Decor Tips: A Glossary Of Key Window Decor Terms

So you've moved into your new home and have nothing but bed sheets obstructing your neighbors from peering into your windows. Looks like you're in dire need of quality window treatments.

But before you run off in search of the perfect window dressings, here's a helpful glossary of window décor terms from the experts at Blinds To Go to help you navigate through the sea of design choices.

Blinds are window coverings that offer versatility. They have horizontal or vertical slats that can be rotated for maximum light and privacy control. The slats can be made from wood, fabric or aluminum. The slats or material can be rotated for light and privacy control. Vertical blinds operate similarly to a drapery; they can be opened from the center and stack as a pair on both sides of the window, or they can draw from one side and stack as a panel. Horizontal blinds are drawn up and can be easily hidden, if desired, beneath a valance or top treatment.

Cellular shades are an innovative fabric shade constructed from honeycomb-shaded cells that insulate windows with pockets of trapped air. The practical honeycomb structure of this shade is visible only from the side. From the front, a closed cellular shade appears to be a cascade of crisp pleats. When opened, cellular shades fold up neatly along the pleat lines to the top of the head-rail.

Double cellular shades are fabric shades with double cell design for increased energy efficiency. This fabric is also available in single cell design.

Fabric shades are shades that are generally raised and lowered by folding or gathering fabric to the top.

Pleated shades are fabric shades made from a crisply pleated material that closely resembles a cellular shade.

Roman shades are fabric shades that fold neatly to the top when drawn open. A classic roman shade has overlapping folds when the shade is lowered, while a flat roman has no folds when lowered.

Room darkening fabric is a term that refers to fabric that has been treated or is constructed to block out a large portion of the sunlight, providing a "room darkening" effect. This type of fabric is used mainly in bedrooms, but has applications in a wide variety of rooms.

Shades are window coverings that are made of material, which can be permanently pleated, like that of a cellular or pleated shade, or can be a drapery fabric like that of a roman shade. Shades are drawn up and stacked at the top of the window. Shades can be raised to allow more light into a room and then lowered to afford more privacy. They can be stopped at different intervals on the window, and still maintain a neat, finished look.

Stack is a term used to describe the amount of space a treatment uses when drawn to reveal your window.

Top treatment refers to any treatment that is used over the "top" of another, most commonly referred to as a valance.

Window shadings refers to a new category of fabric blinds which combine the features of a horizontal shade with the elegance of sheer fabrics.

For more home décor and window covering ideas, visit a Blinds To Go superstore (1-800-blinds-7 for store locations) or its Web site at www.blindstogo.com.

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