3 Best Window Treatments for People With Allergies and Best Design Options

Do you find yourself sneezing a lot without actually feeling sick and weak? You might be experiencing seasonal allergies—and you’re not alone. While it’s comforting to know that you’re not actually getting bogged down by the onslaught of the flu season, allergies can still cause extreme discomfort, such as difficulty breathing.

There’s no shortage of anti-allergy medication, but they’re no match for constant environmental triggers. No matter how many pills you take, you’re still at risk of an allergic reaction if you’re constantly exposed to allergens such as pollen, along with drastic shifts in weather conditions. That’s why the best thing you can do is evaluate your environment: what’s causing your allergies, and how can you limit exposure to them?

Common allergens like pollen are associated with the outdoors, and even then, they can make their way into your home. Combined with the layer of dust accumulated on furniture and linens since your last cleaning, it won’t be long before you get the sniffles. That’s why the best thing to do is keep them out with easy to clean, hypoallergenic window treatments. Here are the best fabric-free options for allergy-free window treatments that don’t trap dust and mites:

1. Shutters

Shutters are completely fabric-free and made of natural wood, vinyl, and PVC—all of these are simple to clean with a quick wipe of the cloth. These window treatments are also easy to operate, allowing you to open and close the louvers as you please to filter light in and reduce outdoor allergens exposure.

Wood shutters, in particular, are excellent at preventing allergies and filtering them out of your home. That’s because their smooth, natural texture isn’t just aesthetically pleasing and suitable to a range of home interior designs; they also prevent more dust from accumulating. All you need to do is wipe down the louvers using a cloth.

2. Blinds

Similar to shutters, blinds are made of panes or louvers that open and close to filter in light and fresh air with open windows and can be kept completely closed when it’s too bright or cold outside to help ensure comfortable temperatures indoors. Thanks to their fabric-free construction, blinds are easy to clean and allergy-free while offering affordable but highly durable options:

• Wood blinds: add a luxurious touch to any space and provide long-lasting function that’s easy to maintain with a quick wipe using a microfiber cloth.

• Vertical blinds: designed to close vertically over tall windows for utmost privacy and light control, these window treatments typically made of PVC or vinyl are simple to clean using a vacuum, duster or wiped down with a washcloth to remove dust build-up.

• Aluminum blinds: the most durable of blinds, this variety certainly isn’t the most decorative or stylish, but adds a sturdy, industrial touch to any place and is low maintenance. Simply use a damp cloth to wipe down the louvers or vacuum them once in a while because they’re very unlikely to attract dust.

• Cellular blinds: these window treatments are perfect for blocking sunlight and instead filter natural light in gently for a soft glow. Thanks to their cellular plastic material, they’re easy to wipe down to prevent allergens from accumulating, and as a bonus, add a much-needed layer of insulation for increased energy efficiency.

3. Shades

These window treatments combine the best of soft fabric with motorized controls for seamless function, allowing you to easily raise or lower them for light filtering, privacy, and insulation.

Their full fabric coverage acts as an effective barrier against the elements so that you can stay comfortable year-round, with a hint of softly glowing natural light and utmost security from prying eyes. The only downside is that they’re made of fabric. While these window treatments shield you from outdoor allergens like dust and pollen, they still tend to cling to the fabric panes.

Don’t discount shades just yet, though. For one, they’re easy to use and maintain so that you can get the best of versatile window design, full window coverage, and insulation without the risk of allergic reactions.

• Roman shades: unlike blinds and shutters, whose louvers need to be wiped down individually, Roman shades can be vacuumed or dusted, especially within their folds where dust can accumulate without regular cleaning.

• Pleated fabric shades: unlike other fabric shades, these are made of non-woven polyester fabric, which is much more resistant to dust and particle build-up. Plus, the cordless option means they’re simple to adjust, so you can easily lower them to shield your home’s interiors from outdoor allergens and clean the pleats with minimal vacuuming.

• Roller shades: hailed as one of the most practical window treatments, these shades are also great at fighting dust build-up thanks to their flat surface that’s easy to wipe or vacuum. Plus, dust can’t settle on them at all when they’re pulled up, so there’s a much lower risk of exposure to allergens.

• Cellular honeycomb shades: named after their honeycomb pattern, these window treatments provide utmost insulation that improves your home’s energy efficiency. Plus, their air pockets are designed to trap polluted air and dust from outside, which reduces your risk of an allergic reaction.

Whether it’s blinds, shutters, or shades, there’s no shortage of stylish, functional, and hypoallergenic window treatments that help create a truly comfortable living space you deserve. Designed for the busy homeowner, these modern window treatments are easy to clean and maintain and provide essential health benefits to ensure your utmost comfort, well-being, and privacy.

To learn more about the best window treatments that prevent pesky sniffles and recurring allergies, call Window Blinds Direct at 647-360-7026, or contact us here for a free in-home estimate.