Types of Window Treatments: Get to Know the Top 9

Before you start your interior design project, it’s important to learn about the types of window treatments available. From blinds to draperies, each style offers unique benefits for privacy, light control, and home energy efficiency. Let’s explore the top 9 types of window coverings and find which fits your Denver-area home best.

Window Treatment Categories

Window treatments are used to provide privacy, light control, and energy efficiency. They also bring style and elegance to your home. Most offerings can fit into one of the 9 types of window treatment categories found below.  

  • Roller Shades
  • Roman Shades
  • Draperies
  • Sheer Shades
  • Blinds
  • Vertical Window Coverings
  • Woven Shades
  • Plantation Shutters
  • Honeycomb Shades

These are the most popular window treatment styles for Colorado homes—each offering different levels of privacy, style, and performance. Today, some of these choices can be combined to create dual functionality for windows. The possibilities are endless.

Roller Shades

Among the 9 types of window treatments, you may be familiar with the roller shade due to its simple design and straightforward function. They have been around for decades. Denver area homeowners are inspired by the style element that rollers bring to homes–and the available upgrades–that make it a popular choice.  

Designer screen shades on living room windows Westminster, CO
Designer Screen Shades

Roller shades are sleek, minimal, and available in light-filtering or blackout fabrics. They’re ideal for bedrooms or media rooms.

Roman Shades

Thousands of years ago, Romans were protecting their homes from dust and heat with cascading fabric at the windows–we know this became Roman Shades. Today, this category of treatments is still widely used in homes for light control, energy savings and privacy. More importantly, they have become a design piece as well. Roman shades are available in patterned fabrics and multiple fold options. They add texture and beauty to any room in the home.

top down bottom up feature on patio door windows in dining room
Vignette® Modern Roman Shades on floor to ceiling windows

Roman shades combine timeless elegance with modern performance. Available in custom fabrics, they can provide insulation, privacy, and a high-end designer look.

Draperies 

Another type of window treatment that has evolved are draperies. Drawn closed, you have complete privacy; when opened, quick access to the window. Now with a large variety of fabrics in varying opacities, draperies can be sheer, reducing glare while providing light-filtering or room darkening.

design studio custom window treatments fabric roman shades with side drapery panels Westminster
Custom Draperies & Roller Shades

Draperies frame the window beautifully and add softness to your space. Whether you choose sheer or blackout fabrics, custom draperies bring elegance and energy efficiency to your home. You may also consider using stationary drapes as side panels to flank windows. This will elevate the style of your room and complete the look.

Sheer Shades

Sheer shades work wonders if it’s filtered light you need. Sheers are an incredible way to bring a bright, dreamlike feel to your Denver area home. You can either enjoy the view or close it off by adjusting the vanes within the treatments.

Shades with SoftTouch® Centennial, CO
Silhouette® Shades with SoftTouch® Motorization

Sheer shades diffuse natural light while maintaining privacy, making them perfect for living rooms or offices. They’re also available with motorization for added convenience.

Window Blinds

This familiar type of window treatment category comes in several colors and sizes to best suit your window style preference. Blinds are a client favorite, offering light control and privacy while adding a coordinated look to your home. Blinds are available in wood, vinyl, and composite materials, perfect for all your window covering needs.

aluminum blinds on floor to ceiling windows in home with vaulted ceiling
Modern Precious Metals® Aluminum Blinds

Blinds remain a go-to choice for their clean lines and adjustable light control. Available in wood, faux wood, or aluminum, they can fit any window size or home style.

Vertical Blinds & Shades

The best choice for sliding doors and large windows, verticals move in the same direction as your slider does-sliding sideways on a track. Many homeowners like the idea of vertical blinds and shades because they come in a range of materials, like wood, fabric or vinyl. Their slats adjust to control the light and privacy.

interior of living room space floor to ceiling window and modern armchairs in Park Meadows, CO
Cadence® Vertical Blinds

Vertical shades are offered in a wide range of materials, such as woven fabrics, cellular shades, and patterned materials. It’s easy to solve common window issues with shades, you have lots of options, like room darkening fabrics, energy efficiency and motorization. 

sliding window treatments for doors in southwestern decor living room overlooking pool in Denver, CO
Duette® with Vertiglide® & Sonnette® Shades

Vertical blinds and shades are ideal for sliding glass doors or expansive windows common in Colorado homes. With materials from fabric to wood, they add both function and beauty.

Woven Shades

Perfect for adding beauty to your home through window treatments, woven woods are made from natural materials. The collection includes elements of reeds, wood, grasses, and bamboo with multiple color variants to add texture to your space.

woven woods fabrics on window in Denver CO home
Provenance® Woven Woods

 

green child safe woven wood shades in child's bedroom Cherry Creek CO
Provenance® Woven Woods

Woven wood shades are eco-friendly and made from natural materials like bamboo and grasses. They add texture and warmth to any room while filtering natural light beautifully.

Plantation Shutters

Today’s shutters are designed with incredible innovative features for the modern home. They come in wood, vinyl, or composite with louvers that open and close. The hidden tilt feature opens up your view to the outdoors by removing the front tilt bar. For classic elegance, plantation shutters are designed to look built-in and our Palm Beach shutters can be fitted with motorization. Always a client favorite. 

Hunter Douglas thermal shutters
Heritance® Hardwood Shutters

Plantation shutters offer timeless style and lasting durability. Custom-fit for your windows, they enhance curb appeal and interior comfort.

Honeycomb Shades

Known for their incredible energy efficiency, honeycomb shades feature a uniquely shaped cell to trap air in and keep your home comfortable all year. They will insulate windows in your Denver area home and look great in the process.

vertical view of honeycomb shade detail
Duette® Honeycomb Shades

In addition, the uniform pleats offer a continually organized look, while modern innovation makes these treatments an award-winning choice.

energy efficient cellular shades in a living room Westminster CO
Applause® Honeycomb Shades

Honeycomb shades, also known as cellular shades, are a top pick for Denver homeowners looking to reduce energy costs. Their insulating design keeps rooms comfortable year-round.

At Rocky Mountain Shutters and Shades, we’ll help you choose the perfect window treatments for your home. Whether you visit our Denver or Centennial showroom, or schedule an in-home consultation, you can get expert design advice and a free quote today! We understand that no home is exactly like the next, so we offer custom solutions for your unique windows. Come in for a FREE consultation today!