You might have seen windows with blinds inside of them in some new homes or remodels. Blinds outside the glass have traditionally been the way to go for most homes. But is there any advantage to having blinds inside the glass?
Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of built in blinds, also known as between-glass blinds.
Built in blinds: the pros
Not too many customers are asking for these yet, but they’re definitely an option for any new construction or retrofit.
There are a few reasons you’d go with these between-glass blinds. First, they don’t get dusty. Because the blinds are in the air gap between the inside and outside panes of glass, there’s no way for dust to get in.
They’re also easier to clean, because you don’t have to get around the blinds while you’re trying to clean the window. And they don’t get damaged as easily as regular window blinds, which often need fairly frequent replacement (especially with little children in the house).
There’s another point about children, too: these windows avoid the choking hazard of a blind cord, which is a concern for many parents. Instead of a cord they operate with a magnetic slider or a motor.
Finally, one of the biggest applications we see these windows used for is doors that open to the outside. Regular blinds smack against the door every time it’s opened and closed, but internal blinds will avoid this problem.
Built in blinds: the cons
There are some reasons why you might not want to use between-glass blinds in your windows, too.
The first reason is cost. Between-glass blinds in windows tend to cost $100 or more extra per window compared to regular windows, which can put your pocketbook in a bit of a pinch if you’re doing several at a time. Some may opt for traditional windows and blinds just to save a little money.
They can also be less energy efficient than traditional windows depending on design. Traditional windows insert a neutral gas like argon between the inner and outer window panes, creating an air gap that insulates a house more effectively than a single pane. Many windows with between-glass blinds don’t have this feature. You can get windows with an extra pane that do, but they’re not as common and may cost more.
You might have a little less selection in terms of design options, too. Traditional blinds come in a huge variety of forms, colors and shapes. If you want more options it’s easier to get them with traditional blinds.
Though windows with between-glass blinds have a lot of things going for them, they’re not for everybody. If you’re not sure which windows you want to put in your house, contact us—we’ll help you make the right choice for your home.