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The Benefits Of Blinds And Shades

March 26, 2010 By Leave a Comment

If you do not want to replace your old curtains, or have moved into a new house than needs decorated, why not opt for blinds and shades for your windows? They can give your home a more contemporary look and they can be more hygienic and easier to clean than curtains.

Blinds and shades give you greater light control than curtains, as you can work them to let as much or as little light into the room as you desire. You can also raise them to the level you want to specify how much privacy you want at any given time. Whether made from wood, metal or fabric, all styles of blinds offer many advantages.

There are so many styles to choose from that you will be spoilt for choice, whatever your personal style and budget restraints.

In order to allow maximum light into your home, lightweight vinyl blinds are a great option. They are easy to care for, requiring very little maintenance. A quick wipe down with a damp cloth should keep them clean. Vinyl blinds can be made in a range of sizes, in horizontal or vertical styles, and there is an endless array of color and pattern choices. They are particularly suitable for sliding doors and larger than average windows.

Window blinds and shades made of wood are elegant and sophisticated and with the development of new coatings, they can be easily cleaned. Gone are the days when wooden blinds gradually sagged in the middle; modern versions are far more lightweight. Again, there is a huge range of styles and colors; some wooden blinds are even patterned. Faux wood is also available, which often looks just like the really thing but is a cheaper option. Bamboo blinds and shades are classic yet inexpensive; they can give your home a warmth and coziness, and are available in several finishes and trims.

blinds and shadesIf you are on a tight budget, discount blinds and shades are widely available, both at your local blind store or online. Home furnishings are decoration is a competitive market, and many companies offer huge discounts and special offers all year round. If you have windows of standard sizes and no specific requirements to meet, you can get some great bargains on ready-made blinds.

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If on the other hand you can afford to splash out on dressing the windows of your dreams, or your windows are not of standard size, all blind companies offer a service for custom made blinds and shades. They will look at the dimensions and shape of your windows and take careful measurements, and then ask you to choose your style and fabric. Custom-made window treatments fit better and work exactly to suit the style of your window. If you can’t decide what shades to go for, most companies offer a consultancy service, where an employee will visit your home and advise you on what treatments are appropriate. This can be a great way to get new ideas that you may not have considered yourself. If you have a few ideas but are struggling to reach a decision, ask the manufacturer to send you some samples so that you can see and feel the materials and quality yourself within the setting of your home. You might find that a style or material you liked does not actually suit the decor of the room.

Therefore, for a great way to change the appearance of a room, window blinds and shades are a reasonably priced, quick and simple addition. Replacing your old heavy curtains with beautiful new blinds will give your home an instant facelift!

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Blinds Shades and Curtains – Revisited

August 26, 2009 By Leave a Comment

In a previous post – Shades Blinds and Shutters – A Brief Rundown we gave a brief overview of some of the different types of blinds shades and shutters that are available. Soon after that post I received some emails from people that said that I hadn’t included their favorites. As you can imagine, there is such a huge range out there that I was bound to miss a few, so I’m following that post up with this one, and including a few glaring omissions, and some all time favorite styles of mine, and fellow readers.

Roman Blinds – The roman blind is a classic style that is popular amongst people who want a traditional look in their home, while still benefitting from the functionality of a blind. They are basically a length of fabric with dowels attached horizontally at regular intervals. What this does is allow the blind to fold up under itself when it’s raised, while laying flat on your window when it’s down.

Pleated Shades – Pleated shades are a newer style of window covering, very popular in a contemporary setting. Unlike a roman blind, these blinds are raised at regular intervals, creating a corrugated effect. Out of all the blinds & shades available, these blinds are one of the most effective for insulation purposes in your home. When raised they will fold up will neatly along the top of the window, barely noticeable, allowing you an uninterrupted view outside.

blinds shades 2Vertical Blinds – Verticals are used predominately on large windows, and sliding glass doors. They are made up of individual slats that hang vertically down the length of your window or door. Like pleated blinds, they will fold up against one corner of your door, completely out of the way when not needed.

Roll Up Blinds – One of the cheapest styles available, many people discount them thinking that cheap means not so functional. The truth is that these blinds are quite handy in the right setting. They will roll up around a tube at the top, and are raised and lowered using a spring mechanism, meaning no messy cords hanging down the side.

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Sheer Curtains – A beautiful selection for places like your kitchen or as a backing to a larger curtain in your living room. Sheer curtains are translucent, and create a wonderful light diffusion in your home, protecting your furniture from harmful UV rays, while still allowing the room to remain bright and cheery.

Aluminium Blinds – Usually used in patios or sunrooms, blinds made from aluminum make a great privacy shade, as they are completely solid, made up of individual slats of alumimum that neatly fit into each other. Perfect for the outdoor or semi outdoor setting, as they will be able to withstand the harsh elements.

Cafe Curtains – Cafe curtains originated in cafes and restaurants (hence the name), and were designed to give the patrons privacy while still allowing a country charm. Nowadays they are predominant in kitchens, as they lend themselves well to the ambiance of that room, giving it an open and inviting atmosphere.

Blackout Blinds – I don’t know how I missed this style in my last post, as out of all the blinds out there, blackout blinds serve one particular purpose; to keep as much light out of a room as possible. Usually lined with a special blackout material, these blinds are perfect for bedrooms that see lots of light and home cinema setups.

Conservatory Roof Blinds – If you are lucky enough to own a conservatory, then you will know what a multi purpose space they can give you and your family. The only problem is that there are many windows to be covered, and they are quite often in odd places and of odd shapes. Conservatory roof blinds come to the rescue, with the versatility of fitting almost any shaped window you need.

Once again, I’m sure there are more that haven’t been covered, and if I’ve yet again missed some of your favorite blinds and shades, feel free to let me know. I may even make this an ongoing series, with the aim of giving people a brief overview of each style. If you need more information about any of the above, you are sure to find more by using the search function available in the sidebar.

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Shades Blinds and Shutters – A Brief Rundown

August 24, 2009 By Leave a Comment

I would like to give you a brief rundown on some of the more popular styles of shades blinds and shutters that we have discussed so far. Each window treatment has a different use, and gives a different atmosphere in your home. In order to make an informed decision, it is important that you have a little knowledge about the following types of blinds and shades…

Wood Blinds – The most popular style of material for blinds by far, wood adds natural warmth to your home that can’t be achieved by any other type of material. The downside to wood is that it needs regular maintenance to stay in tip top condition.

Faux Wood Blinds – For those that cannot afford wood, but love that natural grainy look, faux wood is probably the next best thing. The two main materials used in the production of faux wood are wood composites and PVC. Faux wood is only a fraction of the price of the real thing.

Shutters – There are two main categories in the world of shutters, based on the width of the slats. The smaller window shutters generally have a slat size of 1 or 1 1/2 inches. Larger slat sizes are often referred to as plantation shutters, and are generally used on the exterior of your home, or on larger windows.

Mini Blinds – One of the most inexpensive styles of blinds that you can get, mini blinds are characterised by their small horizontal slats. There is some confusion between mini blinds and venetian blinds, but the two phrases mean basically the same thing.

shades blindsSliding window Blinds – The most popular choice for vertical blinds are for large sliding doors. They are perfect for this use, as the blinds tuck right away into the unused corer of the room when they are not needed, while giving overall coverage to your door when it gets sunny outside.

Panel Track Blinds – This is a newer style of blind that is increasing in popularity. It consists of larger horizontal lengths of material that fold into each other when not in use. They work similar to the principle of the vertical blind, but also make great room dividers.

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Cellular Shades – The biggest benefit of cellular shades is their amazing insulation properties. These are a lightweight shade that packs a real punch. Some people refer to them as honeycomb shades, because of the shape of the individual cells. You can get these shades in single, double or triple cell versions; the greater the number of cells, the better its insulating properties.

Woven Wood Shades – The name of these shade blinds is a little misleading, as although there are some that are made of actual wood, the more popular styles use bamboo, jutes and reeds to create the shade. Woven wood shades are a perfect solution in any place that you are trying to create a natural organic feel.

Roman Shades – Roman shades are usually made using fabric, although there are styles created in vinyl and even bamboo. The roman shade is a classic window covering that rolls up to the top of your window in pleats when not in use. Roman blinds are great for smaller windows in the bedroom, giving you complete privacy.

Roller Shades – Out of all the shades available, the roller shade is the most simple in design. Roller shades consist of nothing more than a tube of aluminum, with a length of fabric wrapped around it. When not in use, the fabric is wrapped around the tube at the top of the window via a pulley system.

Sheer Shades – For those times when you want a little bit of privacy but don’t want to block out the world (or the sun) entirely, sheer shades are the way to go. They make an elegant solution for places like the kitchen, and are usually made from very thin and light weight fabrics,

Solar Screens – Similar to roller blinds, but instead of using material solar shades use are usually plastics and synthetics. They work on the principles used in sunglasses, diffusing the light while still allowing you to see out your window. They are particularly popular on large glass doors or windows that look out onto a view.

As you can seem there are a huge variety of window shades and blinds out there, and we have only touched the surface, For more information on any of these individual styles, feel free to browse through the rest of this site.

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