Window Blinds: History And Types

Window blinds have so many different kinds of materials and colors. Today, their uses are for privacy, blocking the sunlight, and keeping heat from coming out during colder seasons.

There are records that the ancient people use window blinds too. Although they are different in terms of form, they basically have the same function.

People living in the desert use wet cloths to cover their windows. The wet cloths were used to cool off their houses and block sunlight from coming in. The ancient Egyptians and Chinese uses blinds to avoid from being seen from outside, thus giving a sense of privacy.

The Egyptians uses reeds strung together while the Chinese uses bamboos. However, bamboos are still being used as materials for making blinds. It is commonly seen in Asian countries.

It is said that the Venetian blinds came from Persia. Wherein, the traveling Venetian traders brought the blinds to Venice and Paris. Thus, these 2 countries were credited for as the inventors of the Venetian blinds.

During the 1950s, the Venetian blinds were made of 2 inches wide metal slats and were hang with fabric strips. The fabric strips are the ones that control the lowering, raising, and tilting of the metal slats.

These types of new blind were known to be noisy and offer less aesthetics to a room. Then in the 1980s, the metal slats were replaced with one inch wide vinyl slats. And because of the ease in manufacturing Vinyl slats, they became the standard choice of window blinds.

There are so many types of window blinds being manufactured today. Because of this, you can buy your window blinds according to the style of you home or office.

Bamboo Blinds
These blinds are made of bamboos and they are woven with rattan, reeds, and other natural grasses. It gives off a relaxing and inviting atmosphere to any room.

If your home or office is oriental themed, then choosing bamboo blinds is the best way to go. Bamboo blinds are easy to install, very durable, and eco-friendly.

Bali Blinds
These type of blinds totally blocks off any light coming in from any room. They are good energy savers because they reduce heat during hot season and insulate a room during cold season.

Roller Blinds
It is one of the most stable and efficient blinds out in the market. Roller blinds can be customized to fit any window size. They are also the most common type of blinds installed in homes and offices.

They come in various fabric choices like mesh fabrics, cotton, and polyester. This allows you to choose the color and fabric you want. Roller blinds are easy to assemble and install, easy to clean, and accumulates very little dust.

Wood Blinds
This type of blinds is crack resistant. Most manufacturers use hard wood. This blind have a wide range of finishes giving off a rich, warm, and inviting atmosphere. It also makes your space feel alluring and cozy.

Mini Blinds
They are also known as Venetian blinds. This type of blinds is a practical choice for homes because they offer the same functions as what other blinds offers but at a low cost. Mini blinds are durable and easy to install.

Mini blind slats are made of PVC or aluminum. Because of these materials, there is a wide variety of choices when it comes to colors giving you more choices to choose from.

Vinyl Blinds
Vinyl blinds are less expensive so they are popular. They are water and moisture resistant. Although they come in various colors, they cannot be used in larger rooms because of their constant size.

Vinyl blinds are not the most elegant blinds in the world. So, styling your house with these kinds of blinds is nearly impossible. They are best used in humid and wet areas of your house.

Vertical Blinds
This type of blinds is less likely to damage from strong winds. They are energy efficient and good insulators. Some vertical blinds are motorized. There are even automated blinds that adjust itself according to the time of the day.

Vertical blinds are less expensive and they are very trendy. They have minimal dust build up and come in many different materials, style, fabric, and color.

When you choose window blinds for your home and office, keep in mind the theme of your house, office, and you budget. Choose the materials of the blinds wisely.

Window Blinds And Shades

Beautiful Window Treatment Designs

An easy and relatively low cost way to offer a room a small make-over is to add window treatments. A window can be much more to look at than simply a pane of glass and the outside. By adding components like curtains, drapes, blinds, shades or shutters, you can transform your window into a real center point of the room, even a bathroom.

There are numerous sources you may use to find discount window treatments to meet your needs, such as the web, magazines, or going to your neighborhood do it yourself retailer.

Curtains and drapes can give your room a softer, pleasant look. They also have numerous functions aside from appearance. Insulated drapes, for instance, help keep the temperature more stable in your house while blackout drapes keep the sunshine AND heat out. If you discover bargains on these, you'll REALLY score because not only are you going to spend less on your curtains but you will not spend as much on your electric bill too!

If blinds or shades are more to your liking, there is a variety of designs to choose from that is certain to suit your budget and style. Even remote-controlled motorized blinds can be found in this day of technical revolutions. For the eco-friendly individual, bamboo or wood blinds can achieve a relaxed, spiritual effect for any area.

Make sure you get an adequate amount of data on window blinds and shades when beginning your project.

Plantation shades are gaining popularity as homeowners realize the stylishness of organic wood. Their simple, yet classic look, along with the usefulness of insulation and seclusion make these shades a pleasant improvement to any area. They can be installed for, practically, any kind of window, from the beautiful angled bay window to the architecturally developed arched window.

It's wise to watch for sales and discounts on various kinds of window treatments from brand named companies like Hunter Douglas. You might have a limited budget, but it's not necessary to give up quality when there are opportunities to be discovered with a bit of research.

Vertical Blinds: The Modern Window Blinds

In your search for a new window covering for your home, vertical blinds are an excellent choice for a quick appearance change. They work extremely well for any window size or shape. Easily customizable, they can be found in any arrangement you desire. They are also easily attainable from any store with a home improvement or decorating section.

Blinds are an excellent option for any home, giving a modern and well-kept appearance to your living space. They are pleasing to the eye yet easy to install and maintain. Because they are easy to find, most home improvement stores will have a large selection of styles and sizes. If you have custom windows in your home, many stores will trim them on-site to match your specifications, and many will be able to do so while you wait. Installation is simple, and takes an average of 30 minutes or less. If you wish to have them installed, many retail establishments also offer an option to have a professional take care of it for you.

Depending on your budget, you have a wide variety of options for your window coverings. At the lowest end of the cost spectrum you have plastics and molded vinyl. At a slightly higher cost you can obtain fabric panels, perfect for larger picture windows and French doors. For an extremely high premium, you can also get solid wood panels.

The four most common materials for your blinds are vinyl, fabric, wood or manufactured wood, and perforated panels. Fully customizable to fit any need, they can be cut to length, or have more stylistic designs cut into the panels themselves. They are also available in a wide array of colors, and a match for currently existing decor is easily found.

If you are searching to have an install done quickly, vinyl blinds are the best options. They are easily found, simple to install, yet still appealing to the eye. In addition, they are a very cost-conscious option, and sport a high level of durability. For households with small children or pets, vinyl is easy to clean and inexpensive to replace in case of damage.

If you desire a slightly more elegant option, say for an entry hall or guest area, fabric panels are also available. These window blinds usually have less emphasis based on privacy and concealment, with their primary goal being to decorate and accentuate existing features. These panels are usually placed in entryways with small vertical windows, picture windows, or French doors. If you still desire more privacy, many fabric options are available with a backing to help maintain your confidentiality.

The most expensive option are blinds made of solid wood paneling. These are not readily available, and must usually be custom ordered for your home. Installation is also a bit more difficult, as an installation kit will most likely not be available. When you install this type of panel, be ready for your windows to be the focus of your guest's attention, so make sure to treat them with extra care and maintain them well.

For any purpose you can imagine, vertical blinds are available for you. They are simple to install and take care of, yet have an immense range of options to make your home look and feel just the way you want. As an added bonus, if any issues ever come up, you can easily find replacement parts at a nearby home improvement store, so you will never be left without your blinds working as if they were brand new.