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The Differences Between Curtains and Blinds
While you are inspired by the images to create your dream home, you might be confused about the differences between curtains and blinds. What makes them different and how can you use them for your rooms? Let us share with you the differences between window curtains and blinds to help you make a better choice.
What Are Curtains?
Curtains commonly come in 2 panel fabrics and are very versatile in designs and styles to fit into most interior. As the come in pairs, they can be open from the left and right and secured with a tie-belt. They are not to be confused by drapes that are commonly used for long windows.
The two main curtain types that we have are day curtains and night curtains.
Day Curtains
Day curtains are sheer curtains that are installed to reduce harsh sunlight coming in while still letting the room be nicely lit up during the day.
Night Curtains
Night curtains are able to block out up to 100% of sunlight depending on what type of night curtains you’ve chosen. Dimout night curtains can block up to 95% of lights while blackout curtains can block out 100%. They make the room dark during the day and at the night, it provides a good night’s rest without light interference. It is especially good for deep sleep and sleeping in!
Basic Installation and Specifications of Curtains
Curtains normally go above the window and can start few inches from the ceiling. Window curtains require the installation of rod or track in order to slide them across the window. Their hanging mechanisms can include hooks, metal or fabric rings, fabric sleeve or metal grommets.
What Are Blinds?
Standard window blinds normally come in horizontal styles and can be lifted up and down; while vertical blinds are usually used for large sliding windows or balcony doors and can be pulled left to right.
The basic mechanisms are to tilt open or close the slats to filter light in; or to lift up or put down the blinds to open your window or allow full daylight in.
Since light and privacy can be controlled with its mechanisms, you are not required to raise the entire blind for daily use unlike curtains. Window blinds also come in various materials such as fabric, PVC, wood, bamboo, vinyl slats, plastic, etc.
Window blinds are most commonly found in schools or office. However, it has gained popularity in residential homes because it provides a sleek look and requires low maintenance.
The window blinds that we supply are:
- Roller blinds (blackout, dimout, perforated)
- Korean combi blinds (dimout, blackout)
- Venetian blinds (PS, aluminium, wooden)
- Roman blinds (dimout, blackout)
- Outdoor blinds
- Zip track blinds
What are The Differences Between Curtains and Blinds?
The purpose of having windows are to allow for natural lighting and fresh air to come into your home. However, being open to natural elements means that you might experience high heat, harsh sunlight or even noise.
Installing curtains or blinds can help to reduce the room’s heat, prevent harsh sunlight from damaging your furniture, provide privacy and can even help to filter out some noise. We talk about the differences between curtains and blinds in terms of their functionality, cost and maintenance.
Functionality of Curtains
Curtains can provide you with privacy and light control. It can also add add an accent to your room with their styles, colours, shapes and prints.
They are also commonly be used as part of a partition for an office, beauty salon, shared room or in-between rooms. Day curtains can filter out harsh sunlight while keeping your home bright. Dimout and blackout curtains can block up to 100% of lights, giving you a good night’s sleep and maximum privacy at home in the evening.
Functionality of Blinds
Each type of blinds have different styles and mechanisms to provide privacy, light blocking and functions. During the day, most blinds can filter lights in while still providing privacy for your home. It can also be used to prevent the room for heating up with Singapore’s heat.
Comparing The Functionality of Curtains And Blinds
Both curtains and blinds offer you better energy conservation as they help to cool your home especially in Singapore. You will be able to consume less electricity towards your air-conditioning.
Curtains can offer very limited control in light filtering if you do not install both layers (day & night). It is also not recommended to open your windows when you have your curtains drawn as it can be blown around by the wind.
Blinds are not too efficient in blocking out lights up to 100% unlike curtains. There will be light leaks on the sides as well as slits (Venetian & Korean blinds). In additionally, some blinds also make a lot of noise when the wind is blowing as it knocks against your wall or window. Only Venetian blinds are suitable for windows to be opened for ventilation.
Cost Differences of Curtains VS Blinds
Curtains
Overall, curtains can cost lesser than blinds depending on your window sizes. In our BTO curtains package, we offer affordable pricing and include complimentary items (tie belt, tie belt hooks). However, some curtains can also be expensive depending on your choice of fabric quality and type.
Blinds
While blinds require lesser maintenance, they can cost higher than curtains due to their material and mechanisms. For blinds, a small window has a minimum order size, while big windows have to be split into multiple blinds which can also increase the cost.
Maintenance of Curtains VS Blinds
Maintenance of Curtains
Curtains can be maintained in various ways such as dusting, vacuuming, dry cleaning, machine wash, hand wash and steam cleaning. For cleaning of curtains, care instructions must be followed to upkeep the appearance and shape of your curtains.
Maintenance of Blinds
Blinds can come in different materials from fabric, PVC to natural wood. Their maintenance methods are slightly different but can all be dusted and wiped clean with a damp cloth. For cleaning of blinds, you can ask our consultants during your appointment or read our guide.
Should You Choose Curtains Or Blinds For Living Room?
Choosing curtains or blinds for your living room or home can be difficult as you see the benefits and differences of both.
Why Curtains?
A dimout curtain can easily make a living room look dark and gloomy during the day but definitely good when there’s a movie party going on. An alternative to curtains in the living room would be to use day curtains. With its sheer fabric, you can filter light while having privacy during the day.
However, we recommend a combination of day curtain and dim-out curtain because it provides you with the versatility of light filter, privacy and block out of lights during the day and night.
Why Blinds?
You can choose to install roller blinds, Korean combi blinds or Venetian blinds in your living room. We don’t recommend blackout roller blinds for living room because it will block out all lights during the day when you need privacy. Korean combi blinds and Venetian blinds are recommended because you can adjust the panels and slats to let in light or for privacy control.
Comparison of Curtains & Blinds
Yes, both curtains and blinds offer light and privacy control. However, blinds can offer more control while allowing natural light to come in. Curtains are not able to do so without blocking a large portion of light unless you are also installing day curtains. That is why we offer free day curtains with dim-out curtains in our HDB BTO packages and Condo packages for your living room.
On the other hand, you can also choose to install both blinds and curtains so you can use it interchangeably during the day with blinds and night with your curtains. The mix of day curtains with blinds can add a soft touch to the room.
Which is Better: Blinds or Curtains?
The benefits of curtains and blinds are highly similar but if you are looking for one that’s easier to clean and simple, we recommend installing window blinds.
If you prefer to add styles or accent to your home or intend to change out curtains frequently while redecorating for the New Year, Chinese New Year, Hari Raya or Deepavali, curtains may be a better choice as it can be costly to change out blinds.
You can also consider to combine the use of:
Day curtains + Dim-out Curtains
Dimout Blinds + Dim-out Curtains
All in all, it will be good for you to consider your overall interior design to see whether curtains and blinds suits it. You can also book an appointment with us so we can recommend the best choice that fits your home.
Where to Get Custom Made Curtains and Blinds?
We hope this guide was helpful in helping you determine whether you want curtains or blinds in your home. To install curtains for your home, check out our curtain packages for HDB BTO and Condo. If you wish to get blinds installation, you can drop us an inquiry via our form or Whatsapp us to get a free no obligation consultation with us!
While you are inspired by the images to create your dream home, you might be confused about the differences between curtains and blinds. What makes them different and how can you use them for your rooms? Let us share with you the differences between window curtains and blinds to help you make a better choice.
What Are Curtains?
Curtains commonly come in 2 panel fabrics and are very versatile in designs and styles to fit into most interior. As the come in pairs, they can be open from the left and right and secured with a tie-belt. They are not to be confused by drapes that are commonly used for long windows.
The two main curtain types that we have are day curtains and night curtains.
Day Curtains
Day curtains are sheer curtains that are installed to reduce harsh sunlight coming in while still letting the room be nicely lit up during the day.
Night Curtains
Night curtains are able to block out up to 100% of sunlight depending on what type of night curtains you’ve chosen. Dimout night curtains can block up to 95% of lights while blackout curtains can block out 100%. They make the room dark during the day and at the night, it provides a good night’s rest without light interference. It is especially good for deep sleep and sleeping in!
Basic Installation and Specifications of Curtains
Curtains normally go above the window and can start few inches from the ceiling. Window curtains require the installation of rod or track in order to slide them across the window. Their hanging mechanisms can include hooks, metal or fabric rings, fabric sleeve or metal grommets.
What Are Blinds?
Standard window blinds normally come in horizontal styles and can be lifted up and down; while vertical blinds are usually used for large sliding windows or balcony doors and can be pulled left to right.
The basic mechanisms are to tilt open or close the slats to filter light in; or to lift up or put down the blinds to open your window or allow full daylight in.
Since light and privacy can be controlled with its mechanisms, you are not required to raise the entire blind for daily use unlike curtains. Window blinds also come in various materials such as fabric, PVC, wood, bamboo, vinyl slats, plastic, etc.
Window blinds are most commonly found in schools or office. However, it has gained popularity in residential homes because it provides a sleek look and requires low maintenance.
The window blinds that we supply are:
- Roller blinds (blackout, dimout, perforated)
- Korean combi blinds (dimout, blackout)
- Venetian blinds (PS, aluminium, wooden)
- Roman blinds (dimout, blackout)
- Outdoor blinds
- Zip track blinds
What are The Differences Between Curtains and Blinds?
The purpose of having windows are to allow for natural lighting and fresh air to come into your home. However, being open to natural elements means that you might experience high heat, harsh sunlight or even noise.
Installing curtains or blinds can help to reduce the room’s heat, prevent harsh sunlight from damaging your furniture, provide privacy and can even help to filter out some noise. We talk about the differences between curtains and blinds in terms of their functionality, cost and maintenance.
Functionality of Curtains
Curtains can provide you with privacy and light control. It can also add add an accent to your room with their styles, colours, shapes and prints.
They are also commonly be used as part of a partition for an office, beauty salon, shared room or in-between rooms. Day curtains can filter out harsh sunlight while keeping your home bright. Dimout and blackout curtains can block up to 100% of lights, giving you a good night’s sleep and maximum privacy at home in the evening.
Functionality of Blinds
Each type of blinds have different styles and mechanisms to provide privacy, light blocking and functions. During the day, most blinds can filter lights in while still providing privacy for your home. It can also be used to prevent the room for heating up with Singapore’s heat.
Comparing The Functionality of Curtains And Blinds
Both curtains and blinds offer you better energy conservation as they help to cool your home especially in Singapore. You will be able to consume less electricity towards your air-conditioning.
Curtains can offer very limited control in light filtering if you do not install both layers (day & night). It is also not recommended to open your windows when you have your curtains drawn as it can be blown around by the wind.
Blinds are not too efficient in blocking out lights up to 100% unlike curtains. There will be light leaks on the sides as well as slits (Venetian & Korean blinds). In additionally, some blinds also make a lot of noise when the wind is blowing as it knocks against your wall or window. Only Venetian blinds are suitable for windows to be opened for ventilation.
Cost Differences of Curtains VS Blinds
Curtains
Overall, curtains can cost lesser than blinds depending on your window sizes. In our BTO curtains package, we offer affordable pricing and include complimentary items (tie belt, tie belt hooks). However, some curtains can also be expensive depending on your choice of fabric quality and type.
Blinds
While blinds require lesser maintenance, they can cost higher than curtains due to their material and mechanisms. For blinds, a small window has a minimum order size, while big windows have to be split into multiple blinds which can also increase the cost.
Maintenance of Curtains VS Blinds
Maintenance of Curtains
Curtains can be maintained in various ways such as dusting, vacuuming, dry cleaning, machine wash, hand wash and steam cleaning. For cleaning of curtains, care instructions must be followed to upkeep the appearance and shape of your curtains.
Maintenance of Blinds
Blinds can come in different materials from fabric, PVC to natural wood. Their maintenance methods are slightly different but can all be dusted and wiped clean with a damp cloth. For cleaning of blinds, you can ask our consultants during your appointment or read our guide.
Should You Choose Curtains Or Blinds For Living Room?
Choosing curtains or blinds for your living room or home can be difficult as you see the benefits and differences of both.
Why Curtains?
A dimout curtain can easily make a living room look dark and gloomy during the day but definitely good when there’s a movie party going on. An alternative to curtains in the living room would be to use day curtains. With its sheer fabric, you can filter light while having privacy during the day.
However, we recommend a combination of day curtain and dim-out curtain because it provides you with the versatility of light filter, privacy and block out of lights during the day and night.
Why Blinds?
You can choose to install roller blinds, Korean combi blinds or Venetian blinds in your living room. We don’t recommend blackout roller blinds for living room because it will block out all lights during the day when you need privacy. Korean combi blinds and Venetian blinds are recommended because you can adjust the panels and slats to let in light or for privacy control.
Comparison of Curtains & Blinds
Yes, both curtains and blinds offer light and privacy control. However, blinds can offer more control while allowing natural light to come in. Curtains are not able to do so without blocking a large portion of light unless you are also installing day curtains. That is why we offer free day curtains with dim-out curtains in our HDB BTO packages and Condo packages for your living room.
On the other hand, you can also choose to install both blinds and curtains so you can use it interchangeably during the day with blinds and night with your curtains. The mix of day curtains with blinds can add a soft touch to the room.
Which is Better: Blinds or Curtains?
The benefits of curtains and blinds are highly similar but if you are looking for one that’s easier to clean and simple, we recommend installing window blinds.
If you prefer to add styles or accent to your home or intend to change out curtains frequently while redecorating for the New Year, Chinese New Year, Hari Raya or Deepavali, curtains may be a better choice as it can be costly to change out blinds.
You can also consider to combine the use of:
Day curtains + Dim-out Curtains
Dimout Blinds + Dim-out Curtains
All in all, it will be good for you to consider your overall interior design to see whether curtains and blinds suits it. You can also book an appointment with us so we can recommend the best choice that fits your home.
Where to Get Custom Made Curtains and Blinds?
We hope this guide was helpful in helping you determine whether you want curtains or blinds in your home. To install curtains for your home, check out our curtain packages for HDB BTO and Condo. If you wish to get blinds installation, you can drop us an inquiry via our form or Whatsapp us to get a free no obligation consultation with us!
