The proper window covering can do more than complete your decor — it can save you money.
“It definitely can help your utility bills, especially (with) keeping the heat out in the summer,” said Katie Linnell, owner of Made in the Shade, a custom blind and shade company in Colorado Springs.
Linnell has seen a rise in business lately, as homeowners prepare for seasonal changes.
“Heat and sun are such an important factor here in the Springs,” she said. “This is the season that people are in their homes more, so you tend to do more in-home projects. That way they’re ready for when spring and summer hit and it really starts to get warm.”
Linnell offers free in-home consultations to help clients zero in on the type and style of blinds or shades that would work best for their space and needs.
“Some people know right away (they) want a Roman shade or a faux-wood blind,” Linnell said. “Others don’t. I ask them ‘What are they trying to accomplish with that window?’ Are they trying to keep heat out, or are they trying to maintain privacy, or is it just aesthetics?”
Not sure what custom window covering is for you? Here’s a brief guide to the basics:
Cellular shades
“Being in the Colorado sun can be really intense,” Linnell said. “That’s where I like to recommend a cellular shade.”
Cellular, or “honeycomb” shades, are the most energy-efficient shade for all temperature scenarios, Linnell said. “The cellular shade is made with cells that trap the heat and the cold. Some can be sheer, but the blackout shades can get more dense.”
Colors: Wide range, from sheer to blackout
Price: Starts at approximately $200 for a standard 36-by-36-inch window
Faux-wood slat blinds
“What’s nice about this is the price is really great on them for what you’re getting,” Linnell said. “They’re not going to warp or change color in the sun, which is, again, important because you’re in Colorado. They’re also water-resistant, so they’re good in bathrooms or high-humidity areas, like by the kitchen sink.”
Color: Traditional wood hues
Price: Starts at approximately $75 for a standard 36-by-36-inch window
Traditional wood slat blinds
“Traditional wood blinds are lightweight, which can be very helpful depending on how large the window is,” Linnell said. “That’s what a lot of people are looking for with slat-style blinds. They don’t want to have to raise or lower it every day, but they do want light coming in.”
Color: Wide range
Price: Starts at approximately $100 for a standard 36-by-36-inch window
Blackout shades
Blackout shades that block the transfer of light come in a variety of styles.
“The most common are the cellular and the Roman shade, which is all fabric and a little more feminine looking,” Linnell said. “Often, we’ll put a liner behind the actual fabric (on a Roman shade) and that liner then provides the blackout. We make it the right size for the window to make sure no light gets in on the sides.”
Color: Wide range
Price: Starts at approximately $300 for a standard 36-by-36-inch window
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Contact Earls: 636-0364