Difference Between Blinds and Curtains: Which One Fits Your Window?

Blinds vs Curtains Compared

How Much Do Blinds Cost Per Window?

Here is what a 36 by 60 inch window costs in each Value Blinds style, using the regular price listed on each product page at the time of this update, before sale discounts:

Prices are for the base lift option and change with size, color, and add-ons such as motorization. For an inside mount, check the minimum frame depth listed on each product page before you order.

To compare curtains on the same window, price every part you need: the number of panels to cover the width, the rod or track, brackets, and any blackout lining. Custom-made curtains and motorized tracks add to that total.

Which Gives Better Light Control and Privacy?

Blinds give you control in steps. Tilt slatted blinds partly closed and light still enters while people outside cannot see in. Zebra shades do the same with alternating sheer and solid bands. Our cellular shades come in light filtering and blackout options, so you choose the light level when you order.

Curtains work closer to on or off, and they need wall space beside the window to stack when open. For daytime privacy with curtains, you need a sheer layer behind the main panels.

For a bedroom that must go dark, a blackout blind or shade mounted inside the frame still lets light leak around its edges, and a curtain that extends past the frame covers those gaps. That is the main case for using both. See our blackout collection and our guide to light filtering vs blackout.

Do Blinds or Curtains Insulate Better?

Slatted blinds do little to insulate a window. The U.S. Department of Energy says blinds do not provide much insulation, although they block some direct sun.

Cellular shades are the exception. In a Department of Energy test home, cellular shades saved up to 20 percent of heating energy and up to 15 percent of total heating and cooling energy compared with no window covering.

Curtains fall in between, and the result depends on the fabric. A heavy, lined curtain that closes tight to the wall holds in more heat than a light, unlined one. If energy savings are the goal, browse our energy-efficient collection or pair cellular shades with curtains.

Cleaning and Care

Blinds stay up while you clean them. Dust slats with a microfiber cloth or a vacuum brush, and wipe faux wood and aluminum with a damp cloth. Our blind cleaning guide covers each material. For homes with young children, choose a cordless or motorized lift; our guide to corded vs cordless blinds explains the safety rules.

Curtains come down to clean. How you wash them depends on the fabric, so check the care label before you wash.

When to Use Both

Pairing blinds and curtains gives you the control of one and the coverage of the other:

• Bedrooms: a blackout shade inside the frame for darkness, curtains outside it to cover the edge gaps

• Living rooms: zebra or roller shades for daytime light, curtains for evening softness

• Large windows and sliding doors: shades for privacy, curtains to frame the opening

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main difference between blinds and curtains?

Blinds mount at the window and tilt or roll to set an exact level of light and privacy. Curtains are fabric panels hung from a rod that slide open or closed.

Are blinds cheaper than curtains?

It depends on the window and the curtain parts you need. The six blind and shade styles in our cost table run from about $360 to $435 for a 36 by 60 inch window at regular price. Price the panels, rod, brackets, and lining for the same window to compare.

Which is better for privacy, blinds or curtains?

Blinds, if you want privacy with light. Angled slats block the view while light still enters. Curtains give full privacy only when fully closed.

Do blinds or curtains insulate better?

Slatted blinds insulate very little. Cellular shades insulate much better than slatted blinds, and lined curtains help when they close tightly to the wall.

Can you use blinds and curtains together?

 Yes. A shade inside the frame controls light, and curtains outside the frame add coverage at the edges and a softer look.