Finding the best window treatments for your home can be a difficult task in Buffalo, Mo.  With so many options, styles, textures, and materials - it is so hard to choose!

You can divide the types of window treatments into two distinct categories:

• Window treatments made of materials like vinyl, composite, or wood are classified as hard. These would include blinds, shutters, and shades. 

• Any window treatment made of fabric is classified as soft. These include curtains/drapes, sheers, roman shades, cellular shades, and roller shades. 

Combining a hard treatment with a soft one on the same window is considered a layered window treatment. Mixing them together increases the decorating possibilities.

Window Treatments - Hard

Woven Wood Shades

The popular name for this type of shade is bamboo or matchstick shades. They can be used inside or outside. They are a popular choice for outdoor sun shades, in Fair Grove, Mo. In addition to the popular bamboo, they can also be made from other types of wood, grasses, and exotic reeds. This leads to a natural, exotic look that adds texture and sophisticated natural coloring to this particular decorating element. 

Window Shutters

Window shutters are made of plastic, composite, or wood. Window shutters are designed for both the inside and outside of the home, although the designs for the two environments vary. Both have slats, either fixed or hinged, sitting at an angle. 

Exterior shutters are designed to keep out the elements, especially rain. They also protect your windows from damage by extreme weather elements in Half Way, Mo. They can be just decorative in nature to enhance the curb appeal of the home.

Interior shutters typically have hinged slats. This means they can be opened for maximum visibility, or closed to provide privacy and security.  This aids in controlling the amount of light allowed in the room. 

Venetian Blinds

Made of wood, metal, or plastic. The blind is made of a series of horizontal slats evenly spaced on a series of cords that enable you to rotate the slats all at the same time to control the light and visibility allowed in the room. When rotated fully each way, the slats overlap in such a way to form a solid covering.

Vertical Blinds

Verticals actually belong to both categories since in addition to plastic (PVC, both flat and embossed), metal, wood, and faux wood (hard materials), they are also available in fabric versions (a soft). The slats of the blinds hang vertically and they open to the side, instead of being raised or lowered like a traditional window blind. This design is optimal for large, wide windows and sliding glass doors. The advantage of the fabric version of a vertical is that they help to reduce noise and offer some insulation from the seasonal temperatures in Pleasant Hope, Mo.

Window Treatments - Soft

Roman shades

Roman shades could also be considered a cross-over product. Most commonly made of fabric, they can also be made of wood or bamboo. When the shade is closed, the fabric hangs flat and covers the whole window. This offers some degree of insulation against the outside temperatures and provides privacy. When they are open, they fold into relatively flat, horizontal pleats. 

Roller Shades

Roller shades are a popular, cost-effective window treatment in Springfield, Mo. They are popular for decorating because of the endless number of options available when it comes to choosing a fabric. As the name implies, the fabric rolls around a central shaft as the shade is raised or lowered. The design allows you to control how much of the window is covered.

Drapes/Curtains

Probably the most versatile of the soft window treatment options. The endless variety of fabrics, prints, and designs gives you unlimited options when designing the look of a room. Depending on fabric choice and design, curtains or drapes can be casual and fun or luxurious and sophisticated. They can be used to actually cover the windows, offering both noise reduction and temperature control, or just remain open on the sides of the windows as a decorating element. 

Combining Window Treatment Elements

In many cases, it makes sense to combine two or more of the window treatment options to achieve the desired look. For example, you might use plantation shutters on the lower part of the window and drapes on the upper half. This would give you control over privacy and light while still allowing for a decorating element in the room.

Another popular combination is roller shades with a valance. This can actually create the look of a Roman shade since the fabric can be chosen to complement the roller shade fabric.

A third combination that is gaining in popularity is draperies with plantation shutters. Again, this provides for privacy and temperature control while allowing for a decorating element in the room.

There are endless possibilities when it comes to combining window treatment elements. The key is to choose the combination that makes the most sense for your particular needs and the look you are trying to achieve in the room.

If you are not sure which combination is right for you, call today to consult with one of our window treatment specialists. We will come to your home for a free consultation and bring all the samples with us so you can see how they will look in your room. We can help you choose the perfect combination of window treatments to achieve the look you are going for.

NW Springfield serves the following areas:Buffalo, Fair Grove, Half Way, Pleasant Hope, Springfield