Throughout history, people have always wanted to have windows in their homes; a way to allow light and air into their homes. Even at the price of comfort, windows have always been seen as a necessity by people as they built their homes. At one time, these were nothing more than openings with no coverings. While they did well at allowing light and air into the home, they also allowed heat and cold, insects and rain to enter. Windows have made great strides since then, from simply holes in the walls to today's modern glass windows.

The earliest window coverings were generally animal hides, followed by cloth and then wood. It is the case that shutters actually came before glass windowpanes; it was only later that shutters were employed to protect glass.

Shutters were in wide use long before the invention of glass. After this development, various types of glass were used. In medieval Europe, the well to do would often have windows of mullioned glass, which are windows composed of small bits of glass held together by leading. The less wealthy would have windows made from paper, a common practice in the Far East. There were also windows made from very thin pans of marble and even flattened horn! It was not until the industrial revolution that the technology was developed to make modern floor to ceiling windows.

Many types of windows were made possible by the mass production of glass. The traditional style of window in influenced by the United Kingdom is the double hung sash. This window consists of two panes, (sashes) that overlap slightly and slide up or down within the frame. This type of window is still in use today though the balancing method has been refined a bit. Older double hung sash windows were balanced with a counterweights and pulleys, today they are mostly spring function. Though this is the most common type of window, it is far from the only one. Bay windows, picture windows, and skylights are all examples of how far we have come in the invention and use of the window. Once windows were fully integrated into most homes, they became an item to decorate.

No matter how your home is decorated, you are going to want some type of window coverings. These have also been greatly improved over the centuries, with blinds, drapes and curtains all available. Personally, my favorite is the Roman Shade, which is available in a wide variety of textures and colors and adds an elegant touch to any room.