Window Blinds Buying Guide

There are many different ways to dress up your windows to make them look good. Curtains and drapes are the traditional methods adopted for dressing windows. The newer and more functional form of dressing up your windows is by using window blinds and shades.

Window blinds come in many types and materials. Each type has a unique advantage. The different materials generally used are wood, plastic, aluminum, faux wood and fabric. Each of these materials can be used to make window blinds in different styles like mini blinds, wooden blinds, vertical blinds and faux wood blinds. Some styles are purely decorative while others are highly functional. Different styles address different needs and the type of window blinds you choose should match your needs perfectly.

The material used to make the window blinds and the size of the slats(pieces of material that make up the blinds) is what differentiates one type of window blind from the other. Some manufacturers offer to make your blinds with a ‘blackout’ feature. This in simple terms means that overlapping slats will be used to ensure that no light enters the room when the blinds are closed. This feature can prove very practical for bedroom windows, especially when you try to catch up on sleep in the daytime.
 

Mini Blinds Mini blinds are one of the most practical and versatile styles of window blinds. The usual materials used to make mini blinds are vinyl, wood, and aluminum. Mini blinds are ideal for small and medium-sized windows. They can be used practically anywhere in the house- the living room, bedrooms, study or even the bathrooms. Hunter Douglas, Bali and Levolor are among the most popular manufacturers in the mini blinds section. Many manufacturers offer to make custom mini blinds for uniquely shaped windows.

The least expensive window blinds are vinyl blinds. However, do remember that the slats will be thin and can sag easily. Frequent usage can lead to a breakdown of the operating mechanism too. Vinyl blinds are a good choice if you are renting and expect to move out to another place soon. Mini vinyl blinds are a perfect choice for those on the move.

If your needs are simple and you have a small budget, then aluminum mini window blinds are the perfect choice for you. These window blinds are not very expensive and are made in several contemporary styles in innumerable colors. Aluminum blinds are easy to operate and thus you can let in light or block it, without much fuss. Aluminum blinds are generally made in ½ inch, 1 inch and 2 inch slat sizes. There are hundreds of colors to choose from to match any living space. A choice of different finishes like brushed, hammered and metallic, increases the number of choices available for customers.

Faux Wood Blinds Faux wood blinds are for those who love the look created by real wood blinds but find those too expensive to indulge in. Faux wood blinds are inexpensive, durable and highly resistant to stains. They are easy to keep clean. The best part is that faux wood blinds are impervious to humidity, so they can be safely used in bathrooms and kitchens too. Faux wood blinds are made using a wood-polymer mix or pure polymer. This explains their ability to withstand humidity. They do not fade, warp or give way to cracks either. Faux wood blinds are not a very practical choice for very large windows. When fitted out for large sized windows, they become too heavy to operate with ease. So, do remember, light material should be used to make blinds for large windows.

Vertical Blinds Sliding patio doors and French doorways look elegant when fitted with vertical blinds. Vertical blinds can be made using fabric, sheer, hardwood or faux wood. Most manufacturers offer vertical blinds in several different shapes to suit unique windows. Manufacturers like Kirsch, Levolor, Prestige, Hunter Douglas and Aveno make custom vertical blinds as per customer specifications. When vertical blinds are installed in the right way, they look very graceful.

Manufacturers also offer additional features like magnetic controls, motorized controls and remote controls. These controls make vertical blinds very easy to open and close, enabling the user to control both light filtration and privacy with ease. Vertical blinds are very easy to clean. Those of you who love drapes but avoid them due to maintenance hassles, will find fabric vertical blinds perfect. Fabric vertical blinds give you a combination of drapery effect with the ease of operation of blinds. Compared to custom draperies, fabric vertical blinds are the better value for your money. A similar look at a lower price is a great package for vertical blinds.

Wood Blinds The use of wood blinds adds a warm natural tone to your room. Wood blinds are a wonderful option if you want to give your room a warm feeling and a look of natural beauty. Wood blinds have the unique ability to blend in with any kind of décor. Light filtering in from wooden blinds seems to have an almost ethereal quality about it. Those who cannot opt for wood for some reason, but are not willing to settle for blinds made from other materials either, will find faux wood blinds a good option. Like wood blinds, faux wood blinds also blend into almost any décor. They are durable and energy efficient too.

Window blinds can be fitted with either an inside or an outside mount. An inside mount means that the window blind will fit into the window frame. If you want the window blinds to cover the window frame also, then you will need to have an outside mount.

Once you have decided how you want your window blinds to be mounted, you can measure the width and height and send it to the manufacturer. Following industry standards of measurement is the best way to get a perfect fit for your window blinds.

As per standard industry practices, measurements are always given as width X height. A measurement that reads 40 inches X 60 inches means that the width is 40 inches and the height, 60 inches. If you have chosen to have an inside mount, measure the window opening and record your measurements. For an outside mount, give due allowance for any hardware or overhang that you want installed.

Always give measurements to the nearest eighth of an inch, never round off measurements to the next inch. Most manufacturers advocate the use of a steel tape measure for accurate measurements.

If you are buying from a local store, their services might include a visit by a technician for measurement. However, if you are buying online, then you are on your own. All manufacturers provide detailed instructions for measuring accurately. Read the instructions carefully before you take the measurements.

Cleaning your window blinds in the manner recommended by the manufacturer will ensure that your window blinds remain in peak condition for several years. The manner and frequency recommended by the manufacturer should be scrupulously followed.

Aluminum and vinyl blinds should be cleaned with a feather duster or a soft vacuum attachment. You can also call for professional help if there is an accumulation of dust of grease on your window blinds.

If you have wooden blinds installed in your home, remember that water should never come into contact with these blinds. Feather dusters and soft vacuum attachments on a regular basis are generally enough, if cleaning is done periodically. Cleaning products should be avoided if possible. Faux wood blinds can be cleaned using mild cleaners.

Fabric blinds can be blotted with a wet sponge in addition to light dusting and vacuuming. Vertical blinds are the easiest to care for, as they do not accumulate too much dust due to their vertical position. Light dusting and mild cleaners on a regular basis will keep your vertical blinds looking new and fresh for several years.

Most manufacturers offer installation services and may charge you for them depending upon the kind of installation that is required. However, Do-It-Yourself enthusiasts can install window blinds on their own by following instructions carefully and equipping themselves with the right kind of tools.

Most stores offer generic brands to those looking for blinds on a tight budget. Many stores offer to make custom blinds according to specifications within specified price ranges. In addition to generic brands, stores also stock blinds made by top manufacturers.

Generic brands are generally inexpensive when it comes to standard sizes. Just $15 in hand can get you a 23 inch X 72 inch window blind made with jute. Jute blinds allow light to filter in while screening the window in a discreet manner. Jute blinds to fit slightly larger windows can be purchased for around $20. Roll-up blinds made of bamboo are also available in this price range. Vinyl blinds with 2 inch slats can be yours for $19-$22. Wide-slat faux wood blinds can be yours if you are willing to spend up to $30. Brands like WoodPlus and Prestige bring you elegant faux wood blinds.

Global Home, Royal, Century, Oriental Furniture, Bali Blinds and Domestications are a few manufacturers that offer window blinds that you will find in the $30 price range. Paper and bamboo blinds with an oriental touch are popular picks in this category.

Go slightly higher up the price ladder and you can indulge yourself with button-up canvas blinds in eye-catching colors. Canvas blinds from Park B. Smith come in delectable colors. Bamboo blinds that fit larger windows can be bought in the $35- $45 price range. Lewis Hyman blinds give customers a wide choice of bamboo blinds. Be willing to spend up to $60 and you can get good quality fabric, vinyl or faux wood blinds for large windows.

Going into the next price range of $45 and above, you get to see window blinds from top names in the industry. Hunter Douglas, Bali and Levolor are two companies that are highly competitive in this market.

A branded 24 inch X 72 inch fabric blind can grace a small window if your budget is $35-$40. Blinds that use fancy fabric like Chinese fabric or specially treated fabric can cost $40-$75 for a standard medium sized window. Prices go up as window sizes increase and other specifications are added. Most online stores offer a quick price calculator that enables you to get a quote as per your size requirement. Choice of color displays are also made available so that customers can decide and place orders easily from their homes. Most manufacturers offer to send samples so that customers can make a decision based on feel and texture also.

Wood blinds and sheer blinds made by the top brands like Hunter Douglas, Bali and Levolor are the most expensive in this category. Sleek basswood blinds, and sheer blinds that give a quaint ethereal look can be yours if you have the cash to spare.

All the top manufacturers make all types of blinds in standard sizes. Top-of-the-line manufacturers are also open to the idea of making good quality, custom blinds given a large enough order.

Levolor
Hunter Douglas
Park B. Smith 
Bali Blinds

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