[2022] Blinds or Curtains: Which One Works Best For Your Singapore HDB Flat?

Blinds For Your HDB Flat

Blinds have been gaining popularity in recent years, particular the Venetian blinds.  There are a variety of different indoor window blinds in a variety of styles and colours, you’d definitely find something you like  for any room and décor. They come in different price range, making them a popular choice for HDB homes.

Styles and colours

Roller blinds are one of the most popular options out of all. The biggest advantage being its versatility and extensive choices of styles, they are durable and easier to clean, making them a good choice if you want something sleek and modern, yet low maintenance.  

Privacy and light control

Venetian blinds are a good option when it comes to controlling privacy and light. The horizontal slats on venetian blinds can be adjusted by tilting the slats or raising them up and down to control the amount of light coming into your home.

Disadvantage on manual blinds

For manual operated venetian blinds, the horizontal slats have cords attached to one another so that when you pull on one cord, all others move in unison; yet there is a risk for children or pets who might accidentally get caught up in strings.

It's important to note that not all HDB homes have the same size windows so it may be difficult for you to find a perfect fit if your window is larger than average (this is especially true if you live in an old HDB flat where there may only be one type of measurement available).

Curtains For Your HDB Flat

If you are looking for something that provides high level of privacy, then curtains might just be what your home needs.

Curtains have a long history of use in homes and buildings, dating back to ancient times. Modern curtains are usually made from fabric such as cotton polyester or linen with different patterns, colours and styles; you can also find curtains with unique properties like blackout curtains, soundproofing curtains and even fire retardant curtains.

Curtains offer a lot of flexibility in terms of design and can be made to fit any window size or shape. They also provide some privacy and sound insulation for your home. However, one downside to curtains is that they can be quite expensive, especially if you want custom-made ones with specific material properties.

Sound absorption to keep out neighbourhood noises

One of the main advantages of curtains is that they can provide insulation against noise, making them a good choice for homes with windows that are facing the main road. Curtains also help to keep out the sun's heat, and add a high level of privacy to your home by blocking views from outside.  that they are aesthetically striking 

Layering your curtains adds practicality and beautifies your space

Some of the home owners prefer installing both day and night curtains in their HDB flats. Day curtains are a great way to give your home an elegant, yet comfortable feel. Usually made from lightweight materials, day curtains are great for bedrooms, living rooms and dining areas because they diffuse the harsh rays that enter your home during day time. These lightweight materials allow natural light in while blocking out eye-searing glare from outside sources such as direct sunlight or strong artificial lights. Night curtains, on the other hand, are made of heavyweight and opaque fabric. They are great at blocking out the sun and heat, and they provide privacy which is perfect for bedrooms or living rooms where you may need complete darkness during movie screenings.

Curtain disadvantage

One downside of curtains is that they can be difficult to clean and maintain as dust and dirt can build up on the fabric over time. They also tend to fade in sunlight and may not be suitable for homes with children or pets due to their tendency towards getting dirty quickly. And if you wish to install both day and night curtains for your HDB home, do take note that you will need install 2 curtain tracks instead of 1, which will reduce the spaces in your room. And if you are going to install pelmet, make sure that you have sufficient pelmet spacing to install the 2 tracks.

Motorise Your Window Coverings

If the manual operation of blinds and curtains tires you, consider a motorised system where it provides you the ease of operation, anywhere and anytime with Somfy's smart home automation system. . With a simple voice command or mobile app, you can open and close your blind or curtains to any desired position.

In the harsh climate in Singapore with prolonged heat from the sun, it can harm your furniture and electronics, which in-turn bringing you unwanted replacement costs. If you want to have sunlight in your home at certain times of the day, but want to minimize the aforementioned heat damage, then a motorized blinds or curtain suits you best. The automated smart system gives you easy control over how much sunlight enters your home, and when it can enter.

Our Recommendations

Wirefree Range of Motors - A battery-operated alternative that is quick and easy to install, with no need to pre-wire for a hassle-free solution. It is designed to fit all kinds of curtains and blinds. Wirefree motors from Somfy provides you with the freedom to motorize a variety of window coverings.

Connexoon Window RTS – An intuitive, smart and playful app for curtains and blinds, The Connexoon Window RTS app is compatible with IFTTT- a platform that helps your voice assistant to understand how you'd want your shades activated, and to move them just the way you'd want.

Note that the suggestions above are not exhaustive. Everyone has their own unique home circumstances, so think of this short guide as a mere overview of some possible scenarios in your home. As a rule of thumb, base your ultimate choice on the balancing of style (i.e. home design) and substance (i.e. home functionality).

Conclusion

Curtains are a popular choice for HDB homes as they are easy to install. They also provide insulation against noise and drafts, and can add privacy to your home by blocking views from outside. However, curtains can be difficult to clean and maintain as dust and dirt can build up on the fabric over time. They also tend to fade in sunlight.

Blinds are a good choice if you want something low maintenance as they are more durable and easier to clean than curtains. However, they don't provide as much insulation against noise and drafts as curtains do.

So which one is better for your HDB flat in Singapore? If you want something that's low maintenance and easy to clean, then blinds are the way to go. However if insulation against noise or high level of privacy is an utmost important aspect for you, we would recommend getting curtains instead.