Window Blind Selection Guide

In many homes and most offices, blinds are commonly used to give shade and privacy to the place. Unlike curtains, the amount of light that can be let in can be controlled if you have installed blinds on your windows. Many people feel that the problem with having blinds is the installation. This can be true, but these people neglect the fact that there are also other things that have to be considered before purchasing blinds.

I. Style

Blinds can come in different styles, the most popular of that are Venetian blinds. Decide on what style you want depending on the functionality and design of your windows.

1. Roller Shades
These are made specially treated opaque or vinyl fabric wrapped around a dowel. They employ a spring or a beaded cord system to roll the fabric up or down. This is good if you want to have complete privacy and to protect the furniture from fading. The ends can be straight or shaped, and trimmings or contrasting braids can be added to the design.

2. Roman Shades
These blinds have a cord woven thru the fabric that allows you to raise or lower the shade in an accordion pattern.

3. Venetian Blinds
Also called horizontal blinds, they have horizontal panels made of wood or aluminum that can be adjusted to change the level of sunlight that can be allowed in the room. These are available in different widths ranging from 16 mm to 50 mm.

4. Pleated Shades
These function similarly with Venetian blinds and have flat horizontal fabric panels. To let light enter from the top of the windows, you can have those that have top-down design.

5. Vertical Blinds
They have vertical panels that can be adjusted to control the amount of light that enters. It can also be pulled to one side or both sides of the window to allow total natural illumination. Different types of fabric may be used in sizes from 89mm to 127mm.

6. Honeycomb Shades
They are also known as cellular shades. These shades, thru layers of fabric capable of filtering light, can let light in and keep the heat or cold outside, thus giving the room insulation to save on your energy bills.

7. Woven Wood Shades
These are usually made of bamboo, and blocks direct sunlight from coming into the room but allow some natural light to come in.

8. Mini Blinds
Also known as macro, micro or aluminum blinds. These have one-inch or two-inch slats to adjust the amount of light that enters the room.

9. Shutters
These have parallel slats, or louvers, that can be adjusted to change the level of privacy.

II. Measurement And Installation

The blinds should be unobstructed that when it is fully extended, it can still hang freely. For accurate measurements, it is recommended that you use a steel ruler. Cutting the Blinds is necessary to make the blinds fit the size of the windows. Before cutting the blinds, measure the desired width from one edge of the bracket to the other. The size of the winding mechanism should be deducted first before cutting the lath, the tube and the fabric to the correct size. To cut the tube, a mini hacksaw can be used, while for the fabric, it is recommended that you use a cutting knife or a sharp pair of scissors.

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