Privacy and Window Fashions

At Altra Home Décor serving the greater Phoenix area, our customers have many features to understand when they begin to shop for new window treatments. Whether you’re beginning your search or you’ve already begun to narrow your options, speak with one of our representatives to understand the features and benefits that will be most important to you.

What Level of Window Treatments Privacy Is Right for You?

When you start on your search for new window treatments, remember that look and beauty is important, but make sure your selection will be able to meet your level of privacy and security concerns. Also, know whether you want full or partial view to the outside. Not all window treatments offer the same level of privacy or options, so you need to understand the differences.

Window Shades

Shades are considered “lifters.” They either raise or lower to provide full view-through to the outside or privacy. Shades come in the largest color palette available in of all the window treatment categories and in the full range of opacities, from light-filtering to blackout. Perfect for homes that may want blackout shades in the bedrooms, semi-opaque shades in the front room, and semi-sheer or sheer shades to filter light for back of the house. Shade collection includes:

• Honeycomb or Cellular Shades
• Roman Shades
• Woven Wood Shades
• Roller or Screen Shades

Window Blinds

Blinds are considered “tilters.” They can be lifted, but for the most part, just the slats are usually tilted open or closed, providing the right amount of light and privacy desired. They add a level of interest at the window and come in aluminum, wood, and vinyl, as well as a variety of paint stains and slat sizes. Blind collection includes:

• Wood, Faux Wood, and Poly Blinds
• Aluminum Blinds

Plantation Shutters

Shutters are a different animal but are considered “tilters” too. The louvers can be tilted open or closed, and the panels can be swung open for full view-through. But mostly shutters are considered fine furniture for your windows and add value to your home. They are available in wood, faux wood and vinyl materials in a variety of paints, stains, and louver sizes.

If Privacy Is Not an Issue

Anything goes! This opens your selection to what appeals to your eye and décor. Maybe you are looking to add a little color or interest to the room, filter out harmful UV rays, or more. Think about how much view you want and if you are interested in lifting or tilting. Honeycomb and screen shades always a great option because of the variety of opacity options. Wood blinds are another good choice because you can control the light by tilting the vanes and add riches to the window.

Semi-Privacy

Depending where you live and what direction the windows face, semi-opaque honeycomb shades or woven woods may just be what you are looking for. They help maintain light levels while ensuring that people can’t see in, such as at the front of a house. Wood blinds or screen shades may be a great option for the back of the house where view is more important but you also want to control the amount of light coming in.

Complete Privacy

If you want total privacy, there is no better window treatment on the market today than honeycomb blackout shades. They truly block out 100% of the sun (although if you want no light gap on the sides, remember to mount them on the outside or add drapery panels on each side). Also woven woods or Roman shades with a fabric liner would be another good option. If you want to tilt open, consider wood blinds with de-Light™ feature, which eliminates the rout holes, or custom shutters.

Find the Right Privacy Level in the Phoenix and Peoria, Arizona Area

Altra Home Décor is your source for window treatments, custom drapery, flooring, and more! We serve the greater Phoenix area, including Peoria, Sun City West, Anthem, Buckeye, Glendale, and Scottsdale, with a showroom in Surprise. Stop by our locally owned store to view our full-size window treatment displays and sample books. Contact us today to schedule an in-home design consultation!