When updating a home, most people think of the obvious enhancements: a fresh coat of paint, new furniture, a new piece of artwork, or even a houseplant. But what many overlook are the window treatments.
The curtains, shades, or blinds on your windows can make a great impact on the look and feel of a room. And whether you’re updating the room or not, there are key signs to let you know it’s time to replace your window treatments.
Warped or Bent Slats
You wouldn’t keep a broken chair in your living room, so why keep broken blinds? If your blinds are bent out of shape or warped from humidity or heat damage, it’s definitely time to find a replacement. Misshapen blinds won’t be just an eyesore, either–the damage will likely prevent you from raising and lowering them correctly as well.
Unsafe for Children or Pets
If you have curious children or pets in your home, you may want to consider replacing your window treatments with cordless versions. Exposed cords are a strangulation hazard. Fortunately, Manufacturers have created child safe products that were not available years ago. These types of shades include: cordless shades or blinds, plantation shutters, or draperies might be a better choice for your home.
Difficult to Operate
Blinds that are difficult to operate can pose more of a threat than just an annoying inconvenience. If you’re using significant force every time you try to raise your blinds, chances are high you could pull them off the wall completely. Your blinds might be difficult to operate for a few reasons: the lifting mechanisms could be damaged and on the brink of breaking, or the slats were made too wide so the cords and mechanisms can’t support the load. Either way, it’s time to replace.
Discolored or Yellowed Slats
Since they spend a lot of time in the sun, all blinds are susceptible to discoloration or fading. However, if your blinds have dramatically yellowed or discolored, the issue may be more serious than just an interior decorating disaster. Intense discoloration is a sign of material deterioration, meaning the structural integrity of your blinds is at risk. Replace your blinds before they fall apart completely, and consider a material with UV inhibitors for a longer-lasting solution.
Don’t Close Tightly
If you notice your blinds don’t close as tightly as they used to, or the slats barely respond when you twist the tilt wand, it’s time to consider a replacement. This is an indication that the tilt mechanism has given out, and it’s a difficult piece to replace without dealing with the hassle of re-cording your whole blind. Your best bet in this situation is just to replace the entire unit.
Out of Style
Think window treatments can’t go out of style? Think again. If you’ve never replaced your blinds or are still sporting the blinds that were installed when your home was built, it’s probably time for an upgrade. Modern furniture and other interior updates will only go so far if you’ve still got venetian blinds or old-fashioned roller shades on your windows. In addition to an outdated look, old blinds can be worn out and dangerous. Outside of plantation shutters, most window treatments come with a lifespan of just seven or eight years. Do your family (and interior decorating) a favor, and swap out your old blinds for a safe and stylish upgrade.
New Windows
What better time to replace your window treatments than when you’re replacing the windows themselves? Kill two birds with one stone and pick out a new treatment to go with your new windows. Chances are, your old blinds won’t be a perfect fit for the new windows, anyway, as new windows often have less depth.
Don’t Meet Your Needs
Finally, your old blinds simply might not meet your window treatment needs. They could be in great shape, but if your blinds aren’t providing the privacy, insulation, or sun protection you need, it might be time to upgrade to a window treatment that better fits your needs. If you’re looking for more privacy, consider shades rather than blinds. If you want to cut energy costs, cellular shades and blinds will provide the best insulation for all seasons. And for glare control and sun blockage, try blackout shades and curtains.
Regardless of which window treatment you need, East End Blinds can offer you a high-quality and reasonably priced solution. CONTACT US today!
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