Sunday, October 21, 2007
Spend as little as $33 or as much as $400.
WASHINGTON POST
Sometimes curtains just aren’t enough.
If you need to block light from a window that is taller than it is wide, the usual choice is horizontal blinds. Material is the primary driver of price; options include premium hardwoods, a blend of hardwoods and composite materials, or aluminum. Other aspects that can add to the cost include ultraviolet light protection, soundproofing and additional childproofing features. Some manufacturers offer a greater choice of colors.
Janeen Braddock, office manager for Shade & Shutter Shack in Washington, said that when people walk into her showroom, the first question she asks is where the window covering is going. After that, she figures out people’s priorities, whether they are aestheticor a matter of how much light to let in. “In other cases, price is more important, like for a rental.”
Here’s a look at what you can get for your money. All prices are estimated for a window 36 inches wide by 60 inches tall.
THE BARGAIN
Aluminum miniblinds are popular with those who are on the tightest budgets. You can pick up Blinds.com’s house brand of one-inch blinds for $33. Made of six-gauge aluminum, these blinds are lightweight, sturdy and scratch-resistant. They’ll block the light, but don’t expect any big energy savings.
THE BASICS
If you’ve got a little more to spend, consider blinds made of faux wood or vinyl. The artificial material resists warping, cracking and splitting. That’s particularly valuable in humid rooms such as bathrooms. All the major blind manufacturers offer these blinds, which provide a bit of insulation and soundproofing. They’re also easier to clean than aluminum. Bali’s two-inch faux wood blinds run about $50. Hunter Douglas’ Everwood CountrySide line sells for about $150.
THE UPGRADE
The next step up includes blinds made of relatively inexpensive woods, usually basswood. For example, Bali’s two-inch basswood blinds are available stained or painted for about $100. Next Day Blinds offers a version for $122.
THE SPLURGE
Prices jump considerably when you go for what many people consider the most attractive option: premium wood. For example, Hunter Douglas’ Country Woods blinds are made of ash, oak, cherry or Brazilian cherry, and can be painted or stained. They come with a tailored wood valance to cover the headrail. Options include decorative fabric tapes, a no-holes option to block out more light and get tighter closure (and thus better insulation) and a cordless system to raise and lower the blinds without a string for safety. Prices for premium wood blinds range from $225 to $400, approaching the cost of shutters.