Lifespan of Blinds & Required Maintenance:
Window blinds are an item that may need to be updated every few years, especially if you bought the less expensive ones that can warp and break over time. After 5 years, your blinds will start to deteriorate orfade. They may turn yellow with time, especially if they are white. Blinds can be used for a variety of purposes, including maintaining privacy and blocking sunlight. It’s recommended that blinds must be replaced every 6-8 years.
Typical Life Cycles of Window Treatments:
- Mini Blinds : 2-6 years
- Faux window blinds : 3-6 years
- Cellular & Honeycomb Shades : 5-7 years
- Roman Shades : 5-7 years
- Draperies : 8-12 years
- Wood Shutters : 10-15 years
- Poly wood Shutters : 30+ years
Let’s take a closer look at the average life expectancy of some of the blinds.
- Faux wood blinds and mini-blinds tend to last around 5 years on average. They can be destroyed by warped slats from sitting in the sun, a pet peering through and ruining the blinds, or a frayed cord.
- Corded shades have a tendency to fray or split, ruining the complete set. Heat-blocking cellular and honeycomb shades, as well as attractive and trendy Roman shades, are examples of modern blinds and shades.
- Draperies are among the most durable window treatments available, but they can also be the most costly. High-end, insulated curtains can last a decade or more without requiring much maintenance. One disadvantage of drapery’s life cycle is that it may be excessively long-lasting but not adaptable enough.
- When it comes to longevity, shutters outperform every other window treatment on the market. Their sturdy construction and protective finish provide an extra layer of protection, allowing them to endure longer. Furthermore, each louvre is linked to the frame separately, so if one is damaged or dislodges, the others will not be affected.

We already learned about the life expectancy of blinds. Now we’ll talk about how to determine if your window blinds are worn out.
Window Treatments: Signs to Replace Them
If you’ve had your blinds for a while, check them for signs of wear and tear, as most only last 7-8 years. If the window coverings are still under warranty, you may be able to get them replaced by your manufacturer.
The look and feel of a space can be greatly influenced by the curtains, shades, or blinds on the windows. There are eight crucial signals that it’s time to update your window treatments.
- Slats are warped or bent
Misshapen or warped slats in faux wood blinds usually indicates heat damage, while misshapen or warped slats in wood blinds can indicate humidity damage. These will make it impossible to properly raise the blinds When there are a lot of bent slats, it’s best to replace the complete set.
- Frayed cords
Frayed cords are a solid sign that window blinds need to be replaced. Finding them indicates that the blinds have outdated internal systems that are causing cord damage, or that the blinds have become so old that wear and tear has pushed them to their limits. In any case, the blinds are now in jeopardy of becoming unstable or dropping, therefore it’s time to replace them.
- Risk for Children or Pets
Pets and small children can become strangled by blinds with lengthy, exposed cords. Upgrade to safer child proof blinds like curtains or draperies, cordless roller shades, plantation shutters, or cordless cellular shades
- Operationally difficult
It’s probably time to have your blinds replaced if raising them takes a lot of work or if they can’t be lifted at all. If it’s tough to raise blinds, it’s possible that the blinds’ lifting mechanisms are damaged or broken, and they won’t be able to handle the load they’re carrying. Hard-to-lift blinds can be harmful if they fall out of the window, so it’s best to replace them.

- Slats that are discolored or yellowed
All blinds are susceptible to sun fading, but newer materials now provide better UV protection. However, if the color of the blinds changes dramatically, such as turning yellow or discoloring, this is most likely a symptom of material deterioration. This indicates that the structural integrity of the blind slats is deteriorating and that they will need to be replaced soon.
- Blind slats aren’t closing firmly
The tilt mechanism is undoubtedly old and worn out if the blind slats aren’t shutting as tightly as they used to, or if the tilt wand barely moves the slats no matter how hard you twist it. If this is the case, replacing this element without having to re-cord the entire blind will be difficult — it’s far easier to get the complete unit replaced.
- Out of Fashion
It’s probably time for an upgrade if blinds have never been replaced. If not updated, venetian blinds and roller shades can become worn and unsafe. Window treatments that are too old not only seem archaic, but they are also likely worn out and perhaps unsafe. It’s preferable to call it quits when that period of time has passed.
- Newly installed windows
If you’ve recently installed new windows-whether as part of an energy efficiency update or just to expand your house – the blinds may no longer fit or appear to be incompatible with the new window. This could be an excellent time to replace old blinds with lovely fabric roman shades or a modern top- down and bottom-up shading option.