Challenging Designs
Your windows may be just right for your room and decorating style. But there are times when you'll have to make up for your window's shortcomings with the way you cover it. Typical problems include unattractive windows or windows out of proportion to their room - they're either too short and wide, too tall and narrow, or too small. Unattractive window or view Consider using an outside mounted shade or blind with a fabric over-treatment to obscure the window. Short and wide windows A great way to add height to a short window is to mount a top treatment, such as a cornice or valance, above the opening. You can also add side panels, made long enough to drape to the floor, to change the perceived height and width. Tall and narrow windows Cornices and panels can be used to make a narrow window appear wider. Mount your blind or shade inside the window frame, then add a cornice mounted just outside the window - and ordered approximately 20" wider on each side than required. Mount a rod underneath the cornice and add fabric panels to either side. Small windows Make small windows appear larger with outside mounted shades or blinds. You can also use fabric panels and top treatments mounted around the edges of the window to make it appear larger. Unusually shaped windows Today's new homes feature more and more unusually shaped windows. Circles, arches, triangles, and skylights are common but can be difficult to treat. Duette shades are available in custom-made shapes to properly cover your window. If privacy or light control are not a major problem, consider leaving them uncovered or apply window film to cut heat and glare.

Selecting A Window Treatment
There are a lot of window treatment choices available to you. However, you'll find that it's pretty easy to choose when you know what to consider. Successful window treatment solutions address both design and functional needs at the same time. Each section below is designed to help you ask the right questions - and get the answers you need - to select the best window treatments for you.

By Functional Need
Window treatments are not just decorative, they're functional as well. Spend a little time thinking about what you need from them in each room and you'll find it easier to choose. The most common functional needs are discussed in each section below. Most treatments can meet more than one of these needs.

Privacy & Light Control
Privacy In bedrooms, bathrooms and rooms facing the street or close neighbors, it's important to choose a treatment that is private. Most blinds and shades are private, but some materials may not be. You may be able to make the material private - for example, adding a privacy liner to natural shades or fabric treatments makes them completely private. A honeycomb shade with a top down/bottom up option lets you open the shade at the top for light or a view, but cover the bottom for privacy. Light control When furnishing home offices or rooms with televisions, pick treatments that offer the most light control latitude, such as blinds or shutters. You can adjust the amount of light admitted easily as the day goes on. For bedrooms or nurseries, consider shades made from room-darkening materials; fabric shades made with blackout liners, honeycomb shades, or some roller shades are good options. In a room which seems dark, consider a sheer fabric treatment or roller shade. A light-diffusing honeycomb or pleated shade is also a good bet. There are privacy and light control ratings for most products on our site.

Climate Control & Noise Absorption
Climate control The right window treatment can make a big difference in heating and cooling bills. Honeycomb shades are the best solution for reducing heat transfer - up to 70% - and they're also beautiful. Wood shutters, heavy fabric treatments, and wood blinds are also good. Blocking harsh sun rays, especially for large windows and patio doors, is important to reduce cooling bills and prevent sun damage. Consider a Vertiglide™ cellular shade or vertical blinds for these areas, and keep treatments closed when the sun is strongest. There are insulation ratings for most products on our site.

Noise absorption Window treatments can also reduce sound transmitted through windows. If you have a problem with noisy neighbors, consider the Duette® Ultima 3 shade - it has our best sound absorption rating. Other honeycomb shades, shutters, and lined fabric treatments also work well to reduce sound transmission.

View & Outside Appearance
View Your view may be something you want to embrace - or block. To block a view, choose treatments with complete privacy and consider mounting them outside your windows. To let in a beautiful view, choose sheer treatments or treatments that open completely. Honeycomb and pleated shades stack thinly when drawn open, so your view won't be obstructed. Transparent roller shades and sheer fabric panels are some other options. Uniform outside appearance Some homeowner associations require that window treatments look uniform from the street. Plus, often it just looks cleaner to have the same color backside on windows facing the street. That doesn't mean your only choice is white! Many treatments, such as natural shades and fabric treatments, can be lined. Or choose a treatment with a white backside, such as 2" vinyl blinds, honeycomb shades and some roller shades. Fabric vertical blind vanes can be inserted into channels with a white backing.

Doors
Sliding glass doors Sliding glass doors are a great way to let light and air into your home. Choose a treatment that lets you control light, but is also very easy to operate. Fabric panels are a popular choice - if you're not concerned about privacy or sunlight, sheer panels will really open up your room. Vertical blinds are a great solution because they allow complete light control and operate very easily. French doors For French doors that open inward, your treatment must be mounted to the door and you'll need clearance for handles. Choose blinds with small slat sizes for the best appearance, such as a 1" wood blind or a ½" metal blind. You can use the small slat size on the door even if other windows use a larger slat. Pleated shades or small cell honeycomb shades are also good choices.

Skylights & special shapes
Skylights Beautiful skylights can often cause heat or glare problems. Consider Duette® Skylight shades if you need light control. These fantastic shades are available in a variety of materials to match your energy and light control needs. And they stack trimly when drawn open to provide maximum light when you want it. Special shapes Many homes have windows in arch, circle, angle or triangle shapes. These are usually left uncovered as architectural features, but you may need to cover them. Duette® shades can be custom-made to fit these special shapes without hiding them, so you'll retain the design feature while getting the function you need.