Often consumers visit their local window coverings store, or their web stores, to select a type of covering for the windows in their home or office. The visit will start with the customer entering the store and approaching the salesperson in the store, "I am looking for window treatments for my home." Then the salesperson in the store will push what is giving him the highest commission, or what they think is the easiest choice for the customer to make, thus leading to a quick sale.
Sometimes these salespeople will offer only the lowest cost items to get the easiest sale. Other times, they will show the most expensive products, thinking that the customer will not know where else to be educated regarding window treatments. The search for information about the many and various types of blinds starts here in this article, where we will discuss the correct names of several types that one can purchase.
Most blinds are called by the name that describes what they are. Let's take a little time to learn about these different names. In other articles, we will discuss how to use them, and the benefits of each kind.
Horizontal blinds have slats that are horizontal, or side to side. These come in several varieties, and the names for these are usually based on the material from which they are manufactured. When made from metal, they are usually made from aluminum these days, so these can be called aluminum blinds. (These were traditionally called venetian blinds, and this name is still used in the industry.) Other types of horizontals are made from wood, so these are called wood blinds. There are also fake, or faux wood products used in horizontals, and these are called faux wood blinds. Some people choose basic plastic slat material for their louvers, and this material is correctly called PVC, so these are called PVC horizontal blinds.
Vertical blinds are those that have the material running up and down, or hanging (vertically) from a track. Vertical blinds can be made from fabric- so they get the name fabric vertical blinds. Others made be made from aluminum, and these are called aluminum vertical blinds. Aluminum vertical blinds are not sold often anymore, but they are still out there. Then, there is plastic, again using PVC, to make PVC verticals. Those made from PVC used to be the least expensive type, but recent changes have meant that only entry level PVC verticals are the lowest prices.
Then, one can consider what is a micro or mini blind? These are made from aluminum, and they are smaller than the traditional Venetians. How much smaller you might ask? Well, if Venetians (and wood or faux wood blinds) are 2 inches deep, then the minis are 1 inch deep. Micros are even smaller at half of an inch deep.
The above are the basic types of blinds out there, but there are some specialty styles to consider. These start with skylight, motorized and between the panes. We will discuss these types a little.
Skylight blinds are just what you would think. These are made for skylights. Usually these are small treatments, and often minis, which use specialty control systems. When used in skylights, window treatments need to be controlled differently than regular window coverings.
Motorized blinds can be any of the types of products we already discussed, but are motorized. These motors are getting more affordable, and can have increasing amounts of functions, including control over the internet.
Between the panes blinds are made to function inside a window, or a door. Some innovative manufacturers of glass materials are now leaving open spaces in their windows, and some are selling integrated window treatments between the glass for these windows. These are usually low functioning mini blinds, and they are quit a lot more expensive than simply buying a regular window and standard minis. The convenience factor of cleaning and protection of them have made them worth a look for some who are replacing windows.
Educating yourself about the correct names for the types of blinds in the stores or for sale on the websites will dramatically help you find what you are looking for. Ask for them by name, and ask about options or alternatives. You never know what you will see. The window treatments industry has many innovative products coming our regularly.
Sometimes these salespeople will offer only the lowest cost items to get the easiest sale. Other times, they will show the most expensive products, thinking that the customer will not know where else to be educated regarding window treatments. The search for information about the many and various types of blinds starts here in this article, where we will discuss the correct names of several types that one can purchase.
Most blinds are called by the name that describes what they are. Let's take a little time to learn about these different names. In other articles, we will discuss how to use them, and the benefits of each kind.
Horizontal blinds have slats that are horizontal, or side to side. These come in several varieties, and the names for these are usually based on the material from which they are manufactured. When made from metal, they are usually made from aluminum these days, so these can be called aluminum blinds. (These were traditionally called venetian blinds, and this name is still used in the industry.) Other types of horizontals are made from wood, so these are called wood blinds. There are also fake, or faux wood products used in horizontals, and these are called faux wood blinds. Some people choose basic plastic slat material for their louvers, and this material is correctly called PVC, so these are called PVC horizontal blinds.
Vertical blinds are those that have the material running up and down, or hanging (vertically) from a track. Vertical blinds can be made from fabric- so they get the name fabric vertical blinds. Others made be made from aluminum, and these are called aluminum vertical blinds. Aluminum vertical blinds are not sold often anymore, but they are still out there. Then, there is plastic, again using PVC, to make PVC verticals. Those made from PVC used to be the least expensive type, but recent changes have meant that only entry level PVC verticals are the lowest prices.
Then, one can consider what is a micro or mini blind? These are made from aluminum, and they are smaller than the traditional Venetians. How much smaller you might ask? Well, if Venetians (and wood or faux wood blinds) are 2 inches deep, then the minis are 1 inch deep. Micros are even smaller at half of an inch deep.
The above are the basic types of blinds out there, but there are some specialty styles to consider. These start with skylight, motorized and between the panes. We will discuss these types a little.
Skylight blinds are just what you would think. These are made for skylights. Usually these are small treatments, and often minis, which use specialty control systems. When used in skylights, window treatments need to be controlled differently than regular window coverings.
Motorized blinds can be any of the types of products we already discussed, but are motorized. These motors are getting more affordable, and can have increasing amounts of functions, including control over the internet.
Between the panes blinds are made to function inside a window, or a door. Some innovative manufacturers of glass materials are now leaving open spaces in their windows, and some are selling integrated window treatments between the glass for these windows. These are usually low functioning mini blinds, and they are quit a lot more expensive than simply buying a regular window and standard minis. The convenience factor of cleaning and protection of them have made them worth a look for some who are replacing windows.
Educating yourself about the correct names for the types of blinds in the stores or for sale on the websites will dramatically help you find what you are looking for. Ask for them by name, and ask about options or alternatives. You never know what you will see. The window treatments industry has many innovative products coming our regularly.
Judith Persit is an interior designer specializing in window treatments. Judith writes about vertical blinds. Learn more regarding blinds at her website.
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