Blinds vs Curtains: Which Are More Budget Friendly?

When it comes to choosing window treatments for your home, you may be wondering whether blinds or curtains are more budget friendly. Both options have their pros and cons, and the cost may vary depending on the type, size, quality, and installation of the window treatments. In this blog post, I’ll compare the costs of blinds and curtains and help you decide which one is more suitable for your budget.

What are the costs of blinds?

Blinds are window treatments that consist of horizontal or vertical slats that can be adjusted to control the amount of light and privacy in a room. Blinds come in different materials, such as wood, vinyl, aluminum, or fabric, and different styles, such as mini blinds, roller blinds, venetian blinds, or zebra blinds.

The cost of blinds depends on several factors, such as:

• The material: Plastic blinds are usually the cheapest option, while wood and high-quality vinyl blinds are more expensive. The material also affects the durability and maintenance of the blinds.
• The size: The larger the window, the more material and labor are required to install the blinds. Custom-made blinds may also cost more than ready-made ones.
• The style: Some styles of blinds are more complex and require more mechanisms and hardware than others. For example, zebra blinds have two layers of fabric that can create different light effects, while mini blinds have simple slats that can be tilted or raised.
• The installation: Installing blinds may require measuring, drilling, and attaching brackets and rods to the wall or window frame. Some homeowners may choose to install the blinds themselves, while others may hire a professional installer.

The average cost of installing blinds ranges from $212 to $1,200, with an average price of $700. The cost per window can vary from $20 to $170, depending on the type and size of the blinds.

What are the costs of curtains?

Curtains are window treatments that consist of fabric panels that hang from a rod or a track above the window. Curtains come in different fabrics, such as cotton, linen, silk, or velvet, and different styles, such as sheer curtains, blackout curtains, or thermal curtains.

The cost of curtains depends on several factors, such as:

• The fabric: The fabric affects the quality, appearance, and functionality of the curtains. Lighter fabrics like cotton or sheer curtains are usually cheaper than heavier fabrics like velvet or blackout curtains. The fabric also affects the cleaning and maintenance of the curtains.
• The size: The larger the window, the more fabric and labor are required to make and install the curtains. Custom-made curtains may also cost more than ready-made ones.
• The style: Some styles of curtains are more elaborate and require more accessories and hardware than others. For example, pleated curtains have folds that create a formal look, while tab-top curtains have loops that create a casual look.
• The installation: Installing curtains may require measuring, drilling, and attaching rods or tracks to the wall or ceiling. Some homeowners may choose to install the curtains themselves, while others may hire a professional installer.

The average cost of installing curtains ranges from $50 to $200 per window, depending on the type and size of the curtains. The cost per panel can vary from $15 to $230, depending on the fabric and style of the curtains.

Blinds vs Curtains: Which are more budget friendly?

Based on the average costs mentioned above, it seems that blinds are generally cheaper than curtains when it comes to window treatments. However, this may not be true for every case. Depending on your preferences and needs, you may find that curtains are more budget friendly than blinds in some situations.

• If you have small windows or standard-sized windows that can fit ready-made blinds or curtains easily, you may find that blinds are cheaper than curtains. Blinds require less material and time to manufacture and install than curtains, and you can find many affordable options in the market. Curtains, on the other hand, require more material and time to make and install than blinds, and you may have to pay more for high-quality fabrics or custom-made sizes.
• If you have large windows or irregular-shaped windows that require custom-made blinds or curtains, you may find that curtains are cheaper than blinds. Blinds can be more expensive to customize and install than curtains, as they require more mechanisms and hardware to fit the window shape and size. Curtains, on the other hand, can be more flexible and adaptable to different window shapes and sizes, and you can find many fabric options that suit your budget.
• If you have specific needs or preferences for your window treatments, such as light control, energy efficiency, noise reduction, or aesthetics, you may find that either blinds or curtains are cheaper than the other. Blinds can offer more light control options and are easier to clean and maintain than curtains, but they may not be as energy efficient or noise reducing as curtains. Curtains can offer more design possibilities and are more energy efficient and noise reducing than blinds, but they may not offer as much light control options and are harder to clean and maintain than blinds.

Comparison chart

To help you compare the costs of blinds and curtains more easily, here is a comparison chart that summarizes the main points:

Conclusion

Blinds and curtains are both popular window treatments that can enhance your home’s appearance and functionality. However, they have different costs depending on various factors, such as the material, size, style, and installation of the window treatments. Depending on your preferences and needs, you may find that either blinds or curtains are more budget friendly than the other.

To decide which one is more suitable for your budget, you should consider the following questions:

• How big are your windows and what shape are they?
• What kind of light control do you need for your room?
• How important is energy efficiency and noise reduction for you?
• What style and color do you prefer for your window treatments?
• How much time and money are you willing to spend on cleaning and maintaining your window treatments?

By answering these questions, you can narrow down your options and choose the best window treatments for your home.

Dale

Dale is the colorful mind behind HuetifulHomes.com, where he shows you how to create a home that is as fun and fabulous as you are. He has a passion for color and a knack for DIY, with years of interior design experience he shares his tips and tricks on how to create a home that reflects your personality and style. He believes that color is the key to happiness, and he wants to help you make your home more Huetiful.