We use to do all blinds and verticals for sliders. And change most of them after every move-out for one reason or another: broken, dusty, old-looking...we charged off to tenant if broken, but dusty and old-looking is on us.

We switched to curtains on the sliders, at least. I can get room-darkening light or dark grey with grommets, 84H x 100W, for $25 or so. Goes with the paint, doesn't show dirt. Since we don't allow smoking anymore smell isn't an issue either. Febreeze is my friend.

They last way longer than blinds. I've had a few curtains up now for YEARS without issue.

We switched to them for energy reasons in some of the spaces but now that blinds are so expensive, I think we will be replacing them with curtains at move time from now on. A bit more expensive at first, but much longer lasting.

The curtain rods will be installed by us, and if Tenant wants to use their own curtains, they won't be messing about with that install.

We always used the cheap blinds too, Roy, but they are not so cheap anymore...and they simply don't last compared to these:

amazon.com/gp/product/B015KMICNE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

NICETOWN Patio Sliding Door Curtain - Wide Blackout Curtains, Keep Warm Draperies, Grey Sliding Glass Door Drapes (Gray, 100 inches W x 84 inches L)

Do you use the type of curtain that uses a cord to open and close or just the type that you pull the curtain one way or the other without a cord to open and close?? If no cord used, is that because it wears out and breaks or because it is more convenient without cord??

Also how often would they become too dusty and require curtains to be cleaned??

Surprisingly, Home Depot. Or Ikea if you can go pick them up.

Here's the Home Depot rod we have used:

homedepot.com/p/Home-Decorators-Collection-36-in-72-in-Mix-and-Match-Telescoping-1-in-Single-Curtain-Rod-in-Gunmetal-U-GM72FOHJ07/206981060

I agree with mini-blinds not being a good value any more.

I'm seriously considering starting to install roller shades, at least in bedrooms, for instant privacy. So they don't need to nail up a towel the first night that stays in place too long. And also curtain rods on all windows that the the tenant can use with their choice of curtains.

For curtains with grommets, is there a standard diameter grommet that fits most rods or is there a standard diameter rod that will fit in most curtain grommets??

The Amazon curtains look great so I ordered 5. I switched to curtains years ago. When I have a turn over I put up the curtains. I use the 64" long one for the smaller windows. Animals and little kids usually can't reach them.

I have found 2 benefits to curtains. They are easier to clean. If the curtains get ruined (stains or ?) the rods rarely get ruined.

I buy the rods at Walmart. I get the heavier ones so the are less likely to get damaged.

We have lots of military who work weird shifts. They greatly prefer the blackout curtains. And they seem to last forever.

I have thinking about the alternatives to mini-blinds for a long time. I have never used curtains, don't know much about them. So if I go to curtains, do you folks recommend a nicer looking fabric or some easier to clean material which is less attractive??

I have all good quality blinds. Cost to clean is $12 and after 3 years I absorb that. Curtains and kids and pets don’t last.

I used to put blinds up. First place had odd sized windows. Got mini blinds, had them custom cut, installed them and the first tenant pulled them off and stuffed them in a closet.

I don't do window coverings at all. seems as soon as I do they want blinds instead of curtains, vice versa or don't like the color or looks of whatever I put up. I let them do their own thing. Most times they leave them for the next tenant which I call a bonus.

I have used curtains for MANY years. I think miniblinds are disgusting. When they are there (few left at this time), I tell the prospective tenants they can keep them or dispose of them but I don't clean, fix or replace. I have curtains over top of them.

We don't provide either curtains or blinds. Here's the first paragraph of one of our rental agreement clauses:

18. TENANT RESPONSIBILITY – GENERAL

Good housekeeping is expected of everyone. Tenants agree to keep quarters clean and in a sanitary condition, and agree to keep both the indoor and outdoor premises clean, tidy, and free of excessive clutter at all times. The Tenants also agree not to permit any deterioration or destruction to occur while they are occupying the property. They agree to maintain the walls, woodwork, floors, furnishings, window treatments, blinds (if any), fixtures and appliances (if any), windows, screens, doors, fences, plumbing, gutters (leaf and debris removal), air-conditioning and heating, electrical and mechanical systems, and landscaping, as well as the general structure and appearance of the property. Windows must be covered with blinds and/or other appropriate window coverings such as curtains or drapes. Blankets, sheets, and other materials not intended for window coverings are not permitted. (In addition to appliances, window treatments, blinds, ceiling fan light fixtures, and

storm doors/screen doors are also not included in this Rental Agreement, and, if present, will be removed if the Tenant requests their removal from the Landlord. However, if any of these items are present in the home and the Tenant opts to not have them removed by the Landlord, the Tenant is responsible for maintaining them and will be liable for any damages to them that occur during his residency. Storm doors/screen doors will also be permanently removed by Landlord if inspected and found that said doors have not been maintained and serviced by Tenant.)

I finally got smart and started providing curtain rods (no curtains.) Got tired of repairing holes from the cheap curtain rods that Residents had installed poorly and I had been taking down. Then finally I realized I should start providing the rods (and mounting them correctly into structure).

I found if there's a curtain rod provided, residents were much more likely to buy their own curtains and hang them. They get curtains that match their decor and love it! On tours residents see the curtain rods as a bonus.

Also reduces the amount of damage I have to repair since the curtain rods stay in the apt and they're mounted correctly.

I prefer blinds because it makes and older or dirty windows look better. I often use tie back or curtain toppers to dress up re-rentals that have not been done over. When you show vacant rental with stark windows glaring light, even on a rehab it comes up short in appearance then when you have blinds and curtains and with window treatments I can rent must faster and at improved rents. I typically might spend $25 a window, especially in living rm, kitchen and main bdrm. There is night and day difference between marketing a unit with bare windows one windows with new blinds and some form of curtains.

I am always amazed when I see a nice rehabbed rental unit and where thousands and thousands of dollars have been spent on rehab but their tight pockets about spending just another two hundred total on cheap blinds and curtains. Stores are always having sales on curtains and brand new cheap curtains on windows look 100% better then plain windows. Most times upon vacancy many of the blinds and curtains are still good so I only have to repl the bad ones. My rentals are mid to lower price range but if I had high end rentals, most assuredly I would provide window treatments.

Hey, you get some relief on sched E at tax time and your glad for the write off!.

Remember about being penny wise and pound foolish!

Sue,

What do you mean by mounting a 1/4? 1/4 what? If I get the idea then maybe the pretty square blocks from lowes secured at the correct spot for rod installation and painted to the wall cover sounds like a good idea.

Very interesting perspectives. I have used all kinds of window treatments over the years. I didn't see interior shutters mentioned, but I installed a louvered wooden set in the lower half of a bathroom window that has lasted decades. The louvers are functional, and it opens like a bi-fold too. So far no objections. Valance/curtain on upper sash.

Also, re: mini blinds, the only ones I feel are worth cleaning are large custom sizes, like 75"+. Yup, they won't fit in a bathtub. Quickest way I have found is to remove, lay out on clean concrete slab, spray with all purpose cleaner, allow contact time, and hose off, flip and repeat. A pressure washer works even better. I do the casement window screens same way, same time.

Jerry - NY - I've used shutters in 2 properties. Bathroom windows in a class C house - have to keep gluing them back together. Kitchen, dining room, bathroom and bedroom windows in class A-B house and they have been fine. Biggest issue with interior shutters is painting them.

I'm trying curtains now, finishing couple homes. sick of blinds. thank you

W,

You convinced me. Gonna give it a go.

It seems the newer blinds are breaking much easier than the corded kind.

I find raising and lowering them very awkward and not always working.

Plus we're having trouble getting the miniblinds we need.

I DO like covering (hiding) the old windows with a blind and the home looks good from the street- all the windows the same.

AND we tilt the vanes level so prospects can look in the windows of vacant/for rent homes.

Before we started supplying blinds my residents tore the heck out of my window trim with every screw found by the side of the road or extra railroad spikes. Then rebel flag and wolf blankets in the windows. Great first impression from the street!

Styles and trends (and materials) change over time. So must we.

I remember Jeffrey teaching to add miniblinds as a luxury amenity!

BRAD

No longer able to purchase mini blinds with cords in St. Louis.

We just used curtains to disguise a really crappy slider in our downstairs apartment. No one ever used it - it's really hard to slide, it's ugly, and it opens into our part of the yard, not the apartment's. Tenants have always put their bed in front of it.