Types of Window Coverings
Types of Window Blinds and Shades
With so many different types of blinds and shades to choose from, we’ll help you decide with some in-depth information on each type below.
Faux Wood Horizontal Blinds
Faux wood blinds offer the same modern touch as wood blinds, but are resistant to moisture and warping, making them ideal for rooms with high humidity, such as kitchens or bathrooms. Faux wood blinds come in a variety of colours and stains to mimic the look of real wood at a lower price point. Similar to wood blinds, light dusting and periodic cleaning with wood preservatives is required to protect the finish.
Wood Horizontal Blinds
Wood blinds lend a rich, warming touch to any room, and complement other wood furnishings and tones in your home. Wood blinds are natural insulators against cold and heat, and help keep rooms more comfortable during the winter and summer. Light dusting and periodic cleaning with a wood preservative helps protect the finish and enhance luster.
Vertical Blinds
Vertical blinds are ideal for large windows and doors (such as patio doors), but can be used anywhere as an alternative to curtains or drapes. Vertical blinds have wide slats (up to 4" wide) that can be angled or closed to control light and privacy. Vertical blinds can open to stack at one side of a window opening or have a centre split to stack at each side. They are available in a variety of materials, including real wood, faux wood or plastic, to translucent fabrics that block less light. Vertical blinds made of fabric may also have weights sewn into the bottom of each blind to keep them straight and orderly.
Roller Shades / Roller Blinds
Roller shades, a classic traditional window treatment, come in a wide array of fabric and styles, from translucent fabrics, to opaque polyesters. Roller shades come with a variety of hem and trim options, and can simply be pulled by hand to adjust light and privacy levels. They are an economical window covering that complements any décor, and require minimal maintenance.
Cellular Shades / Honeycomb Shades
Cellular shades (also called honeycomb) are made of two or more layers of folded fabric that deliver strong protection against UV light, and superb insulation against heat and cold. Cellular shades have a clean appearance and are available in multiple opacity levels for different privacy options. Shades are made of a strong anti-static fabric that repels dust and dirt, but they may still require light feather dusting or gentle wiping with a damp cloth.
Zebra Blinds
Zebra shades, or zebra blinds, are a modern option for any home that allow complete lighting customization. They can be drawn to offer complete light blockage or opened in a way that lets light shine through the “zebra” stripes, allowing light to enter your room. They’re a great alternative to transitional blinds.
Paper Temporary Shades
If you’re looking for a temporary solution, consider paper shades. They’re peel-and-stick and can be installed over any 36” window or door. They’re also 100% recyclable, so you can lower your eco footprint while filtering the light in your home.
Panel-Track Blinds
Panel-track blinds are the ultimate in style and function. They add beauty, create privacy and filter light coming into your home. The panels can slide to completely block light or open to allow some in, giving you complete control. They can be used on normal doors and windows, French doors and even closets.
Outdoor Shades
Block heat and glare outdoors and increase your privacy with a crank shade like one from Coolaroo. They mount easily on ceilings and walls and can even help you reduce your cooling costs by repelling heat when used outside of windows. They’re easy to clean with a quick wash off from a hose and resist mould, mildew and staining.
Cordless or Motorized Blinds and Shades?
The Home Depot offers plenty of cordless and motorized options that are a safe choice for homes with children and pets.
Consider whether motorized blinds, shades and shutters, adjustable via remote control, are more to your liking than manual options. Or, if you’re looking to integrate your blinds into your smart-home setup, consider new “smart” blinds that can be controlled, even programmed, from your smartphone!
Book a free consultation with a Home Depot Installer and find out more about some of the exciting new options available for your home. Blinds can be custom ordered online, in-store or through your Home Services consultation.
Blinds & Shades Features to Consider
Comfort & Light Filtration
Light-control blinds are a stylish and functional solution that let you customize the amount of light you allow through, giving you improved energy efficiency and protection from UV rays. These include zebra blinds, solar shades, cellular blinds and more.
Best Suited For:
- East and west facing windows that get direct sunlight.
- Bedroom windows
- Offices where privacy is a concern.
- TV or computer rooms that can be affected by glare.
Privacy Control & Room Darkening
For complete privacy and added style, blackout cellular shades, roller shades or shutters can be installed. Vertical or horizontal blinds can be tilted for greater customization.
Best Suited For:
- Large bedroom windows
- Floor-to-ceiling windows
- Bay windows facing street traffic.
- Bathroom casement windows
Energy Savings
Reduce energy costs and optimize the amount of solar heat entering your home with cellular shades or vertical slats to filter out harmful UV rays and improve your thermal comfort in winter or summer.
Best Suited For:
- Bedrooms with large windows facing a balcony.
- Floor-to-ceiling windows
- Large casement windows
UV Protection
Solar, cellular or zebra shades reduce the amount of UV rays that enter your home, which can help prevent fading of furniture and fabrics.
Best Suited For:
- Large windows or patio doors.
- Skylights
- Rooms with delicate artwork or fabrics.
Motorized Blinds & Shades
Motorized blinds offer a convenient way to reduce light entering your home. Simply push a button and you can effortlessly open, close, raise or lower them to customize your lighting experience.
Best Suited For:
- Hard-to-reach windows
- High windows
- Home theaters
Cleaning & Maintenance
Premium faux wood blinds, vinyl blinds (PVC), and anti-static polyester fabric blinds or shades require minimal maintenance.
Best Suited For:
- Convenience
- Ease of maintenance
- Durability
Choose the Right Type of Blinds or Shades
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| Privacy |
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| Energy Savings |
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| UV Protection |
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| Larger Applications |
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| Motorized |
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| Light Control |
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| Privacy |
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| UV Protection |
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| Larger Applications |
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| Motorized |
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| Cleaning & Maintenance | ✔ |
| Light Control |
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| Privacy |
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| Energy Savings |
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| UV Protection |
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| Larger Applications |
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| Motorized |
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| Light Control |
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| Energy Savings |
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| UV Protection |
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| Larger Applications |
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| Motorized |
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| Cleaning & Maintenance |
| Light Control |
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| Privacy |
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| Energy Savings |
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| UV Protection |
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| Larger Applications |
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| Motorized |
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| Cleaning & Maintenance |
| Light Control |
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| Privacy |
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| Energy Savings |
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| UV Protection |
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| Motorized |
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| Cleaning & Maintenance |
| Light Control |
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| Privacy |
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| Energy Savings |
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| UV Protection |
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| Light Control |
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| Energy Savings |
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Roller
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Faux Wood Blinds
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Vinyl
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Cellular Shades |
Zebra
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Paper Temporary Shades |
Outdoor Shades |
Panel-Track Shades |
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| Cleaning & Maintenance | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Types & Features of Window Film
Window film is a great way to keep your rooms glare-free, cool and comfortable. They go right over your window for easy installation.
Privacy Window Film
Keep your home private from anyone outside with a privacy window film.
Decorative Window Film
Add style and design to your room with a trendy decorative window film.
| Features | Description |
|---|---|
| UV Blocking Window Film |
Protect your furniture from fading with a UV blocking window film. |
| Heat Blocking Window Film |
Keep your home cooler with a heat-blocking window film. |
| Glare Reducing Window Film | Reduce the glare from the sun on windows and doors with a glare reducing window film. |
Popular Types of Curtains & Drapes
No matter which room in your home you’re trying to shade, we offer curtains and drapes in many styles and sizes, so you’ll always have what you’re looking for in both style and comfort.
Ways to Shop
Choosing Style & Colours of your Window Covering
This should be among your first considerations for any blinds, shades or shutters you pick. Think not only about whether you like the style of your blinds, shades or shutters, but also whether they’re a good fit aesthetically for the surrounding room. Colours should complement each other and the design style (rustic, modern, classic, etc.) should match up with the décor in the rest of the room. They should also match, in fit, shape, and style, the windows they’ve been made to cover. Custom blinds, shades and shutters are often the best way to meet these needs, since they’re tailor-made for your unique windows.
If you want to brighten up the room, light, neutral colours are the way to go. For setting sharper colour contrasts or to darken the room, choose darker shades. Either way, whatever you choose, it will of course need to match the rest of the room – the walls, décor, and furniture, as well as the windows themselves. Depending on the extent of your redecorating project, you may consider matching a new paint job to your new blinds, shades and shutters, or even an accent wall to match a similarly-hued set of blinds.
If you’re unsure of which colour or style you’d like, you can always order samples, free of charge and see how they look in your space.
