Vertical Blinds Have Changed Over the Years
There are some individuals that think of vertical blinds as being unattractive as well as a hassle. A few people continue to say that these types of window coverings are only useful for blocking out the sun. Well, that is definitely not the case anymore. The vertical blind industry has been changing as well as growing for quite some time. Nowadays, you’ll find a wide variety of styles that work perfectly and they add a decorative touch. Window blinds, alone or combined with curtains or drapes, are an ideal window treatment for almost any room in your home.
Vertical blinds can be crafted from many different types of materials, such as wood, bamboo, and vinyl, just to name a few of them. Mini-blinds (narrow Venetian blinds) are the most common type of vertical blind used today. Other popular types of vertical blinds include vertical louvers, sometimes called shutters, and woven slats that roll up.
You can even get pleated vertical blinds made from paper that can be used as a temporary window covering while your custom window treatments are being prepared. These paper blinds can also be used for situations where you want light control and/or privacy, but still want to keep costs low. In case you’re thinking that they must tear easily since they are made out of paper, you can be assured that they are strong and durable. Although paper vertical window blinds are readily available, they only come in a limited assortment of styles and colors.
There was a time when vertical blinds offered few choices and they were mostly used for the practical functions of light control and privacy. Of course, those functions are still well served, but with the numerous styles and colors on the market for most types of vertical window blinds, you can easily match or complement the rest of the decor in your home.
Window Blinds are More Popular Than Ever
I really wasn’t surprised when I first saw a report that said window blinds are much more popular in most areas these days than curtains and other types of window coverings.
There is certainly nothing wrong with the other types of window treatments, but there are plenty of reasons why so many people are going with one or more types of the wide variety of blinds for windows.
On average, blinds last longer and are easier to maintain than curtains and draperies. There is often a lot of sewing and hemming that needs to be done with window coverings made of fabric. Some people simply do not have the time (or expertise) to do it themselves nor the budget to get custom-made curtains or drapes.
By the way, for the folks that want to make their own window coverings, information on that very topic will be included on the pages of this site.
One of the things people like about window blinds is that the blinds can easily be adjusted to different positions depending on the angle of the natural sunlight and how much light you want coming into the room.
Being able to block or minimize the sun’s ultraviolet rays can help to prolong the life and beauty of your furniture, carpets (and/or rugs), as well as your upholstery.
Let’s take a look at different types of blinds:
Venetian Blinds:
It is generally thought that this type of blind was introduced in Venice, Italy around 1770, hence the name. However, some people claim this style was in use in France long before then. I am not an expert on the actual history of this item, so we’ll just move on, okay?
These blinds have horizontal slats positioned one above the other with a bit of space in between. They are held in place by cloth strips, called tapes, or by thin cords. The slats can be rotated in unison to control the amount of light and glare. When the blind is raised, the slats are stacked against each other.
Venetian blinds can be made of metal, plastic, vinyl, wood or a composite that consists of wood and man-made materials.
Mini-Blinds:
A mini-blind is simply a Venetian blind that is not nearly as wide as the original design.
Vertical Blinds:
Sometimes called track blinds, they look like very wide Venetian blinds that hang down vertically and move along a track. Vertical blinds can be opened completely to allow for an unobstructed view out the window or rotated to various angles when closed.
Solid Blinds:
These are commonly called window shades. These cannot be rotated like a Venetian blind. They are rolled up or folded partially or completely to allow light to enter.
There are different types of solid blinds, including Holland blinds (also know as roller shades), woven wood or bamboo blinds, pleated shades, honeycomb shades (also known as cellular shades) and Roman shades.
Roman shades have a cord that is woven into the fabric that enables you to raise or lower the shade in an accordion-like pattern.
Honeycomb/cellular shades that have the privacy backing are one of the top choices for rooms where privacy is a big concern.
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As with other types of window treatments, window blinds can serve a functional purpose AND provide a decorative touch to your rooms. With so many styles and colors to pick from, you can almost have too many choices… sort of like the kid in the candy store.
