Have you been looking for new blinds, but are not sure which style of blind would look the best in your windows? With so many styles to choose from it can be a little confusing deciding which will bring functionality to your space as well as adding style to your room.
Blinds really can provide a versatile and modern alternative to curtains in your home. With clean lines, not only do they look stylish, but they are ideal for providing light control and privacy in rooms like bathrooms and bedrooms.
Let’s take a look at the different types of blinds available.
Roller Blinds
A simple and effective choice when looking for blinds for your home. Roller Blinds are easy to install and are great at controlling the light entering the room. Anything from a sheer fabric, which filters the light providing privacy and reducing UV, to a blackout fabric that blocks the light completely. Note- It is only the fabric that is blackout and there will usually be leakage around the sides and top of the blind). They come in many different designs and patterns. You can choose colours and patterns that complement your décor or have a bit of fun and make a statement with bold colours and patterns. Many fabrics can be laminated and used for roller blinds so if you have a favourite curtain or bedspread, you could have a roller blind made in the same fabric.
Roller blinds can be lowered and raised using a chain on one side, spring-loaded or motorised – activated locally by a handset or remotely by phone app through a home automation system.
Vertical Blinds
Vertical Blinds are made of fabric vertical slats allowing you to control the light and privacy of a room by how much they are tilted. They can also be pulled back fully, (the vanes can be split equally on both sides or all stacked to left or right. Stacking to one side means you can open a window or door on the other without the vanes blowing around in the wind. Vertical Blinds are a great choice for patio doors, allowing for the door to be opened without the blind getting in the way. They can also be used to provide privacy on sloping windows where other types of blind would not work.
There is a wide range of plain and patterned fabrics to chose from and you can even mix colours – perhaps a blind in team colours for a football fan!
The blind is controlled either by a cord (draw) and chain (tilt) on one side or a wand connected to one of the centre vanes.
The vanes are held vertical by weights and chains in the bottom. If children or pets are likely to damage the chains then the weights can be sewn in. Stylish wooden bottom bars offer a distinctive alternative to the standard weights and chains.
One disadvantage of a vertical blind is that the vanes can take up most of the window cill so you may need to find somewhere else for your ornaments.
Venetian Blinds
Featuring horizontal slats which can be tilted for privacy and to control how much light is coming into a room, Venetian Blinds are generally made from wood, faux wood or metal. Metal blinds are very versatile and practical. Wooden blinds add instant warmth and style to any room. Different slat sizes are available – 15mm, 25mm, 35mm, 50mm and 63mm. The blinds with wider slats have fewer vanes and let more light in when the blind is open. The slats are usually held in position by string ladders although co-ordinating tapes are available on wood and faux wood blinds.
Blackout Blinds
The most common Blackout Blind is actually a Roller Blind that uses a special blackout fabric for the blind itself. Perfect for bedrooms as they block out a lot of light, meaning less disturbed sleep caused by bright light coming in through the window. “Blackout” only refers to the fabric. There will be light leakage around the sides and over the top unless the blind is housed in a cassette. Light leakage can be reduced if the blind is fitted outside the recess so that the fabric overlaps the top, sides and bottom. The best way to reduce light leakage to the minimum is to fit a blind where the roller is enclosed in a cassette and the sides and bottom bar are held in channels fitted with brushes. The closer you get to “Blackout” the more noticeable any pinprick of light will be. A good compromise is to have a blind inside the recess with curtains on either side and a pelmet over the top.
Duplex Blinds
Similar to a Roller Blind, a Duplex Blind works in a two-phase way. The fabric has alternate solid and sheer panels allowing for a full sheer blind, a complete blackout blind, or a combination of the two to be created. Great for creating a modern feel to any room.
Perfect Fit Blinds
Perfect Fit Blinds clip directly to the window frame, they are specifically designed to use in UPVC windows, so they are the perfect choice for conservatories and doors around your home. Allowing you to open your doors and windows whilst still keeping your blinds closed.
Pleated Blinds
Pleated Blinds are a stylish choice for any home. The blind can be completely drawn up to the top of your window, giving you an unobstructed view out of your window. They can also be pulled half down to block out the sun and light from coming through. The blinds can come in a variety of different colours to compliment the decor of your room. The blinds work by trapping heat, so keeping your room cool in the summer months and warm during the winter period.
If you would love to have bespoke, made to measure blinds for your home, Chosen Curtains can help. We offer a completely free measuring and design service which will help ensure you find the best way to get your room looking and feeling exactly how you like, with perfectly fitting blinds.
If you have any queries or questions, we can help you with please feel free to contact us using our contact form or by calling us on 01452 551846.