Pages

Venetian Blinds or Vertical Blinds


By
Expert Author Mark Row


Similarities and Differences
Making the right choice between Venetian blinds and vertical blinds (especially for those of you unacquainted with these types of window treatments) can be simplified with this detailed comparison review. The variety of window covering types offered on the market today can, indeed, be a cause of confusion. People searching for the most functional, practical and aesthetically pleasing window treatment have to approach the matter very seriously if they want to be certain that the choice they make satisfies their needs. One has to consider not only the aesthetical value of Venetian or vertical blinds, but also some other aspects before heading to the nearest home depot.

Venetian window blinds, also known as horizontal blinds, consist of a set of horizontal slats connected with a string ladder and pull cords. Their easy lift system allows you to lower or lift them without effort. Rotating slats, which you can position at any angle (up and down), serve to protect the inside of your rooms from curious passers-by and the damaging influences of sun rays to the delicate surfaces of your furniture.
Vertical window blinds consist of a set of vertical vanes (louvers, panels, slats), which can be traversed from the left to the right side of your window or vice versa (depending on the side of your chain mechanism). Vanes can also be rotated from left to right.

Venetian blinds and Vertical blinds standoff

 APPEARANCE
The natural, warm and refined look of wood and wood effect Venetian blinds is one of the main reasons they are considered a timeless and very classy choice of window covering. Different shades of brown and white make them adaptable to any decorating style and easy to combine with a large spectre of colors.
Vertical ones, depending on the material they are made of, come in different colors and patterns. In accordance with your personal aesthetic criteria, they can add a dose of elegance, liveliness and style to your decor.

MATERIALS
Venetians can be made of wood, faux wood, vinyl or aluminium. The quality of wood blinds, along with their closest supplement faux wood blinds, is the main reason for their high ranking among all the types of window treatments.
A range of materials starting from natural to synthetic is used for this type of window treatment. Natural materials include cotton and wood while the synthetic ones include polyester and PVC. According to the individual characteristics of each of these materials, vertical blinds can be more or less energy efficient, durable, easily maintained etc.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Wood and faux wood have proved to be very efficient insulators. Thanks to this addition to your windows, the level of energy efficiency in your home is very likely to rise while the amount of money you spend on your bills decreases. In addition, thanks to their moisture resistance ability, they are a safe option for your kitchen and bathroom where the condensation levels are pretty high.

The materials used for making vertical window blinds determine their energy efficiency levels. Although the vanes are treated with protective covering (those made of fabric), there is still a chance of mould appearance. PVC has shown a better performance in high condensation areas than the fabric ones.

MAINTENANCE
Regular maintaining of both Venetian and vertical blinds might prolong their lifespan and provide a neat and clean appearance of your windows. Occasional dusting of wood blinds is enough to remove dirt (vacuum cleaner with the part designed for treating the upholstered furniture). For a more detailed cleaning, wiping slats with a sponge soaked in water and a mild detergent should be sufficient.
Since the fabrics tend to attract a lot of dirt and dust, it is possible to wash them (check the labels on the back to see if this option is possible). More sensitive fabrics must be dry cleaned or steam washed. PVC blinds are easily cleaned with a sponge and water but the tricky part (as with the Venetians) is cleaning each vane separately which takes some time.

DURABILITY
Venetian window blinds are very durable. Their slats are can be more or less rigid and bendable, but they are still very hard to break.
Small children and pets present a potential danger to vertical window treatments in your home. They may easily tear the fabric blinds thus making their change inevitable. PVC blinds are more durable and not as easy to damage as the fabric ones which also applies to the wood blinds.

PRICE
Venetians are a more expensive option, but their durability and other advantages compensate for their higher price. A less expensive option is faux wood, similar in appearance to wood but more moisture resistant and slightly more energy efficient.

Prices may vary from more to less expensive, cheaper vertical blinds depending on the chosen material.
The choice is yours, and hopefully, it is an easy choice to make!

Visit Discount Blind Centre for more info on Venetian and Vertical Blinds. Our mission is to offer quality window blinds at discounted prices.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_Row


Blinds 4 Less
Quality Blinds, Shutters, & Shades
Proudly Serving Southern California since 1994
Free In-Home Shopping
(951) 924-9435

                                                    

The Benefits of Roller Blinds


By



Window coverings significantly impact both the style and mood of a room. Whether you want to achieve a modern, sophisticated design or a classic, elegant design, window coverings are a focal feature that set the decorating tone of a room. Many contemporary designs are offset with window blinds because they are functionally appropriate for different rooms, they can match any budget, and they are stylish. Roller blinds have been popular since the 1970s and the modern types provide an attractive addition to any room while providing flexibility, ease of operation, and durability. Indeed, there are many benefits associated with these blinds.

First and foremost, roller blinds today are aesthetically pleasing. They offer clean, simple lines that are flush to the window or wall where they are mounted. Unlike traditional window coverings, these blinds eliminate excess fabric and thereby contribute to a modern aesthetic. Because of their simplicity, these blinds fit closely to the window so they blend easily in to any room's décor. Furthermore, they are available in a wide range of colours and fabrics including translucent fabrics, sun-screening fabrics, and even black-out fabrics. This means the designer has an incredible degree of creativity when choosing roller blinds for a room. In fact, the versatility of colours, patterns, and fabrics mean that roller blinds can also be chosen to match the existing design of a room.

Another benefit of roller blinds is their flexibility. Obviously there are a range of styles that allow them to be matched to any design palate, but they're functionally flexible as well. Again, due to the wide range of fabrics and materials that roller blinds can be constructed from, these blinds are suitable for just about any room. You can install these in bathrooms, children's rooms, living spaces, and kitchens - they are an appropriate fit for any situation. Some homeowners may even choose a dual a roller blind wherein two blinds are installed on the same mount. For example, you may want complete control over the amount of light that enters a room. In this case, you can install dual sun-screening blinds and black-out blinds; sun-screen blinds allow light to pass while blocking glare and UV rays, while black-out blinds are impenetrable to light.

Roller blinds ease of operation and durability also make them a popular choice for home and business owners. Because they feature a range of operating systems from spring assisted or chain drive to fully motorized, they are a great fit in any room. They open and close easily, and with motorized blinds you can control all blinds from a central location. Plus, these blinds are especially durable as they feature strong steel tubes, high quality fabrics, and rigorously tested operating systems. Roller blinds are an attractive and lasting covering for your windows.

Find out more about the many types of blinds at Arlene's Interiors
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alex_Pupkin


Blinds 4 Less
Quality Blinds, Shutters, & Shades
Proudly Serving Southern California since 1994
Free In-Home Shopping
(951) 924-9435


How Electronic Blinds Work


By
Hunter Douglas
Electronic blinds can have some really great advantages over every other type of blind on the market. They come in a variety of materials and can even run on a preset timer so that your blinds can close automatically to protect certain rooms from sunlight by closing at certain times of the day even if you at work. In addition, they offer a small bit of security when you are gone for a long weekend, by automatically opening and shutting making would be burglars think you are at home.

Electronic blinds makes opening and closing blinds on high windows simple and convenient as well. But just exactly how do electronic blinds work? While the basic workings of these blinds are the same the exact way they work depends on the type of electronic blind you decide on getting.

All Electronic blinds have an internal motor that is located at the top of the shade. It is inside a casing so that motor does not show. Older electronic blinds needed to be hard wired right into your electrical circuits by a professional. However, today you can wall mount controls that simply plug into an outlet. You then simply push a button that either raises, lowers, or tilts the blind to let in the right amount of light for you. Some of these shades come with a built in timer, that you can preset just like you can preset your DVD to record your favorite movies or shows when you are away from home. The preset timer then raises or lowers the blind when it reaches the preset time.


Remote controlled electronic blinds are also extremely popular. These blinds make opening and shutting blinds for high windows convenient and are extremely useful to those who may have difficulty getting around or reaching up to raise and lower a blind. Remote control electronic blinds normally work from 40 to 50 feet away from the blind, use a battery operated control, and like that television remote you simply point the remote at the sensor to open or close the blind. Remote control blinds operate on different size batteries. Some use double-A, some triple-A and some use D batteries.

In addition, some remote control blinds also come with an adapter so that you can plug in the blind to your electrical system. Purchasing an electrical blind with an AC adapter may be a good idea just in case your batteries die at an inopportune time, although many of these remote controlled blinds batteries are designed to last two or three years. Experts advise that you have different remote control for blinds in each room of your home.

While electronic blinds may be somewhat more expensive than other types of blinds and window treatments they do offer many people simplicity and convenience as well as a margin of added safety. Since these blinds come in a variety of styles and colors they can easily fit and look great in most homes. Best of all there are no cords to detract from the clean lines of these blinds or pose a danger to small children.

Shutters can make a huge difference to the look and functionality of your home for better or worse, so chose carefully. To learn more about the types and applications of electronic shutters visit. Treefrog Shutters & Blinds

Blinds 4 Less
Quality Blinds, Shutters, & Shades
Proudly Serving Southern California since 1994
Free In-Home Shopping
(951) 924-9435

Updating Your Windows: Tips and Ideas


By

Windows are a key element in any home - every house has them. Depending on how you dress them they can be a design feature in a room, a focal point, an accent or a contrast. When decorating a room it can be easy to get swept up in choosing the wallpaper, carpets and furnishings, but you shouldn't overlook the windows. Updating the look of your windows can change the look and feel of a whole room. Windows should not just be seen as purely functional - only there to let light and air in - but as an important contributing factor to the style of the whole room.

Before wading in and covering your windows with swathes of fabric, you will need to take the time to consider the overall theme and style of the room. There would be no point in adding sleek and streamlined window treatments to a room that has an old-fashioned charm. Equally, hanging fussy or overly decorative window treatments in a modern or minimalistic room can ruin the aesthetic.

As well as thinking about the style of the room you should also bear in mind the functionality you will require from your windows. If you like to have your windows open to let the air in, avoid overly complicated window treatments that will only get in the way. If the windows face the west (or the south) then you may have to factor in whether you will need your window treatments to block the sun at certain times of day. Rooms that look out onto a street or a neighbour's garden may need more privacy.

Arguably the most popular form of window treatments are curtains. Changing your curtains can quickly liven up and update a room. Colour and pattern are hugely important. A high-contrast colour can work well in modern rooms and patterns can add interest. Textured fabrics can bring a degree of warmth and softness to a room that is primarily furnished with hard woods. For those with low ceilings, a vertically-striped curtain can help to add height to a room.

Curtains do not have to be full length, opaque fabrics, more and more suppliers are now offering a variety of styles. A white or sheer curtain can provide privacy during the day but will not block the light out. For a more rustic feel café-style curtains are also a good choice for those concerned with privacy. A sheer under-curtain in a bright colour can add a splash of colour to a room without being overwhelming.

A form of window treatment that works well in both modern settings and with a rustic style, are interior shutters. Wooden shutters can be a durable and low-maintenance option. Plantation shutters with adjustable slats (or 'louvres') can provide privacy while letting in the sunshine and airflow. Similarly, hand carved shutters let the light filter through an attractive pattern carved into the wood. You can paint your shutters an accent or contrasting colour, or simply leave them as they are, letting the wood finish add a measure of warmth. Shutters come in a variety of styles depending on your needs. Solid shutters can play up the architectural features of a Georgian house, while café style can provide privacy for street level rooms without losing the natural light.

It can be easy to get confused between certain types of window treatments. Valances, cornices, pelmets, swags and lambrequins do have certain aspects in common, but there are differences between them.
A valance is a fabric window treatment that spans the top of a window horizontally. They can be used to add interest to a window while concealing the window hardware. A valance can be used in conjunction with a cornice to give an old-fashioned style.

Cornices and pelmets are essentially different terms for the same type of window treatment. Like a valance, a cornice spans a window horizontally but is more structured and is usually made of wood such as MDF. Cornices can be upholstered with fabric to match the curtains or blinds.
A lambrequin is very similar to a cornice, in that it is a structured window dressing, but it comes further down the window, usually at the sides.

Swags are simply made of long pieces of hemmed fabric that are wrapped around the curtain poles. This material is then pulled down to form swags.

Choosing one or a combination of these window treatments can help to frame your window. Scalloped valances can bring an old world charm while a straight cornice can play up the modern feel of a room. A cornice fixed above a window can help to make it seem larger. Adding curves to a window treatment such as a lambrequin or a cornice can soften rooms like kitchens that are usually full of straight lines and boxes.
You may, however, want to let the window speak for itself. For modern rooms, painting windows a bright colour can really turn them into a focal point. Adding window boxes filled with greenery, flowers or herbs to the outside of a window can help to improve the view and make nature feel closer.

If you want a certain amount of privacy without bulky curtain or shutter options you can add a frosted film. These are a good option if replacing the window pane with frosted glass is too pricey. You can find films that have clear detailing and patterns and you can choose how much of the window you want to cover. It can be a useful option for renters as the film can be removed quickly and cleanly. For a slightly more ostentatious (and expensive) look you could replace the panes of smaller or side windows with stained or etched glass.
Finally, if you want to update the look of your windows, you should not forget the detailing.

 Simply replacing the catches and handles of a window can give them a new lease of life. Exchanging old window catches for brushed metal ones can help to modernise a window. Alternately, if you are going for a more classic look, antique style handles can help the window to stay in-keeping with the décor. A lick of paint on the windows will also help to freshen them up! Curtain ties do not just have to be strips of fabric; strings of beads or antique doorknobs can give a unique feel, while tasselled rope tie backs provide a more opulent look. Taking the time to decorate your windows can really help to complete the look of a room and can put new life into your house.
© Izzy Evans 2013

If you would like to find out more about wooden treatments for your windows then you should visit a shutter supplier.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Izzy_Evans


Blinds 4 Less
Quality Blinds, Shutters, & Shades
Proudly Serving Southern California since 1994
Free In-Home Shopping
(951) 924-9435


Questions to Ask Before Buying Window Treatments


By
Expert Author Valarie Baser


Besides considering budget, reducing glare and creating privacy; there are other questions to ask when selecting the right window treatments.
Do you enjoy looking outside and having sunlight come into the home?
Some of us may forget that with the wrong window treatments, it will cause us to hide inside our homes. This could affect a persons mood over time as some say that humans need some exposure to the sun. Mayoclinic.com states that, "reduced sunlight can cause a drop in serotonin that may trigger depression." So have a place in the home where you can easily enjoy some sunlight whenever you want. Also if you're the kind of person who enjoys looking at nature while being in home (especially if work from home), consider a design that will allow you to do so easily.
Are the windows the first thing you see when entering the room?
If the windows are "pictorial" type of windows that are big and dramatic; first impression means everything. So selecting a window treatment that will make you happy is important. Boring window treatments that only serve as a function is, well, boring. And remember that since these windows are big, it will take up a lot the visual interest in the space. Also think about how window treatments are seen from the outside of the home.
How will it look from the outside?
Have you ever walked down a neighborhood and have seen bedding sheets used as windows treatments? This is the best example of using something just to serve as a function, which is to create privacy and that's it. Consider an interesting design with some color or pattern. This will also affect the homes curb appeal when it comes to selling it. Thinking about how the window treatment will look from outside will help make a good choice.
Do you like natural air coming into the home?
Allowing fresh air into the home is the best way to get rid of toxins and unwanted smells. Also using fans instead of air conditioners supports an eco-friendly environment and lifestyle. So consider a design that will easily allow you to open your windows whenever you want.
What is your home decor?
If you have a traditional home with traditional style home decor then selecting treatments with that in mind will create a harmonious space. If the homes decor is rustic with elegant drapes then the overall style will be confusing and not well planned.
Which room in the house gets the most intense sun during the day?
The sun is most intense in the morning and noon. Depending on the location of the home and placement of windows, certain rooms in the home will be hotter than others because of this. So if there's a room in the home that gets the most intense sun, consider window treatments that can tolerant harsh sun rays and heat. Not silk curtains. Also remember that sun rays can also cause the fabric on sofas and hardwood used for flooring to lose its color over time.

Share with me your experiences
I'd love to hear from you. Did you wish you knew certain tips earlier and would like to share?
Visit http://www.vmdecor.com to learn more interior design and home decor ideas by Valarie Michelle Decor.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Valarie_Baser


Blinds 4 Less
Quality Blinds, Shutters, & Shades
Proudly Serving Southern California since 1994
Free In-Home Shopping
(951) 924-9435
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)