Now that we know when to use hard window treatments, let's take a look at some of the options for hard window treatments that are available, and when one is better than another:
 Natural woven shade slats are one type of hard window treatments that has just blossomed in popularity. They are generally constructed of grasses, raffia, bamboo or jute. They offer the flexibility of a hard window treatment, but their popularity really comes from the fact that these woven shades can be combined with a soft window treatment or they can stand alone, so they are very versatile. They also have an added bonus of that they softly filter the light and provide a warm feeling to the room.
 Your next option for hard window treatments are horizontal blinds. For the most part, horizontal blinds are available in varying slat widths, and come in sizes to fit most windows. The most popular blind width is the 2" blind. It is popular because it is both easy to operate, and it gives the appearance of plantation shutters. Most horizontal blinds are constructed of wood, aluminum, vinyl, or another synthetic materials made to look like stained or painted wood.
 Vertical blinds are another form of hard window treatments that are an especially good choice for sliding glass doors. Vertical blinds have some big advantages, for example they offer the ability to reveal all the glass and can also be rotated to control light and maintain privacy. Vertical blinds also offer the fact that they can come in a variety of useful materials, for example, aluminum, vinyl, or fabric, which means they can coordinate with your room, and you can get the right material for whatever you need.
 Shutters are another great choice for hard window treatments. They provide a nice, architectural appearance that can enhance the room's extras such as the moldings; another benefit is they also provide excellent light control. The most popular option is the 2 inch plantation shutters.
 One great hard window treatment is the pleated, roller or cellular shades, which are simple to raise and lower, and look elegant when down and if you do not want them, they can basically disappear when raised.
 Roman and cellular shades are a great hard window treatment if you have drafty windows as they have insulating liners to keep cold and heat out.
Before purchasing window treatments, hard or soft, you need to be sure to measure each window and never assume that all of the windows are the same size. Also, if you are worried about your measurements, it is better to cover more of the window than not covering enough. There are a lot of options and thus choices involved in selecting the type and style of window treatments best suited for your room, so consider your needs, and choose appropriately.