window coverings

Three Questions to Ask When Buying Solar Shades

/ Alicia Chan
Traditional Solar Shades in Dark Iron 10%

The six extra weeks of winter are almost over, and we cannot wait for warmer weather. (That’s saying a lot given SelectBlinds is based in Arizona.) As you’re getting ready for more sun, consider incorporating solar shades into your home.

Solar shades operate like roller shades; however, the material is often less dense than rollers. This means solars can be fully lowered and still provide an outside view (more on that later). Other features include:

  • UV Protection: Solar shades reflect light and can block up to 95% of harmful UV rays. They keep furniture from being damaged while also reducing the glare on screens.
  • Energy Efficient: In the hot weather months, interior solar shades can reduce incoming heat by 30 to 70 percent, which will help decrease energy costs.
  • Kid Friendly: All our shades are available with a Cordless Lift, which is the safest style for homes with young children. Some solar shades have an option to upgrade to Motorization.

To match the right shade to your lifestyle, ask yourself the following questions:

1. Where is the placement of the shade?

Lifestyle Motorized Solar in Pearl 3%

A basic but important question. Are these shades going inside or outside? That will determine if you need interior or exterior solar shades.

Both are made of durable PVC materials, but exterior solar shades are generally constructed from weather-proof materials. Interior shades are moisture and mold-resistant, so they can be in rooms regardless of humidity.

2. What level of openness do you want?

Left: Classic Exterior Sheer Weave Solars in Black 3%; Right: Classic Exterior Sheer Weave Solars in Black 14%

Openness refers to the tightness of the fabric weave, which is an indication of the percentage of light that can penetrate through. Our blinds range from 1% to 14%.

A low number, or low openness percentage, means the fabric is tightly woven. The low percentages (i.e. 1-5%) block out more UV rays and offer more privacy. With a low openness, the outward visibility through the shade is limited.

A high openness percentage (i.e. 14%) has a looser fabric weave, which means there’s more visibility and still a decent glare reduction.

Tip: Lighter colors for interior or exterior solar shades can block more glare, and darker colors improve your visibility to the outside.

3. Should you add a layer?

Designer Series Fashion Solar Screen in Balboa 4%

Remember, solar shades reflect light. During the day, it blocks a view into your home from the outside while allowing you to see from the inside out.

The effect is reversed during the evening. The solar shades reflect the lights in your home, which blocks your outward view and allows visibility from outside the home.

So, should you add a layer for privacy? It’s really up to you!

If the solar shade faces your backyard, privacy may not be a big concern. If your solar shade faces a street and you want privacy, consider layering curtains so that you can close them at night and block visibility from the outside.

Now that you know the basics, get ready for the first day of spring and order free Solar Shade samples! Call or chat with one of our Design Consultants to learn which solar shade is best for your home. Call (888) 257-1840. They’re easy to talk to!

Which Blind Best Suits You Based on Your Current TV Binge

/ Alicia Chan
Photo credit: Mollie Sivaram on Unsplash

If you’re like us, you used the holiday season to catch up or start some new shows. Based on your current TV obsession, these are the window coverings best suited for you (at least until the next trending series).

*No spoilers ahead!*

Emily in Paris

Left: Netflix Credits; Right: Sheer Curtains in Sheer White Batiste

Love her or hate her, people love to watch Emily in Paris. While there are a number of styles in the show, we’re keeping Mindy Chen’s advice in mind: “The French are romantics, but they’re also realists.” With that in mind, we chose a timeless look with Sheer Curtains in Sheer White Batiste. Its flowy linen creates a picturesque room to daydream away in.

Ted Lasso

Left: AppleTV+ Credits; Right: Rustic Americana Roman Shades

There are so many personalities here, it could be a whole ‘nother blog of fun (note: Roy Kent would be a dark heather charcoal, NOT black). But let’s stick with the man of the hour, the name of the game, shall we? Ted Lasso. Rustic Americana Roman Shades in Sweet Cream Butter checks the main boxes: cheerful and American! It’s a bonus that his office “Believe” sign is yellow too.

Wednesday

Left: Netflix Credits; Right: Premier Room Darkening Dual Shades.

In our latest Halloween blog, we shared what window covering Wednesday would choose, but that was based on the 1991 version when she was a child. In this show, Wednesday is a teenager so her woeful style has a more modern take. The Premier Room Darkening Dual Shades in Tarantula gets the job done.

The Recruit

Left: Netflix Credits; Right: 2 1/2″ Luxe Modern Faux Wood Blinds in Walnut Grain

Hopefully you’re home a lot more than CIA lawyer Owen Hendricks to appreciate your window coverings. We chose 2 1/2″ Luxe Modern Faux Wood Blinds in Walnut Grain because they’re serious, but not too serious, while being practical and stylish. Their larger slats provide more privacy, and slats are the best window treatment to subtly check who’s outside.

Loot

Left: AppleTV+ Credits; Right: Jewel Tone Drapery in Tourmaline

The color palette in Loot is just as bright and radiant as Molly Novack herself. While we had a lot to choose from – and green seemed obvious –  we’re going with Molly’s eye-catching fuschia attire and pairing it with Jewel Tone Drapery in Tourmaline. Gorgeous and elegant, the drapery’s smooth satin will make you feel like you just received an $87 billion settlement.

*This blog is not endorsed or sponsored by any of the mentioned streaming services or shows.*

What Are The Most Popular Types of Window Treatments? Part 1 (Blinds & Shutters)

/ Jonathan Crowell

Whether you prefer a traditional window style, or something more modern, we at SelectBlinds have the perfect custom solution for you. We offer you more than 170 different customizable products, in over 1800 colors, with countless feature combinations, upgrades, and add-ons available. Did we already say that we can make any budget happy? 

What are the most popular types of window treatments? You might not want window coverings that are merely functional. You might want something stylish, as well. It should come as good news that you can enjoy window treatments that are stylish and also that function smoothly, the way they’re supposed to! So, what would work best in your home? In the second installment of this article, we’ll go into more detail regarding window shades and curtains. For now, let’s discuss some of the most popular types of window treatments, blinds in particular, and how they function.

What Is the Difference Between Blinds and Shades?

First, though the two terms are often used interchangeably, let’s distinguish blinds from shades.

Basically, blinds are hanging window treatments, that can have either horizontal or vertical slats that can be tilted open or closed, usually with some sort of mechanism. Different kinds of blinds are made with a wide variety of materials, including wood, faux wood, aluminum, and PVC. Shades, on the other hand, also hang down from the top of a window to the bottom, but they feature a solid, continuous surface that covers the window, and which can be raised or lowered to open up the view outward or to cover up for privacy. Shades can be made from fabrics, bamboo/woven woods, lightweight cellular material, or sheer fabrics, to name a few.

What Types of Blinds Are In Style?

Let’s talk about blinds first. Here are some examples of popular styles of blinds, ranging from traditional to less traditional.

  • Wood Blinds – Solid, natural-looking wood blinds can add real value and style to your home. They are custom quality-crafted to be long-lasting and to add texture, depth, and dimension to your windows and interiors.
  • Faux Wood Blinds – Custom faux wood blinds are more budget-friendly, yet still, high-quality window treatments that don’t look like fake wood! Try faux woods out and get that real-wood look without stressing out your budget! Note that faux wood and aluminum blinds work exceptionally well in damp environments, like kitchens and bathrooms, where they won’t get warped or get moldy. If you decide to install wood blinds or fabric shades in your kitchen (i.e., over your kitchen sink) or bathroom, know that you might need to replace them sooner.
  • Aluminum Mini Blinds – If you’re looking for solid, durable, all-purpose custom window treatment, that also looks great, you should give aluminum mini blinds a chance. Mini aluminum blinds feature slats that measure about half the width of the slats of regular size blinds. They are not only budget-friendly, but they also add a modern, crisp, clean touch to your space. Note that aluminum and faux wood blinds work exceptionally well in damp environments, like kitchens and bathrooms, where they won’t get warped or get moldy. If you decide to install wood blinds or fabric shades in your kitchen (i.e., over your kitchen sink) or bathroom, know that you might need to replace them sooner.
  • Shutters – Louvered shutters, a traditional framed blind with an exposed vertical tilt bar in the middle of the panel for opening and closing, are the peak of posh for window treatments. Easily hang them yourself to transform your house with the unsurpassed style and quality found only in this coveted take on slat blinds. Either in wood or faux wood, they are an excellent investment in your home’s resale value!
  • Vertical Blinds – A trendy twist on these classic coverings for sliding glass and patio doors provides an excellent solution for covering wide doors and windows. Our versatile vertical blinds come in updated colors, fabrics, and textures to complement your interior design anywhere in your home.
  • Panel Track Blinds – Get your window design right on track with trendsetting, smooth custom sliding panel track blinds. Just choose the number of wide vertical panels you prefer to make a stunning statement for covering sliding glass doors, as well as for large windows.
  • Fabric Blinds – A much softer version to the eyes and to the touch of the classic blinds made of solid materials? Soften up any room with the flexible fabric slats (or solid slats wrapped in fabric) of these fresh-looking, custom fabric blinds for your windows.

How Often Do You Need to Replace Your Window Treatments?

Quality blinds, shades, shutters, curtains, or any other types of window treatments can last you for many years (particularly when installed correctly and maintained regularly). There really is no rule of thumb regarding how often you should replace them. Basically, replace them according to your personal preference, as trends and fashions change and evolve.

Just be sure to follow manufacturer directions when using blinds or shades, in order to preserve them as long as possible. Dust and/or wipe them down on a regular basis. Thoroughly clean your window treatments at least twice annually in order to reduce heavy dust accumulation. Curtains tend to be somewhat easier to maintain, as they can be removed for laundering, dry cleaning, or steaming as you need to. 

Select Blinds Staff Recommendations for Your Space

If you’re looking for some recommendations for your home, be sure to keep on reading. We’ve made selections from each of our product tiers for you, to offer viable design solutions for any budget. How about spending some time window shopping to see what custom solutions we’ve got for you?

2” Classic Cordless Wood Blinds (Essential Tier)*

Few things say “classic sophistication” quite like natural wood blinds in your windows. They’ll look amazing from indoors and out, for years. 

Classic Fabric Vertical Blinds (Essential Tier)*

Cover your large windows and patio doors with the subtle textures and soft color palette of these soothing fabric verticals. Amazing for almost any space! 

*Our Essential Tier products include simple designs in familiar styles. Made of materials known for strength, and easy cleaning, Essential Tier products are a great starting point for first-time homeowners or renters that are looking for budget-friendly solutions.

2” Traditional Cordless Faux Wood Blinds (Signature Tier)*

Budget- and kid-friendly cordless faux wood blinds are exactly the solution your family and home need. The printed wood grains give the horizontal slats a realistic, wood-like look and feel. 

1” Single Touch Cordless Aluminum Mini Blinds (Signature Tier)*

These versatile, modern-looking cordless aluminum mini blinds are amazingly affordable and simple to install and use. No wand needed. Just tilt and lift with the bottom rail. 

*Our Signature Tier products feature thoughtful designs in trendy styles. Made with durable materials, Signature Tier products are the perfect place to start when looking for a beyond-basic solution that is also affordable.

Refined Fabric Vertical Blinds (Premium Tier)*

Take your décor up a notch with these high-quality fabric vertical blinds, available in a trendy selection of relaxing colors and patterns. Perfect for patio doors and wide windows.

*Our Premium Tier products feature lasting designs in timeless styles. Made of high-quality materials, Premium Tier products are the ideal choice for an excellent investment that’s made to last. Some upgrade features may be included.

Designer Elements Blackout Panel Track (Luxury Tier)*

Forget those traditional verticals and deck out your large windows and sliding glass or patio doors in ultimate style with these blackout panel tracks. 

Stained Basswood Shutters (Luxury Tier)*

Upgrade your windows with the classic, elegant look they deserve. These beautifully hand-crafted natural basswood shutters will astound for years to come! 

*Our Luxury Tier products include superior design in distinct styles. Made with unique materials and quality craftsmanship. Luxury Tier products are for the homeowner looking to indulge in sophisticated customization. Some upgrade features are included.

Take More Control Over How Your Dream Home Turns Out

DIY Design never meant “Do it ALL by Yourself.” For any space, a home design upgrade should never feel intimidating. 

Nothing makes a space look warmer and more inviting than beautiful new window treatments, and Select Blinds is all about supporting you, all the way from start to finish. We offer you tons of helpful resources to make your life (and projects) easier because we’re invested in your success! Make your dream home ALL YOURS as you custom-craft it into your dream home, without breaking your budget. As you sharpen those interior DIY design instincts, you can save yourself plenty of money in the process. 

Check out our FREE interior design consulting as just another way we can support you from start to finish. Get tips, color guidance, product recommendations, solutions to the problems you may encounter, etc. Call us today at (855) 235-3120 to take advantage of our free design consultation resources.

Free Samples. Free Shipping. Free Design Consulting. Every Day. Only at SelectBlinds.com.

Go Window Shopping For Custom Solutions to Get Your Dream Home Looking Exactly As You Dreamed It! >>

Do New Window Treatments Really Add Value to Your Home?

/ Jonathan Crowell

If you talk to several different real estate agents, you’ll probably get at least several different answers regarding things you can do to help increase the value of your home. One thing they’ll all likely agree on, is that one of the critical factors in maximizing your home’s resale value is to make sure your interior is bathed in good, adjustable lighting. 

Zillow.com directly mentions lighting on its “Best Home Improvements to Increase Value” list, asserting that: “Good lighting is crucial to showcasing your home’s features…” Zillow continues by stating that one of the best ways to invest in a better resale value for your home is to “Spruce up the décor with window treatments.”

But new window treatments can be an expensive endeavor for your home – not to mention a seemingly overwhelming task. And the cost can add up quickly if you’re paying someone to do your measurements and installation for you. Window installation can start at $20 per window, or for “by the hour” cost, up to $40 per hour. It might even cost you more if you don’t have your window treatments installed by the same company you bought them from.

But you can take better control of the costs if you do things right. You can find budget-friendly blinds and save yourself a ton if you’re willing to “DIY” it. And DIY doesn’t mean “all by yourself.” Select Blinds is here to help, for every step of your design project journey! 

Consider that window fashion for your home is actually a very worthwhile investment. Read on for reasons why new, stylish window treatments will not only add a breath of fresh air to your home’s interior décor, but why they’re also a smart way to add curbside appeal and increase the resale value to your home (especially louvered shutters).

Why Are Window Treatments a Good Investment?

Why are fashionable window treatments such a sought-after feature in a home? Nothing adds a welcoming sense of warmth and comfort to a space like beautiful custom window treatments. They’re the finishing touch of personalization on a well-designed space that you put your heart and soul into. A space you can be proud of!

Here are some more key reasons window treatments are such a great investment:

  1. Style

Window treatments are a perfect way to add color, depth, visual appeal and a personal sense of design style to any space. They can complement and accent your interior design motif. 

  1. Light Control & Privacy

We’ve mentioned how important lighting is to highlight features in your home. And from a functionality standpoint, maybe you want blackout shades to help you or your children sleep in when you want to. Or maybe you want to watch your favorite movie without an annoying glare shining in. 

Then there’s privacy. You should be able to easily and conveniently manage how well you can see outside, and prevent others from looking in from your home’s exterior. 

  1. Energy Efficiency

Regardless of what type of climate you live in, or what time of year it may be, you can always find energy-efficient window covering options for your home that will help you reduce your energy bills significantly. What a great return for investing in your windows!

According to the United States Department of Energy: “In heating seasons, tightly installed cellular shades can reduce heat loss through windows by 40% or more, which equates to about 10% heating energy savings. In cooling seasons, cellular shades can reduce unwanted solar heat through windows by up to 60%, reducing the total solar gain to 20% when installed with a tight fit.” 

Any type of window treatment blocks out the incoming heat from the sun’s rays and heat during warm weather months to help keep your indoor space nice and cool. For colder months, window treatments can keep the cold drafts out, and in some cases, like cellular / honeycomb shades, they can trap the heat to keep it indoors.

  1. Convenience

For homes with several windows, it can be time consuming to spend each day raising and lowering them all. Why not try motorized window treatments, or better yet, try automated ones. Tie all of the shades in an area of your home to a single remote control button, or better yet, all of your window treatments to an app, so you don’t even have to think about it.

  1. Protect Your Furniture and Interior

Everyone loves sunny weather. However, the sun’s harmful UV rays can inflict lasting damage on your furniture and on your home’s interior. Excessive UV exposure can cause premature drying, cracking, and fading. Keep your furniture and interior looking their best for a long time to come with protective window treatments (especially solar shades for your interior and exterior solar shades for your outdoor areas).

We Can Help You Find the Perfect Solutions for Your Home Upgrade Projects

Don’t let a home design upgrade project intimidate you. You got this! And we’re here to support you all the way from start to finish with helpful resources to make your life easier. Make your house ALL YOURS as you custom-craft it into your dream home. No need to break the bank to do it, either. Sharpen those interior DIY design instincts, and save yourself plenty of money in the process. And we got you! Free interior design consulting is just another way we can support you in all your home upgrade projects. Call us today at (888) 314-1133 to tap into our free design consultation resources.

With custom window treatments easily and smartly installed, you will help your home be a calm sanctuary to live in, and to stand way out over the competition when you need to sell.

Free samples. Free shipping. Free design consulting. Every Day. Only at SelectBlinds.com.

Go Window Shopping for Some Trendy New Select Blinds Window Treatments! >>

Do You Really Need a Valance or Cornice Board?

/ Larry Walker

By Select Blinds

Valance or no valance? That might be your question.

A valance and a cornice board are decorative encasings that can add a nice final accent or touch to your window coverings. Some valances and cornice boards are more casual-looking, and others are more formal, but either way, they are meant to match or complement your blinds or shades along with the décor of the room.

Valances come in minimalist looks, pleated/ruffled looks, and range anywhere else from classic wooden finished looks to sharp metallic looks. They swag, cascade, layer, and balloon, and there is any number of styles to choose from, to please any personal taste. Cornice boards tend to be thicker and weightier in appearance.

Valance close up
A valance and a cornice board are decorative encasings that can add a nice final accent or touch to your window coverings. They can add functionality and style to any window or room.

What is the Purpose of a Valance or Cornice Board?

Valances and cornice boards are usually made of fabric, wood, or metal, depending on the type of style of your window covering. They are meant to hiding the top hardware of your window coverings and give your windows a more tidy, interesting look.

Are Valances Out of Style?

There are many cheap-looking, droopy valances, to be sure, and no, these are not what we’re talking about. Valances and cornice boards are very commonly used, and very effectively, by professional interior designers, including in newer, modern homes. Adding a valance to adorn your window treatments is an incredibly easy way to stylishly customize and add personalized flair to your home.

Valances and cornice boards are always useful as a design element, whether you’re using them for roller shades, Zebra/dual shades, or to top off a classic looking Roman shade. They add functionality and stability to your window covering.

Valance in a living room.
Valances and cornice boards can add an added visual dimension, weight,
and even height to a room.

Other Advantages of Incorporating a Valance or Cornice Board into Your Design

There are many advantages from going with a valance or cornice board. Here are a few:

Cover up Hardware, Decorate Curtain Tops

One of a valance’s primary functions is to cover up hardware, curtain rods, and anything else at the top of a window you might want to adorn. A valance gives a continuous look and feel to any window covering.  They can even tie together different window coverings in the same room.

Soften up Your Window’s Appearance

Blinds, sliding panels, and other window treatments can give a hard-edged look to a room. Valances can broaden, adorn, enhance, and soften any window covering.

Versatility

Valances are fashionable enough to be used as stand-alone window treatments, and they also work well in tandem with window blinds, shades, or drapery for a creative layering effect.

New Looks and Seasonal Touches

For a room design update, refresh, or seasonal splash of color, you can always replace valances in a room for an entirely updated appearance, without having to spend a lot on brand new window treatments. 

Add Dimension to Your Windows

Valances give a natural broadening aspect to your window, offering the appearance of added weight and solidity. They also offer the illusion of increased height to a room.

Valance in a bedroom.
Valance always gives a more austere, weighty look to windows and rooms.

Select Blinds’ Staff Recommends:

Some products need to have a valance or cornice board (usually wood blinds or faux wood blinds), but for most, it’s merely an option. We work with customers and other users all the time that are trying to solve design puzzles of their own. What do we recommend as products we think work amazingly with a valance? See some suggestions below!

Remember, a valance or cornice board can be just the perfect design solution you’ve been working on! Enhance the functionality as well as style for your window coverings all at once!

#BlindsWeLove

How to Avoid Buyer’s Remorse (Without Gaining 20 lbs from Eating Ice Cream)

/ Larry Walker
Remorseful man with hands over face
Photo by Christian Erfurt on Unsplash

At some point we’ve all learned: wine and Amazon don’t mix.

Besides making you a prime target for porch pirates, buying something you don’t really need or getting something and realizing it’s not what you really wanted thanks to those late-night shopping sprees can leave you with a severe case of buyer’s remorse — and a few unwanted pounds.

Buyer’s remorse strikes almost all of us at one time or another. And we all handle it differently. In a fun little poll we took recently, finding solace from it in the form of food and drink (specifically wine and chocolate) was one way our followers shared. An equal number turned things around by buying more stuff, while a few others had a good soak in the tub and cried it out.

woman in bathtub with head down
Photo by Tophee Marquez from Pexels

Most people, though, simply choose to cancel or return their order. Which is easy to do with Select Blinds. In fact, we give you a 24-hour grace (or sobering up) period before sending your order on to our manufacturing plant. Just so you can make sure you’ve got everything right or that you aren’t having any second thoughts.

Another way we help you avoid buyer’s remorse? Our 90-day, 100% satisfaction guarantee.

If there’s a defect in a product’s material or workmanship, or if it isn’t made to the exact size and specifications you ordered, we promise to make it right at no cost to you for up to 90 days from the date of purchase.

And if you’re not happy with your custom covering for any other reason within the first 90 days — you don’t like the color, you need a different mount or lift style, changed your mind about a feature, etc. – we’ll remake that same product in the same size for the same great discount price you originally paid, plus an additional 10% off.

Even if you make a mistake on your order, we have you covered. With our F.I.T. Guarantee, if you have an “oops!” moment measuring your window and your custom covering doesn’t fit, simply call us and we’ll remake that exact same product for you (one remake per order) for free within 30 days of the date your order was delivered. (You just cover a small $10 shipping fee.)

Ordering lots of free samples is another way to make sure you’ll never be sorry for shopping with us. Try up to 15 at a time to find the perfect color and type of blinds you’ll love. Reviewing some of the hundreds of thousands of 5-star reviews and pictures we get from happy customers (check them out, right here on The Blinds Spot) will give you even more peace of mind. And if you need a little inspiration, follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to see how some of your favorite social influencers use our custom blinds and shades in their most popular projects.

With our team of experienced window design experts always here to help, you’ll never have to worry about getting something you don’t want or need. Just call or click to talk with us and turn that frown upside down!

So don’t worry about that extra glass of wine. Now that you know you can shop responsibly and remorse-free here on SelectBlinds.com!

Designer contemporary faux wood blinds
Move faux-ward! Take an extra 5% off faux wood blinds like our 2″ Designer Contemporary Faux Woods through March!


What Blinds Should I Buy? SelectBlinds.com Did the Leg Work for You!

/ Larry Walker
You’ve just moved into a new home. The movers are gone and all of your belongings are safely encased within your new abode. As you sort through box after box in your bare living room, you get the feeling you’re being watched when you realize your windows are bare, too. Or maybe, comfy in your long-lived-in surroundings,  you randomly glance up at your bruised and broken accordion shades and think, “You know,  I need something new on the windows, but what blinds should I buy?”

No worries; you got this! Here’s a quick overview of our most popular window blind categories and suggestions on which rooms these products work best in.

Cellular / Pleated Shades

Signature Light Filtering Cordless Cell Shades in Gray from SelectBlinds.com

Our Classic Light Filtering Cordless Cellular Shades provide year-round insulation and privacy.

Cellular and pleated window coverings are the most popular and cost-effective way to cover windows while also reducing heating/cooling costs via their insulating honeycomb design. Pleated’s are made from a single layer of fabric filled with tiny, insulating cells, whereas cellulars are made from multiple layers with single or double cells. The accordion-style pleats in both styles block harmful UV rays and trap incoming air and even noise. Try them in a light filtering material to illuminate living rooms or dens, wherever you need some protection but also want adequate light penetration. A blackout, or room darkening, material is recommended for bedrooms and media rooms to keep out natural and artificial lighting. Steer clear of cellular/pleated shades in areas of high moisture, though. Humidity in the bathroom or kitchen can cause the adhesive on the cells to loosen, causing them to separate or sag (and nobody likes a droopy shade!).

Wood/ Faux Wood Blinds

Signature 2 Inch Faux Woods in Porcelain from SelectBlinds.com

Our 2″ Premium Faux Wood Blinds are the perfect window covering for the bathroom or kitchen.

Which brings us to our next window covering option! Wood and faux wood window treatments are like step-brothers; same basic concept, different materials. Our wood window treatments are made of soft, light basswood whose consistent grain offers an intellectual look with a traditional feel. Although wood can be prone to warping in moisture and intense heat, available in various stains and paints, they’re an inviting option for almost any room in your home.

Faux woods, on the other hand, are made from a polymer composite in a variety of colors with either a matte finish or textured, wood-grain-like vinyl finish. This PVC-like material provides a more pliable and resistant slat that is impervious to warping. Keep in mind, these are heavier than their real-wood counterparts, so they aren’t recommended for wider windows. If you’re looking for the perfect window coverings for over your kitchen sink or bathtub, sample a slat of our faux Venetians here!

Roller Shades

Designer Roller Collection II in Room Darkening Lillian Silver from SelectBlinds.com

Our Architect Blackout Roller  inherits its patterns from historic Italian design books.

Like a well-oiled machine, rollers are smooth, consistent and dependable. The perfect foundation for popular layered looks, add a cordless lift and you have an affordable, child-safe product that’s applicable in any space. In a rainbow of brilliant colors, they’re a great transitional product in kids and teens rooms. If you’re looking at a vinyl roller shade, be leery, though, when installing in areas near condensation and vapor. It’s possible to see water spots or experience slight material distortion where splashing water is frequent.

If you have a really high or hard to reach window, add motorization to your rollers to make raising and lowering your treatments as easy as pressing a button, tapping your phone, or asking Alexa!

Woven Wood Shades

Cynthia Harper's Kitchen with Designer Series Woven Woods in Jute Natural from SelectBlinds.com

Our Designer Series Woven Woods Shades (no liner) make Cynthia’s light and bright kitchen pop!

Take a look at the plethora of photos featuring natural woven wood and bamboo window coverings on our Instagram and you’ll see why they’re a designer favorite! With their ability to adapt to surroundings, no wonder designers call them “window chameleons.” Farmhouse, coastal, rustic, boho, you name it … these shape-shifters are real game changers. Bamboo blinds are typically a series of tiny wood slats bound together with a tough twine, or a medley of straws, grasses and woods entangled in an idyllic weave (hence the alias “woven wood blinds”). With three choices of transparency — no liner, privacy, or blackout liner — these eco-friendly products are bound to be the focal point in any bedroom, studio, or sitting room!

Roman Shades

Select Light Filtering Romans in White Canvas from SelectBlinds.com | Fox's Home Free

These White Lifestyle Romans were featured on Season 2 of Fox’s Home Free!

Do as the Romans do! Voluminous and voluptuous, roman shades are a true window dressing. With so many fabric and fold options, you’ll find no shortage of inspiration to conquer a clash with home design. Another great candidate for homes that need insulation, these Italian-inspired, centuries-old classic window treatments work great in bedrooms, dining rooms and living areas. The luxurious and elegant fabrics can be reinforced with a light filtering or blackout liner, too.

Sheer Shades

3 Inch Room Darkening Sheers in Cocoa Bean from SelectBlinds.com

Versatile 3″ Room Darkening Sheer Shades combine the fabric of shades with the slats of a blind.

For the look of sheer luxury and intrigue, try the unique style of this 2-in-1 window treatment. Constructed with wide fabric slats between two delicate sheets of sheer fabric, they create a stunning shadow effect on windows. Open and close them like a traditional horizontal blind; raise and lower like a regular shade. Their light and airy construction in sheer and contrasting colors make an impressive design statement, particularly on extra wide windows. And most of our sheers come standard with a motorized wand for easy, child-safe operation with the touch of a button.

Vertical Wood, Faux Wood & Cellular

Select Textured Verticals in Charleston White from SelectBlinds.com

These Select Textured Vertical Blinds are an example of a stellar sliding glass door window treatment.

A long-time favorite for covering tall and extra-wide windows and doors, today’s vertical window treatments make a towering design statement in a variety of easy-care materials to fit any style. Like horizontals, verticals are available in wood, faux wood, fabric, and textured PVC vanes in popular patterns and colors. One of our newest additions to the family is the Vertical Cellular. Since windows and doors account for a third of all heat/cooling loss in homes, use them to harness the undeniable insulating quality that honeycomb window treatments bring for a modern spin on patio door window coverings. Or try a new, avant-garde wide panel vertical treatment you can also use as a unique room divider.

Solar Shades (Interior and Exterior)

Exterior Signature Sheer Weave 1 Percent in Light Sandstone from SelectBlinds.com

The Exterior Classic Sheer Weave 1% solar shade blocks 99% of UV rays, keeping you cool in and out.

Solar shades create a barrier between you and the sun, without compromising your view. Varying degrees of “openness” (1%, 3%, 5%, 10% and 14%) allow for just the right amount of light control. The lower the percentage, the more they  block light.

Exterior solar shades are excellent for patios and decks, while interior solar shades help reduce glare and heat in kitchens and sun rooms. Like roller shades, cordless solar shades are easy to use and install. Free cordless operation is available with many of our solar products, or for high, hard-to-reach areas, consider a continuous cord loop or motorized lift.

Drapery/Curtains

Grommet Drapes in Linen Weave Rich Ivory from SelectBlinds.com

The wide selection of colors in our Grommet Drapes/Curtains to complement any furniture or decor.

Whether you want to store heat or prevent it, curtains are one of the best ways to keep your electric bills down. Use drapery to highlight a window all on it’s own, or combine forces with a horizontal blind for full room darkening, layered look! To see how to hang curtains pleat-by-pleat, watch this video from Better Homes & Gardens.

#GoCordless

Clean looking cordless gives window treatments a more modern, streamlined appearance, and make it easier to raise and lower them (no more tangled cords!). But more importantly, we always recommend going cordless to keep your little ones safe from strangulation hazards posed by dangling lift/tilt cords. And at SelectBlinds.com, you’ll find a cordless option for every product in every category listed above.

Start Shopping!

Now that you’re well equipped to handle your own window design, it’s time to start shopping! SelectBlinds.com has a solution for any window or door in your home, even skylights, french doors and arches! Check out our Buyer Guides and watch our YouTube channel for quick tips and and answers! Your SelectBlinds.com Customer Loyalty Team is always here to help, too:

Phone: 888-257-1840

Email: customercare@selectblinds.com

or Chat online at SelectBlinds.com

Sharon A. Upgrades from Aluminum to Select Blinds’ Honeycomb/Cellular Shades

/ Larry Walker
Drapery over White Pleated Shades from SelectBlinds

Here at SelectBlinds.com we pride ourselves on how you feel about us. After all, there’s a reason we love to highlight the fact that we are the highest-rated and most-reviewed window fashions company in the world!

We really enjoy helping people improve their rooms and lives with custom window shades at an affordable price. We can’t help but smile when customers share their excitement with us, and of course becoming a “Happy Customer” is how you get entered into a contest to win a $250 Visa gift card.

(Tap or click here to learn more about that)

But beyond the contest, we really like to know why people not only chose their window coverings, but also what they like best. The best way to find out is to, well, ask, which is what we’re doing here.

So say “Hello” to Sharon Almstrom, who ordered two Select 1″ Blackout Pleated Shades and three Select Double Cell Blackout Shades from us in February 2019.

Sharon told us she was “definitely happy” with the purchases, adding that there were already nice coverings in some of the rooms of her house but that it was time to upgrade the bedrooms “to be as  nice too!”

We asked Sharon to elaborate a bit on her experience with Select Blinds, here’s what she had to say:

Why did you decide to order these window coverings?

“For the master bedroom we knew we needed blackout but wanted something kind of classy looking. Our living room already had 1” pleated light filtering shades and we really liked those. So after ordering a few color samples of the blackout pleated shades, we picked a simple white that will go with everything.

“In our children’s rooms, when we first moved in, all three of the windows had broken mini blinds. We only had one child at the time though. We quickly ran out to a big box store and for about $50 bought some single cell blackout shades. They were okay but a little narrow for the window and hung crooked, even though they were installed straight at the top.

“So when the second child was born and we needed a new shade for her room, we decided to change the older child’s shades to a better version at the same time. So both of their rooms got blackout double cell shades. It’s amazing how dark it is in their rooms now for midday naps!”

Before and After Using SelectBlinds.com

Our blackouts are great at helping the little ones sleep. How about the installation process?

“Installation was pretty easy. Maybe 10-15 minutes per window. Checked to see that all parts were present and would fit and then it was just a matter or measuring and installing!

“The hardest part was not being mad at the extra holes from the previous owner’s lazy installation of cheap window treatments.”

White Honeycomb Shades with Purple Floral Valance and Wall Paint

Our coverings sure do block the perfect amount of light. So, now that they are a part of your home, what do you like best about them? 

“The new shades look very nice, crisp, sophisticated. This is a relatively new house for us so being able to upgrade things like the shades to something really nice looking is wonderful. And the blackout feature makes it great for sleeping when it’s daylight, whether it be sleeping in in the morning or an afternoon nap!”

Replacing Broken Bedroom Mini Blinds with SelectBlinds.com Blackout Cell Shades

Looking at the photos it is easy to see why Sharon is so excited about her home’s newest additions.

And with that, we are pleased to share the story of another happy customer!

Can Window Coverings Be Poetic? Let’s Find Out for World Poetry Day

/ Larry Walker
Cup of coffee and writing pen on napkin with poetry terms

A poem for you, a poem for me. Let’s all celebrate a day for poetry!

Ha! We’re a poet and didn’t know it. Or did we? Did you know that March 21 is known as World Poetry Day? Founded in 1999 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the holiday, according to un.org, “recognizes the unique ability of poetry to capture the creative spirit of the human mind.”

Similarly, window coverings allow one to get quite creative when designing the look of their home. With so many styles, patterns and colors to choose from, the only limit is one’s imagination.

So in the spirit of the holiday — and our business — we’ve come up with some poems that  help tell the story of what we here at Select Blinds are all about.

Let’s start with some Haiku’s. For those who do not know, the Haiku is of Japanese origin and is a poem that contains 17 syllables, organized in a 5-7-5 pattern.

You visit our site
To find window coverings
You see them and smile

Do as the Romans
Lovely fabrics and colors
Roman Shades look great

Select Blinds is here
To help improve your windows
And make you happy

Let’s keep our kids safe
From the dangers of long cords
Choose a cordless look

The light blinds and my
Head hurts. Blackout shades are good
Happy vampiress.

Whatever you need
To make your windows look good
Is at Select Blinds

An old-fashioned look
With great durability
Shutters are for you

Your window’s ugly
But it does not need to be
Select Blinds can help

The sun is shining
But you don’t want UV Rays
You want Solar Shades

Another type of poetry is the limerick. According to Wikipedia, the rhyming scheme is  such where the first, second and fifth lines rhyme, while the third and fourth lines are shorter and share a different rhyme.

You want your windows to look good,
But to pay high prices, you’re  not in the mood,
So head to Select Blinds,
To get out of your bind,
And show off your windows, you would.

An ugly window is no fun,
But you wonder, what can be done,
At Select Blinds we are here,
With window coverings you need not fear,
Because they’ll look good when blocking the sun.

Window coverings need not be boring,
They can actually be pretty fun,
Just go to Select Blinds,
And what you will find,
Is an inability to pick just one.

Are we poetic or what!

Fine, we won’t quit our day jobs. Of course, we’re just having some fun here, taking some poetic license to put a little spin of our own on this creative holiday.

There are plenty of other forms of poetry, and no doubt much better poems than what you just read. But all types of poetry boil down to self-expression and people feeling something upon reading or hearing it.

Same goes for the many types of window coverings. Whatever you choose, you’re expressing your own unique style and creating a look that makes you feel good.  And there’s certainly a lot of poetic justice in that, isn’t there?