun and cold winter air.  I have several South facing windows that cause the rooms to really heat up in the summer from the sun. 

Does anyone have any suggestions or done price comparisons between Home Depot / Budget Blinds / Hunter Douglas, etc?  I am not crafty to make curtains and would prefer blinds because they are easier to use.  A lot of the curtains I have are hard to open and close because the silly curtain rod is always almost coming apart or sliding back and forth with the curtains.

I am open to other suggestions that I might not be thinking of.

Cwadda

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Re: Blinds?
« Reply #1 on: July 28, 2014, 01:31:57 PM »
Regular blinds will be inexpensive no matter how you cut it. Don't think the price comparisons would be significant enough to worry about it.

La Bibliotecaria Feroz

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Re: Blinds?
« Reply #2 on: July 28, 2014, 03:54:38 PM »
Regular blinds will be inexpensive no matter how you cut it. Don't think the price comparisons would be significant enough to worry about it.

She said she just had a baby, though! So I would say, DON'T GET regular blinds--they are death traps. Not only is PVS pretty damn toxic, but kids really do strangle in the cords. I wouldn't necessarily say to take down all the existing blinds if they were regular mini blinds, but if I was going to put up something new, I would do a cordless roller shade or something like that.

But I've never bought them, so can't compare.

Cwadda

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Re: Blinds?
« Reply #3 on: July 29, 2014, 04:51:08 AM »
Regular blinds will be inexpensive no matter how you cut it. Don't think the price comparisons would be significant enough to worry about it.

She said she just had a baby, though! So I would say, DON'T GET regular blinds--they are death traps. Not only is PVS pretty damn toxic, but kids really do strangle in the cords. I wouldn't necessarily say to take down all the existing blinds if they were regular mini blinds, but if I was going to put up something new, I would do a cordless roller shade or something like that.

But I've never bought them, so can't compare.

Oh, yes! That is a very scary thought, but it DOES happen. Definitely go with the cordless ones.

lakemom

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Re: Blinds?
« Reply #4 on: July 29, 2014, 05:02:56 AM »
Unless you have really oddly shaped or huge windows, in your situation the best solution would be cordless cellular shades (either room darkening...more expensive...or regular).  Either blinds.com or your local home center will have them and you are not getting anything better with a "brand name" blind that you are not getting from either of the others.  The cellular shades will give you much more of an insulation factor than a slat blind (mini blind) and the cordless feature is a really nice feature when you have small kids around and makes for a nicer looking blind.  They are more expensive than the corded ones but imo worth the extra cost. 

Melf

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Re: Blinds?
« Reply #5 on: July 29, 2014, 07:27:15 AM »
Another thing to consider doing is adding window tint in the rooms facing the sun that tend to heat up too much.  I've had to do this in a couple of rooms in addition to blinds and curtains and it does seem to help.  You can get the Peel & Cling variety of window film from Home Depot/Lowes/etc.  The Peel & Cling is much easier to install than a traditional window tint and easy to remove if needed.  It is sometimes a little pricey but it does help cut down on the heat in my opinion.

deborah

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Re: Blinds?
« Reply #6 on: July 29, 2014, 11:48:24 AM »
I would put blinds on the outside of the windows. Once sun has hit the window glass, you already have a lot of heating. Curtains or blinds that seal all edges (including the top - which is why pelmets are good) stop the air exchange between the window/blind area and the rest of the room. Cellular blinds are much better insulated than others - but make sure they are sealed. Many shops offer an inexpensive custom made service, which is probably a good idea to get the right fit.

Jack

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Re: Blinds?
« Reply #7 on: July 29, 2014, 01:52:21 PM »
Plain white plastic mini-blinds: $4/window (if your windows are a standard size) at Home Depot or Lowe's.

I got them for cheap privacy when I first moved into my house, and can't be bothered to spend $$$ to replace them with something fancier. (I did replace a couple that the cat broke like-for-like.)

chouchouu

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Re: Blinds?
« Reply #8 on: July 29, 2014, 08:23:52 PM »
I find blinds aren't as effective as curtains. They're much thinner, fit inside the window frame and are draughty. Curtains can be hung outside the frame so have better coverage, with extra backing you can increase insulation and a pelmet can trap the cold. You can replace with a lighter curtain depending on season.

 

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