Fabric, venetian or wooden: which blind should you choose?
When choosing a window blind there are a number of factors to take into consideration, including which room the blind is for, the atmospheric conditions within the room, whether you need partial or total privacy. The information below will help you make an informed choice to selecting the right type of blinds for your home whether you’re look for vertical wooden blinds, venetian blinds or roman blinds.
Versatile Venetian Blinds
Historically the most widespread type of blinds for workplaces and homes – venetian blinds are made from a series of horizontal slats, available in different width sizes, the slats are joined together and operated by pull cords situated at one side. Smaller width slats are ideal for small windows, whereas wider slats are more suitable for large windows as they provide a clearer view to the outside world when in the slats are in open position. The operating cord gives you the ability to angle and tilt the slats, giving you complete control over the amount of light entering the room.
Venetian blinds typically remain in a lowered position, with the light adjustments made by the angling of the slats. They cover the entirety of the window irrespective of whether the slats are open or closed. If you want to expose the window's glass other types of window blinds, such as Roman and roller blinds, do this more effectively. Made to measure venetian blinds are available in a range of materials, the most common being aluminium and wood. Aluminium are ideal for rooms with humid atmospheres, such as kitchens and bathrooms, as they are less liable to warp and twist like natural wooden blinds.
Aluminium venetian blinds are available in a wide range of colour choices making them suitable to coordinate with any colour scheme. Today's modern Venetian blinds are also available with perforations in the slats. Tiny holes are made in the slats which allow light to filter through. This gives a room a superb, diffused lighting effect when the slats are closed, as ambient outside light seeps into the room. Wooden blinds are typically made in a Venetian style. Rather than aluminium they are made from natural wood and given protective coatings to help them withstand the rigours of daily use. These types of blinds are available in a choice of natural wood colours and also painted wood finishes. Natural wood colours have the ability to blend with virtually any colour scheme and style of room, more especially the paler tones of pine, beech and ash.
Fabulous Fabrics
Fabric blinds are available as roller, Roman and vertical blind styles. Roller blinds are made from specialised fabrics which enable it to be rolled tightly onto the roller. This style of blind is ideal when you want to allow as much natural light into the room as possible. When raised virtually all of the glass will be left exposed, although you do have the option of part raising them to help reduce sun glare at certain times of the day. At night the blind is lowered to give complete privacy. Blackout roller blinds are ideal for use in bedrooms as they prevent unwanted outside light from entering the room. They can also have thermal and insulating properties which help to keep your room cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, although these are only effective when the blind is fully lowered.
Roman blinds
Roman blinds are also made from a variety of fabrics, many of which are lined to give the blind dim-out or blackout properties. They can also have thermal and blackout curtain lining to help reduce heat loss during the colder months and reduce heat build-up during the warmer months. Like roller blinds these properties are only effective when the blind is fully lowered. Roman blinds are made with a single piece of fabric and have channels of tape through which cord is threaded. The blind is operated by the cord being raised and lowered. When you pull the cord to raise the blind the fabric creates a series of neat folds.
A Roman blind always has a section of fabric showing at the top when it is raised. This type of window blind is available in a wide range of plain, semi-plain and patterns, in a variety of different fabrics to compliment the style and décor of a room effortlessly. Vertical blinds are also made from fabric. They consist of taut vertical strips of fabric to create a series of vanes. The operate in a very similar way to Venetian blinds, giving you the same amount of light control and privacy. They are available in plain, semi-plain and patterned fabrics and an extensive range of colour choices. This style of blind is ideal for large walls of glass, conservatories and sliding doors. They have the ability to stack back to the left or right, to expose the glass or door for easy exit and access.
Fitting options
Roller blinds can be fitted inside or outside of the window frame. The latter gives a framed look to the window whereas the former offers a sleek, neat finish which is perfect for minimalist decorating motifs. Roman blinds can also be fitted inside or outside of the window reveal. Although fitting them inside the reveal will reduce the amount of light entering the room. Vertical and Venetian blinds are fitted onto the inside of the window reveal, close to the glass.
To summarise, the choice really is up to you when it comes to the type of blinds you desire – but, we hope this article has helped with comparison of some key blind styles.