Which Is Better for You: Vinyl or Aluminum Window Treatments

From preventing direct daylight to providing privacy, to helping insulate your home with stylish designs, window treatments play a crucial role in your home. They’re not only useful, but they’re fun and bring more of your personality into your home. There are endless colors and texture options that make drapes, shutters, shades, and blinds a magnificent addition to your home. 

But when it comes to window treatment solutions, there are so many options that it can seem overwhelming. At Budget Blinds of Tempe and Central Phoenix, we’re here to help narrow down the choices and explain what each of them are, where they work best, and if they’re right for you. Today, we’re tackling two popular materials: vinyl and aluminum. 

Affordability

At Budget Blinds of Tempe and Central Phoenix, we pride ourselves in our ability to provide window treatments for every budget. Vinyl blinds and aluminum blinds are some of our most popular choices because they are very budget-friendly and don’t skimp out on style, durability, or efficiency. 

They’re also very versatile and can fit most windows and doors, which means you don’t have to worry about spending a fortune on larger windows. 

However, the bigger the blinds, the more they will generally cost no matter what they’re made of. Vinyl blinds tend to cost less than aluminum and the price difference between them can increase when the size of the blind increases as well.

Their texture can also change the price. Vinyl blinds that are manufactured to look like wood blinds may cost more than the common white style. Keep that in mind when you’re choosing blinds, or let one of our design experts help you. They can find the right style for you that’s within your budget during our free consultation. Give us a call today to set one up! 

Energy Efficiency

When it comes to energy efficiency, they’re both very good at blocking light and heat. However, aluminum excels more than vinyl. 

Aluminum blinds reflect the sun's rays more effectively, which leads to cooler rooms in the summer and warmer in the winter months. Scientifically speaking, aluminum has a higher heat capacity than most metals at 0.897. This means that it doesn’t heat up as quickly, which, in turn, means your rooms stay cooler for longer. 

On the other hand, vinyl blinds are prone to absorbing the sun’s rays causing a warmer room. That is because vinyl is essentially plastic, which is notorious for absorbing heat and cold very quickly. However, the color of the vinyl can help reflect heat, so if you choose a lighter color, it does a better job at keeping heat out of your house. 

Both help prevent the sun’s UV rays from entering the home when closed, regardless of their heat capacities. 

That being said, aluminum is still the clear winner when it comes to energy efficiency out of the two. So we recommend putting aluminum blinds in rooms that tend to receive a lot of sun.

Styles

Aluminum and vinyl blinds are both available in a variety of horizontal and vertical styles and sizes. They do look similar, but there are some minor differences between the two. 

Aluminum blinds combine sleek functionality and versatility, and provide lasting style for any home. They’re lightweight and available in ½” micro, 1” and 2” premium slat sizes. In addition, aluminum blinds and mini blinds are simple to operate and offer a broad range of lighting control options.

Aluminum blinds don’t often vary in color, so that’s something to keep in mind when you’re choosing between aluminum window treatments or vinyl. 

Vinyl Styles

Vinyl blinds from Budget Blinds are crafted from durable, stain-resistant, care-free PVC, meaning they’re great for homes with pets and kids. 

They are available in a variety of colors and textures that can be easily mixed and matched with your existing home decor. Vertical vinyl blinds also fit well into large windows and sliding glass doors, for a finished, designer look.

Durability and Maintenance 

Aluminum blinds are strong and do not break as easily as vinyl blinds. Vinyl blinds, however, flex easier and do not tend to dent or crease. 

Aluminum blinds are easier to repair than vinyl blinds; usually when vinyl blinds break, they are simply discarded.

Meanwhile, vinyl blinds have more flexibility to them. They don’t tend to dent or crease. The downside is that they’re easier to break, so if you have a pet that likes to spend time near the window, you might want to consider aluminum.

They’re both relatively easy to clean if you’re gentle with them. Simply dust them about once a week. You can spot clean them both with warm water and dish soap as well, because they’re both water resistant. Dry them after to prevent any water spots from forming. 

When in Doubt, Get Expert Advice

No matter your style or budget, Budget Blinds of Tempe and Central Phoenix is here to help. We can help you find the perfect vinyl or aluminum window treatment for your home. If you don’t like what you see, we have many other options to choose from as well, such as Roman shades, wood shutters, panels and drapes, and more. The best part? There’s no risk to you with our free design consultation. So give us a call today!