What Are Vertical Blinds?

By Peter Badger

Ads by Google

Blinds 4 Less: Super Sale Shutters & Blinds 
Lowest Prices Free Estimates (951) 924-9435 blinds4less01.com

Vertical blinds are manufactured in a variety of colours, patterns, and washable fabrics for use in Kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, patio doors or French windows. The blind louvers hang freely from their track mechanism and hence they can be manufactured using fabrics, screens or rigid PVC. Traditional louvers are interconnected by a clip and chain which in turn is connected to the keyhole punch in the vane. Modern vertical blinds have dispensed with these interconnections.

Since the louvers of vertical blinds hang loosely from the track mechanism, they sway and bang against each other and could cause undesirable noise-especially in the case of PVC louvers.
Fabric louvers are less noisome and would be an excellent choice for bedrooms and boardrooms where noise can be distracting. Additionally, fabric blinds come in a variety of shades and patterns that can be used creatively to enhance the beauty of the room and match with the general décor. If high quality fabrics are used, the longevity of the blind, the translucency factors and ease of cleaning will be ensured. The way the louver hangs will also be straighter and more graceful.

The louvers of the vertical blind fabric are manufactured by weaving or by stitch bonding.
Stitch bonding is a process in which the fibres are compressed and stitched through. The stitch itself is decoratively linear, running the length of the fabric and creates a pattern on the louver. This type of louver is generally favoured by those who do not wish to use liners with their louvers.
These are also cheaper than woven fabric vertical blinds.
Woven fabric louvers are manufactured using high end, fast weaving equipment. The initial threads are pressed down while the next thread is inserted with speed and accuracy. This makes for durable fabric that can be decoratively and creatively enhanced in a variety of styles and patterns. These louvers also last much longer and retain their newness for longer periods of time.

Vertical blinds today are made form fabric, vinyl and aluminium. Several other types of fabrics are being used for their flame retardant, light reflective, glare reductive and dim out properties. Anti static finish is used on the fabrics to prevent the fabrics from gathering or attracting dust. A few fabrics are specifically selected as they are water resistant and heat reflective.

The greatest advantage that is derived from vertical blinds is that they do not gather dust. The vertical slat does not allow dust to settle on them. Moreover, they are extremely easy to clean. A light duster will help keep the blinds dust free. Use of dust or enzyme spray on the vertical louvers is also recommended if the louvers have become very dirty. They can also be taken down easily for extensive cleaning. The blinds can also be soaked, scrubbed and rinsed to remove stains using soap and water. Household solutions can also be used to clean the blinds.

Vertical blinds can be mounted inside or outside the window frame. They can be used on awkward windows that are sloped or split. Curved head rails are available for use on bay or bow windows.
The vertical blind louvers can be drawn to the left or right or gathered into the centre of the window to get a clear view of the outside. These options are known as split, stack or draw.

Split option allows the vertical blind to be opened in the centre like a drape with a part of the vertical moving to the right and the other part to the left. The stack option moves the vertical blind to right or left side of the window. The cord controls will have to be selected in accordance with the direction of movement of the vertical blind.

Vertical blinds are available in different price ranges. The style, design, fabric used and the accessories will be determining factors. The accessories can include decorative head rails that are stand alone and do not require to be covered up with matching fabrics. Standard vertical blind sizes are less expensive than the ones that are custom made.

At Made To Measure Blinds UK we provide cheap vertical blinds in a variety of colours and designs all at the best UK competitive prices.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Badger

Happy 17th Anniversary to Us!

Blinds 4 Less of Southern California will celebrate our 17th anniversary on August 16, 2011.
We are our proud of our excellent reputation for providing quality blinds, shades, and shutters to the Inland Empire since 1994.
Our trained and knowledgeable design, sales, and installation associates are dedicated to providing the best quality, lowest prices,
                                                     and prompt and professional service.

You don't have to leave your home or business to shop with us...we come to you.
 We bring our samples, measure your windows, offer suggestions, and install your window coverings all at your convenience.
We offer a huge variety of window coverings custom made for your windows and offer Free in-home consultations.
Blinds 4 Less is a Better Business Bureau accredited business and licensed and bonded with the state of California.
We  have the lowest prices guaranteed with the highest quality window treatments.

Call Now for a Free In-Home Estimate
(951) 924-9435 or 1 800 299-0799
California State Contractors License # 901503

Overview of different blind types

A window blind is a type of window coverings. There are many different kinds of window blinds, using different systems and materials. A typical window blind is made with slats of fabric, wood, plastic or metal that adjust by rotating from an open position to a closed position by allowing slats to overlap. There are also window blinds that use a single piece of material instead of slats.

The term window blinds is also sometimes used to describe window coverings generically—in this context window blinds include almost every type of window covering, i.e. shutters, roller blinds, roman blinds and of course, standard vertical and horizontal blinds. In the United Kingdom awnings are also considered blinds.


Many window blinds are made with slats of fabric, wood, plastic or metal that adjust by rotating from an open position to a closed position by allowing slats to overlap. A roller blind does not have slats but comprises a single piece of material. Metal window blinds are often used outside of the house or business to protect against theft, temperature, vision, bad weather and fire (in fire-prone areas). Often these blinds are machine-operated, rather than hand operated.

The horizontal version uses a thin woven "ladder" system to suspend the slats and enable slats to be closed via a rotating drum to which each upper end of the woven ladder is wrapped and attached. A lift cord allows the blind to be pulled up and stack tightly to top of window when desired.

The vertical version uses a generally wider slat and has the added feature of being able to pull a cord to stack the slats together either to one side or to separate in the centre and stack on each end. This vertical blind allows rotation of slats by a rotating shaft in the upper head rail housing which runs through independent geared carriers that will convert twisting of tilt rail to a rotation of each individual slat in synchrony. The original vertical blinds were invented in Kansas City^{[citation needed]}, Missouri, by Edward Bopp and Fredrick Bopp who held the original patent. The company name at the time was Sun Vertical. In the 1960s the patent and company was sold.

The term window blinds is also sometimes used, somewhat inaccurately, to describe window coverings generically—in this context window blinds include almost every type of window covering, e.g. shutters, roller blinds, roman blinds and of course, vertical and horizontal blinds.

In Britain awnings are also considered blinds. A blind limits observation and thus “blinds” the observer to the view. The main types are slat blinds which can be opened in two ways and solid blinds.
Solid blinds can only be raised or lowered and are sometimes called shades. There are types of blinds, such as Holland blinds and woven-wood blinds, where there are small spaces between the slats. In others such as pleated shades there are no spaces because the slats are sewn inside fabric.

Window blinds reduce the heat from sunlight. Ancient Egyptian pharaohs had blinds made of reeds. The most inexpensive blinds in the 19th century were home-made roller blinds, made of cloth.
Window blinds can be manually drawn using a cord, or automated through motorization. Controls for motorized blinds can be from a wall switch or keypad, remote control, or a personal computer, eliminating the need for cords and allowing control of otherwise inaccessible windows. A number of homes are integrating blind control with central CBUS solutions. This control provides ease of use, but is also effective to control blind operation to reduce heat loss during winter or heat effects during summer.

Varieties

Persian, or slat

The most common window blinds are slat blinds, which consist of many horizontal slats, usually of metal or vinyl, connected with string in a way that they can be rotated to allow light to pass between the slats, rotated up to about 170 degrees to hide the light, or pulled up so that the entire window is clear. Vertical blinds consist of slats of stiffened fabric, plastic, or metal hanging by one end from a track; like the horizontal versions, the slats can be rotated 90 degrees to allow light to pass through or to fold up on one side of a door or window. Vertical blinds are very good at controlling how much natural or exterior light comes into a room, due to the ability of the slats to close tightly.

 

Venetian

 

A Venetian blind has horizontal slats, one above another. Venetian blinds are basic slatted blinds made of metal or plastic; wooden slats are sometimes used but in the US these are now usually referred to as wood blinds or bamboo blinds. They are suspended by strips of cloth called tapes, or by cords, by which all slats in unison can be rotated through nearly 180 degrees. The slats can be rotated such that they overlap with one side facing inward and then in the opposite direction such that they overlap with the other side facing inward. Between those extremes, various degrees of separation may be effected between the slats by varying the rotation. There are also lift cords passing through slots in each slat. When these cords are pulled, the bottom of the blind moves upward causing the lowest slats to press the underside of the next highest slat as the blind is raised. A modern variation of the lift cords combines them with the rotational cords in slots on the two edges of each slat. This avoids the slots otherwise required to allow a slat to rotate despite a lift cord passing through it, thus decreasing the amount of light passing through a closed blind. Slat width can be between 16–120 mm, with 25 mm being a common width.
Related patents were taken out in England by Gowin Knight in 1760^[1] and Edward Beran on 11 December 1769,^[2] but Venetian blinds were known to the French long before then, the French name for Venetian blinds being persiennes. In 1761 St. Peter's Church, Philadelphia had such blinds.^[3]
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Venetian blinds were widely adopted in office buildings to regulate light and air. A large modern complex in the US that adopted Venetian blinds was Rockefeller Center’s RCA Building (better known as the Radio City building) in New York City, completed in the 1930s. One of the largest orders for Venetian blinds ever placed was to the Burlington Venetian Blind Co., of Burlington, Vt., which supplied blinds for the windows of the Empire State Building in New York City.^[4]

 

Vertical

‎
Unlike horizontal blinds, vertical blinds are less likely to be damaged in strong winds and to hold dirt, but are more likely to break down. Generally they require less muscle strength, and are faster to operate.
Stationary vertical blinds are hung in the doorways of some homes and businesses which generally leave the door open. Movement of the blind may signal a change in air flow, or someone entering the doorway. More commonly however, these vertical blinds are made of thick plastic. In the cold rooms of food businesses, this slows the heat leakage into the cold room. In warmer climates, vertical blinds discourage flies and some other insects from entering the building.

 

 Others

Other variety of window blinds include mini blinds (Venetian blinds with very narrow slats 1"(usually 25 mm wide), micro blinds 1/2"(usually 12 mm wide), louvers, jalousies, brise soleil, Holland blinds, pleated blinds, Roman shades, and roller shades.

 

 

Materials

A window blind is a means of screening a window, achieving similar results to those obtained by fitting curtains. Blinds are typically the same width and height as the window itself or slightly wider and taller - depending on whether they are fixed inside or outside the window's reveal (i.e. the wall recess within which the window itself is fixed).
Window blinds have varying thermal effects: they can block unwanted heat of the summer sun and they can keep in heat in cold weather. But in both of these applications, they also reduce light to varying degrees, depending on the design. Many kinds of blinds attempt varying balances of privacy and shade. Blinds can be made of a number of different materials and manufactured in a number of different ways. This usually determines the name by which the blind is commonly known.

 

 Fabric

 

Blinds made of fabric(fabric blinds) can either rolled up thanks to a thin cord and small horizontal slats (Roman blind), folding blinds with no horizontal slats create a less structured look (Austrian blinds). To create the blinds are used mainly silk and organza. A silk cloth can be present or embroidery stitch, which will give tissue varied terrain. If you combine silk and cotton, it is possible to achieve a two-layered fabric, similar to the skin of the animal. ^[5]

 

Wood

Wooden blinds are generally known as Venetian blinds. A number of horizontal wooden slats are joined together by corded pulleys which can either gather all the slats at the top of the window to reveal the view or simply angle the slats while allowing some light to travel through the blind yet retaining some level of privacy. Wooden blinds come in a number of finishes (determined by the type of wood used, which ranges from painted to most types of solid oak varieties) and sizes (determined by the width of each slat which is usually available in one of three widths - 25 mm, 35 mm or 50 mm). Wooden Venetian blinds are also available as vertical blinds. These are usually made up of wider slats and operate in virtually the same way as their horizontal counterparts (i.e. instead of being drawn upwards to reveal the window, the draw to one side gathering in a vertical bunch).
Pinoleum blinds are made up of small wooden twigs laid horizontally which are joined together by vertical threading. The resulting weave is, as a result, only flexible vertically and can be drawn upwards once manufactured as a roller blind or in a similar fashion to a Venetian blind. Conservatory blinds are often made with Pinoleum.^{[citation needed]} Drawings in ancient Egyptian tombs of reed blinds have been reported^[who?] and a common window blind during the 19th century is said to have been the home-made roller shade, a shade that has been underestimated.

 

Faux wood

 

Faux wood blinds are an alternative to real wood blinds. Made of a composite of man-made materials and natural wood particles, faux wood is also a less expensive choice than natural wood. These blinds have become more popular as the products have matured, becoming cheaper and more versatile at the same time offering more of a natural wood look. Current faux wood blinds are more warp resistant than ever before, have UV ratings as high as 500 and come in many colors that would be hard to find in natural wood blinds. Because of their resistance to warping, faux wood window blinds are a great choice for areas of extreme temperature swings. They are also the ideal choice for places with high moisture, such as bathrooms and kitchens, since they do not warp as easily as natural wood.

 

Other materials

 

Venetian blinds, both horizontal and vertical, are available in a number of man-made materials (either resembling wood or metal or simply plastic). These are better suited to areas where moisture or direct contact with water is likely to cause a problem, such as bathrooms and kitchens. These blinds are often available with micro slats (as small as 16 mm or less). The result of smaller slats is that more have to be used to obscure the window completely. Conservatory blinds (i.e. ceiling fixed via a number of horizontal pulleys) are often made of man-made materials.

 

Automobile blinds

Some vehicles include or are retrofitted with sun blinds for rear and rear side windows. See also car glass. These blinds are used to protect the vehicle and the passengers from direct sunlight.
Car shades are another common way to protect the vehicle. The shades for the rear and front windows are designed to be unfolded and sit against the window. They can be made of plastic or cardboard. The shades that go on the side windows of a vehicle are usually attached using suction cups or using static cling.
Solid fabric and slat car blinds have given way to cheaper and more flexible, folding wire-framed "dark-stocking" synthetic blinds. These are used where the car owner has not dark-tinted the glass of the car windows enough. or during the day, wishing to have more privacy.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blinds

Roman Blinds and the Choices Available

By : Annie Deakin Submitted 2010-01-22 08:58:48

With flat panels that move in a downward direction, roman blinds are extremely easy to use. They only come in two distinct types, however, one based on shape and the other on fabric fold. Typically, the most commonly found style is the one that has folds that are straight when down and up when in the up position. This simple design feature can be an addition to almost any decorative thing you can imagine. Your second choice, the teardrop shape, has a slightly curved hem when pulled up rather than laying flat. It forms the teardrop shape in the up position as well which is where the name derives from. The teardrop shape is commonly the preference for bedrooms and livings rooms because it can add a much softer feeling to the room overall. Flimsy materials are used to create these types of blinds rather than the more sturdy fabrics of classic styles. This is due to the way the blinds must bend to form the teardrop shape. You can match roman blinds with any type of style by color is you would like. There are hundreds of thousands of color options available so mixing and matching is pretty simple. Let your imagination run wild! You can also pick your roman blinds by texture due to the large variety of fabrics they are constructed of. Things like leather, denim, satin and canvas are all very common. So are other flimsy and sturdy materials. What texture you go with depends a lot on what kind of look you are trying to achieve. Soft textures, for example, are recommended for teardrop style shades while stiffer fabrics are recommended for horizontal styles. These sturdier materials work rather well in contemporary settings. Even though you do have a vast amount of options before you, please take in to consideration that roman blinds do have a few drawbacks and are not the right choice for every single home. Rustic type themes are not well suited for them and you would be better offer choosing a wooden venetian blind for this. On the other hand, contemporary designs are perfect for this type of blind and are typically the decorative theme they are used with most often. Also, if the area you wish to cover is a span of rather large windows, roman blinds would not be your best choice either. The reason being, they can end up being too difficult to get raised and lowered when used in these applications. You would be better off going with two blinds mounted next to each other to make using them much easier. If not, you are going to only end up with beautiful blinds that you never take advantage of. As you can see, there are several good things and a few bad things about using roman blinds. For the most part, though, they can work for you in any decorative application. Some people don t even choose them for this reason, but rather a highly practical lightening solution.

Author Resource:- Annie is an expert furniture and interior design writer.

Why Opt for the Best Window Shades?

By Greg Cope

There are many options to choose from when you buy windows coverings for your home. But before you make your purchase, there are few things that you need to consider. Will you need a window shade that controls light and heat? What designs go best with your furnishings? And will it be installed in your kid's room? Different window shades are bought to suit your budget needs and preference as well.

A window shade exists to cover windows. There are types of window treatments that blackout incoming light like vinyl blinds and roller shades. This makes a good option should you sleep by day. With these shades around, you block the harmful rays of the sun and protect your furnishings from fading. It also provides a cooler room temperature by minimizing the heat of the sun. If you need more light in your room, vinyl blinds and roller shades can come in light-filtering options. Just roll it up or down when you want sunlight or shade when heat is warmer.

The aesthetics of your window shades are also crucial to your choices. Will it hang alone in your windows, or will there be other window treatments like curtains and drapes. You can make your window shade stand out in your furnishings by choosing vibrant colors. Or you may want an eco-friendly or natural look in the room by choosing wood or wood-like options. Neutral colors make good options if you want your window treatments to complement your inner décor. Or you may prefer darker colors that provide privacy and the needed shade during the day.
Having children or pets around will require safety especially when you purchase shades. If there are roll-up shades or blinds with long cords, be very careful as these cause strangulation on your kids and pets. To prevent such occurrences, you keep the cord in a special hardware where it is out of their reach; or you may settle for cordless window shades. Choose washable and durable materials if your kids operate the shade or blinds. Ensure that these window treatments are securely installed to prevent upcoming danger on your children.

A careful selection can maximize its usefulness. As these come in many different varieties of colors, styles and materials, try to look around to choose the best one that suits you. Window shades are there to protect you; and these also provide beauty to your windows.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Greg_Cope

Ads by Google

Blinds 4 Less: Super Sale Shutters & Blinds Lowest Prices Free Estimates (951) 924-9435 blinds4less01.com