BLACK FRIDAY: Use Promo Code FLASH 24 with Select Products. Shop Now
FREE Standard Delivery on all +$49* purchases Learn more
November 14 to 15 SAVE MORE ! Get up to 150$* off with the code: PROMO1415 Shop Now
Holidays Are Coming: Find the Perfect Gift Today! Shop Now
RONA CELEBRATING 85 YEARS! Celebrate & Shop Now!
RÉNO-DÉPÔT is Now RONA+ Learn more
NEW! Discover our Tilley Tuff workwear brand Shop Now
November 11: 10% discount for military personnel and veterans - In-store only. Find a store
Back
Popular categories
Departments
Back
Promotions All our offers
Back
Flyer
Back
DIY Projects & Ideas DIY Projects & Ideas
Back
Installation Services Project type

Share

Published on November 24, 2023

Buying guide

Choose the Right Window Covering (Blinds, Stores, and More)

Window coverings not only enhance the look of room but also contribute to insulating your home and enhancing privacy. All you need to know about blinds, shades, curtains, drapes, sheers, and valances is here in this guide!

Before You Start

Window coverings play an essential part in controlling lighting, temperature, and noise levels as well as increasing privacy. While the look and style of your window treatments are key features to consider, their practical characteristics are just as important. Before choosing any type of window covering, it’s important to identify your needs, know what options you have and which models and materials are best suited to the room in question.
SHOP WINDOW COVERINGS

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Window Treatment

Before choosing a window treatment to enhance your decor, you will need to consider a few important factors:

  • Room: It’s important to choose the right type of window covering for the space. In rooms with high humidity, such as the bathroom or kitchen, go for moisture-resistant materials. In bedrooms, lined or blackout curtains or shades are ideal to block daylight.
  • Degree of privacy: Every room of the house requires a different degree of privacy. Opaque shades or curtains will obviously provide much more privacy than simple sheer panels.
  • Noise: If the window faces a busy street, it may be a good idea to use insulated curtains, which are specially lined to absorb sound.
  • Ambiance: Use different types of window treatments to personalize your home decor. For example, Japanese panels help create a minimalist, modern look, while pleated drapes are well suited to a traditional-style decor.
  • Mobility: French windows or patio doors call for a window covering that can be opened and closed easily. In this case, vertical blinds (among others) would be a good option, but curtains with bow-tie tabs would not be practical.
  • Colour: Pale colours will make a room seem larger. Darker colours will help create a more secluded, intimate ambiance.
  • Window orientation: South-facing windows receive the sun’s UV rays all day long, which can cause damage to fabrics. Windows facing north receive very little sunlight; in these areas, curtains, or shades in bright or sunny hues will add warmth to the decor.
Kitchen with white faux wood horizontal blinds
Kitchen with white day-night blinds

Blinds and Shades

A timeless and arguably essential feature of contemporary homes, blinds and shades are as popular and stylish as ever. Mounted inside or outside the window frame, they come in many styles and materials to transform your space.

Horizontal Blinds

Horizontal blinds can be raised or lowered fully or partially. They are available in a variety of materials, including wood, faux wood, vinyl, aluminium, and fabric.

Vertical Blinds

Ideal for wide windows and patio doors, vertical blinds are available in a wide variety of materials, such as wood, faux wood, plastic and even some fabrics, which allow more light through.

Roller Shades

Roller shades are a budget-friendly, modern, and easy-to-maintain choice. They are available in a wide range of fabrics, from translucent to opaque, depending on the desired level of privacy and light. Open or close by pulling the shade itself or a chain.

Cellular Shades

Cellular shades are made of a semi-opaque fabric that gently filters natural light while offering privacy. Cordless operation makes it a safe choice for homes with pets and small children.

Roman Shades

Roman shades have cascading pleats that give a traditional and sophisticated look and feel to the room. They are available in a wide selection of textiles and fabrics, from vinyl to luxurious silks.

Solar Shades

Providing excellent thermal insulation, solar shades filter UV rays, while letting natural light in. You can look outside the window, even when they’re closed. 

Day-Night Blinds

Day-Night blinds (also called “zebra blinds”) have a dual design that both filters light and darkens the room. Simply lift and lower the fabric to achieve the desired position and light control.
Illustrations about how to measure a window before buying new blinds

Take the Right Measurements for Blinds and Shades

Here's how to get the measurements right before buying new blinds or shades:

Vertical Blinds

Horizontal Blinds
(and Shades)

Mounting Inside Window Frame

Note: Deduct about ¼" from your measurements if you do not want the shades to touch the window frame.

  1. Measure the width of the window inside the frame (at the top only).
  2. Measure the height of the window inside the frame (on the left, in the centre, and on the right). Record the shortest measurement.
  1. Measure the width of the window inside the frame (at the top, in the centre, and at the bottom). Record the shortest measurement.
  2. Measure the height of the window inside the frame (on the left, in the centre, and on the right). Record the longest measurement.

Mounting Outside Window Frame

Note: If the blinds go down to the floor, deduct ½" from your measurement to account for the floor covering.

  1. Measure the exterior width of the window frame. Add about 6-8".
  2. Measure the height down to the lowest point that you want the blinds to reach. Add 3”.
  1. Measure the exterior width of the window frame. Add about 3”.
  2. Measure the height down to the lowest point that you want the blinds to reach. Add 3”.
Curtain in a modern dining room

Curtains, Drapes, and Sheers

Curtains, drapes, and sheers can be used in a variety of ways to dress up a room. Opaque, transparent, dark-coloured, or pale, their style sets the tone for the room’s decor.

There are 2 popular types: 

  • Thermal, Insulated, or Blackout Curtains: They block out light, noise, and cold, providing excellent privacy. They are the best option for bedrooms.
  • Sheer Curtains: Transparent and decorative, they afford privacy while letting daylight through. Ideal for the dining room or living room. 

Different curtain headings require different types of rods or hanging systems:

  • Tabs, loops, or bow ties
  • Grommets and rings
  • Pencil pleats or gathers
  • Goblet or Flemish pleats
  • Rod pocket
There is a vast selection of curtain fabrics. Patterned fabrics can look great in a neutral decor or against plain walls. Plain fabrics help create a calm, restful ambience.

The most popular fabrics and materials include polyester, jacquard, linen, satin, organza, velvet, sheer, voile, net, strings, fringes, and beads.

There are no set rules on the length of curtains—it’s up to you to decide, according to their purpose and/or decorative role. Full-length curtains will make a room feel cozier and more private, whereas shorter, window-length curtains are often well suited to a modern-style space.
Mosaic of curtain rods and poles

Curtain Rods, Poles, and Rails

Take into account the width, weight and style of your curtains when choosing the appropriate curtain rod, pole, or rail.

  • Curtain pole: Robust and especially suitable for heavy or lined (insulated) drapes.
  • Flat curtain rod: Ideal for sheers.
  • Curtain or drapery track: Can be used to hang more than one set of curtains, e.g., to layer curtains and sheers.
  • Track rail: Made of metal or aluminium, can be used for curtains but also for Japanese panel shades. The shades glide easily on the track.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT CURTAIN RODS AND DRAPERY HARDWARE

Valances and Pelmets

Valances (usually made from fabric) and pelmets (often made of wood and more imposing) add a finished look to window coverings. While they are not essential, they can be an attractive and versatile way to conceal the top of existing curtains or blinds.

Designer Tip

Who says curtains are only for windows? They can be used to conceal open storage or as a room divider!

Suggested Products

SHOP WINDOW COVERINGS

You may also like

9 door and window maintenance tips

9 door and window maintenance tips

Our vast array of curtains

will make the competition climb the walls

stores

Open up a world of possibilities

with our selection of doors and windows