The first thing to do when measuring for your mini blinds is to determine if you need inside mount or outside mount. Inside mount will fit the blinds within the window frame, while outside mount will fit the overlap of the window opening. There are both advantages and disadvantages to each method. It is up to you to figure out which is best for your situation.

There are three advantages of inside mounts. First, the wall space is not taken up by the blinds and they do not project into the room making it simple to use other types of window treatments in addition to the blinds. Second, if your window frame is a decorative feature it will be exposed. Blinds often look better when set into the window frame.  The window opening defines the blind, giving it a finished, clean appearance. Lastly, in deep-set windows, the treatment can be installed close to the glass, in the middle of the window depth or flush with the inside wall. A treatment next to the glass with a deep window sill can allow plants or other items to be placed on the sill.

The advantages of outside mounts are the following. The blind may be extended higher or wider that the window opening. By mounting the blind above the window, it will not obstruct light or view when drawn open. Next, the light strike will be substantially diminished by ordering and installing the blind larger than the window opening. Also, there are fewer measuring and installation limitations with an outside mount. The problem of fitting the blind into an uneven or odd shaped window is eliminated.

Disadvantages of inside mounts include a small reduction in the width and length is taken at the factory to allow for proper operating clearance of the blind. This can cause a small gap on each side of the blind, affecting the blinds ability to insulate and prevent light from entering the room. The majority of windows are not perfectly square; therefore, light strikes may emphasize the irregularity of the dimensions of the window. The stack of the blind when it is retracted will obstruct a portion of the view from the window.

Outside mounts can also be disadvantageous. It may be more difficult to layer soft window treatments over outside mount blinds because the of the blinds projection into the room. Rod extensions on the soft treatment can help but do not always solve the problem.

Vertical blinds took the decorating scene by storm back in the late 70′s and all thru the 80′s. People rushed to take down their ceiling to floor, wall to wall drapes and replaced them with vertical window blinds that went inside the window frame.

The reason for this mass exodus from drapes to vertical is in no small part due to the awesome advantages of verticals. People could now open their house up and still have privacy. Before with draperies it was open up for all to see in or shut up so no one could see in or out including the sun. They liked the fact that vertical blinds were easy to clean. When little ones in the house leave a dirty finger print on a vertical slat-no problem-a wet cloth and it’s gone. With drapes this is almost impossible.

The one big advantage that caused such a stir was the fact that verticals do not collect dust. Due to their vertical slats dust will not settle. This was a big change from the Venetian blinds that people were used to dusting almost constantly.

Versatility of placement is an advantage of vertical window blinds. They can be mounted either inside the window frame or outside, they can draw to the center or close to the center and they can be mounted one way to the right or to the left.

There are some disadvantages to vertical blinds that you should take into consideration. Verticals by themselves are rather ordinary except for the some verticals which have no trouble commanding a visitor’s attention.

The companies that manufacture vertical have tried to come up with different styles of valances to gain attention but so far there is nothing to make the vertical stand up and shout look at me.

To look its Sunday best verticals need to be surrounded by a cornice or decorative valance and a good looking set of side panel drapes.

In high winds the vanes go flying around and are not easy to control unless you use a tie back or a piece of Velcro to secure them. They used to put chains at the bottom to try and control them but that proved to be a disaster as well as an eye sore.

On the other hand if you own a rental unit, have a high traffic door way with a very busy family or just want good looking low maintenance window treatments, verticals are your window treatment of choice because they are easily maintained and have a low replacement cost.

As in every thing in life verticals have past there prime and are settling down to a very comfortable middle age. With middle age there still comes a lot of excitement but you also get a good sprinkling of wisdom. In other words, the verticals on the market today are good looking, have proved themselves for wear ability and color retention, and would stand proud and do justice to your windows and doorways.

 

 

I want Levolor blinds is the response you will get from about 20% of the people coming into a blind store. The only problem is they do not have the slightest idea what they want.

Levolor did a fantastic job of building their company name but a terrible job of associating their name with a product. The result it takes about 2 seconds to switch the customer to whatever brand of window treatments your store is featuring this month.

There is no brand loyalty because most people do not associate Levolor with any product it is just a name they felt compelled to drop.

The truth be known Levolor is a good company that manufactures a complete line of quality window treatments at fair prices. Levolor has changed their pricing structure in the last few months making levolor blinds very competitive and a good buy. If I were ready to buy any kind of window treatment I would make Levolor Blinds one of the companies I would check out first.

There products are quality products but for some reason they have failed to tell the customer and also their dealers some of the unique features they have. For instance in their woven wood line they have a unique feature with the cord mechanism that keep the blind level and straight when you raise and lower the blind. This is an industry first and should be flaunted.

Their line of 2″ Premium Wood Blinds are down rite gorgeous and definitely should be on any wood blind shopper’s must see list.

These Levolor 7/16″ Designer Double Cell Shades have a soft, yet classic look, and their cellular construction provides energy efficiency and beauty. The unique 7/16” cell size is proportional on any size window, small or large. Double cell construction traps more air to keep your home cooler or warmer when needed

They stand behind their product with a good guarantee and their service is second to none. If a levolor blinds breaks and it is within the guarantee period they fix it. No questions asked!

Here is the best place to see the Levolor line of products

Window wooden blinds have long been the symbol of strength and security. There is something about wood that illustrates trust and strength. That is why for years lawyers offices had wood blinds, wood book cases and big wood conference tables.

For years now they have been trying to imitate or duplicate the wood look. To some extent they have succeeded with the sandblasted vinyl slates of the faux wood blinds. As long as the blinds are finished with a color they look the same but they have tried and tried to get the stain colors to look natural but have failed miserably.

It is impossible to duplicate that rich grained texture that only wood has.

Wood Plantation Shutters have bragging rights when it comes to window wooden blinds. Wood shutters come on sliding tracks to clear door ways. They have 1/2 shutters, full shutters and even shutters to fill arch and lazy arch windows.

Shutters by far are the most expensive of the window wooden blinds. The exotic wood shutters are a lot more per square foot but they are nothing short of show stoppers. Some of the exotic wood shutters even come with knot holes in them.

Wood blinds come in three different sizes. 1″ wood blinds, 2″ wood blinds and 2 1/2″ to 3″ wood blinds. The most popular is the 2″ wood blind. Almost every fabricator of window wooden blinds has a discount or cheap wooden blind that they advertise.

These are the same blinds as the more costly ones; the only difference is in the lack of options.

Basswoods come in just about any color and stain that you can imagine. You can also get them without those annoying little holes that the string goes through for greater light control and more importantly greater clean ability.

If you have ever had to clean horizontal blinds then you know how difficult they are to clean. Without the holes and strings you simply slide the wood slate out, completely clean it and then just slide it back in to look awesome again.

The other type of window wooden blinds is woven woods or natural shades as some of the companies like to call them. These are what I like to call an all or none type of window treatment. Meaning that when they are let down you have total privacy but you can not see out either.

For natural wood beauty and just plain outstanding good looks natural shades are the wonderful. By using different combinations of flat woods and round wood pieces, combining them in intricate pattern and color combinations they create some patterns that are just plain gorgeous.

You can get the natural shades in top-down/bottom-up which will allow you to let light in and see out of the top portion of your windows while still maintaining your privacy.

No matter which type of window wooden blinds will serve you best, there is bound to be a color and style that will be right for your next decorating project.

 

What could be easier than to pull down your window blinds and have instant privacy or sun control? It is not complicated or hard to do. No matter if you want a fabric shade for extreme good looks or you want a weave roller to keep the glare out there is a style and price to fit every budget.

Roller shades have been used for centuries to decorate castles and cottages. By adding a decorative scalloped hem to a roller shade along with some scroll or tassel trim you have a shade that will catch your eye and hold your attention.

Do you have a good looking covered deck or patio? Then by all means get yourself some bamboo shades for privacy and atmosphere. Not only will they give you privacy and sun control they are also a party starter the minute you let them down.

There is just something about bamboo shades that causes the body to start relaxing and the stress and aggravation to leave. If your bamboo shades happen to get wet, do not worry. Just leave them down until they dry out and then roll them up again. Do not roll them up wet or they will mildew.

Let your imagination roll, think outside the box and create a one of a kind window blind shades that will be the talk of the neighborhood and gain you instant notoriety as the neighborhood decorator.

Door window blinds allow you to put on those funky clothes, make the world go away, and enjoy the solitude of you own home. No one wants to be exposed to the world, but with that gorgeous etched glass front door you need a door window blind.

Door blinds come in two types one of which is blinds that you can hang on the door and raise and lower over the exposed glass which will be discussed in this entry. The other is blinds that are encased in glass which fit in the opening on the door.

With the exception of verticals and vertical type blinds all other type of blinds can be mounted on the door and lowered to give you privacy.

The vertical type will swing too much at the bottom when you open the door, and then will get caught between the door and jam when you close them.

Solid blinds like roman shades, roller shades and double cell honeycomb shades will give you privacy but will limit your ability to see out. You only have one set of options privacy or no privacy.

Slatted blinds such as wood blinds, fauxwood blinds and mini blinds allow you the option of having privacy yet tilting the slats in such a way as to let light in, see out and still have privacy.

Regardless of which type you choose, there are other considerations you should be aware of. In order to maintain privacy your blind should be a minimum of two inches wider than the glass, although three inches would be better if you have the room. If the blinds are smaller than this people will be able to see in from the side.

Check the distance from the door handle to the frame. You need to have enough room for the door window blinds to fit between (a two inch blind needs two inches, a one inch blind needs one inches, etc).

When you order your blinds make sure you order hold down brackets. These attach the bottom of the shades to the door and eliminate the blind flopping around when you open and close the door.

The choices of color and style are as varied as the people looking at them. You should be able to get the exact color and style you want. Do not choose a blind just because someone else has one. Choose it to serve your wants and needs.

 

Woven wood shades are what their name suggests. They are wood shades that look as though they are woven and give that tranquil and soothing feel of a mat like natural feel. They come in bamboo, grass cloth and or matchstick blinds. These shades create a natural aura and at the same time give a soothing feel to the atmosphere while giving the surroundings a personal style and contemporary look.

They are casual with a classy look and come with all the features of regular blinds while lending privacy to the home. If your decor has rattan furniture or is wood theme based then this is a good alternative since it is not a heavily wood window covering but at the same time it does not work away from the basic decor of your home’s interior. They give a sophisticated and classy look without weighing heavily on your wallet or on the look of the home. This is a good alternative for the traditional wood blinds.

Arches and angles in windows can be tricky areas to find the right window coverings for. The latest advancements in the window covering industry seem to have an answer to practically any problem be it arched or angled windows, hard to reach areas like skylights, or solutions for windows with a view like bay windows.

 The arched window coverings can be movable or fixed and come in a range of materials from wood to fabric. These arched blinds define the window and accentuate the room that they are in, while giving it all the functional qualities that are attributed to regular window blinds. Apart from the fact that they are arched and angled these blinds are no different from other blinds when considering light control, privacy or style.

Sheer shades or blinds are a good alternative when considering window treatment or door treatment for large windows or sliding doors such as bay windows and French windows.  These are an efficient solution since they combine the aesthetic look of sheer panels while also combining it with the light control feature of traditional vertical blinds. Their form and functionality brings out the best in sheers that impart an airy elegance and at the same time they also have the light control feature of vertical blinds, with the easy operating mechanism that is seen in regular vertical blinds.

The light control is also effective since it diffuses the harsh light and softens it for sheer effect. At the same time you can control the amount of light filtered in by simply rotating the vanes without having to open or draw the panels with the use of light dimming or filtering fabric. They can also come with remote operating facility for hard to reach areas. Off course that comes at a steeper price than regular shades, but with a classy and sophisticated look. The shades have fabric vanes that can accommodate the amount of light penetration that is required, can be regulated like regular wood vanes and can function like regular blinds. They come with regular as well as additional options for light control.

Vertical blinds are the most popular solution in most homes. If vertical blinds seem monotonous or mundane then the blind industry has alternatives to vertical blinds, which do not have to be expensive either. Some of the more popular alternatives to the vertical blinds are vertiglide; sheer verticals and sheer weave panel track blinds. Vertiglide vertical blinds are a good way of covering sliding doors or bay windows or French windows.

They provide a clean contemporary modern look to your home while providing light and sound control to the room. They also are easy to clean and reduce heating and cooling costs while reducing noise. This alternative comes with a cord free solution and can help in preventing injury to small children. The vertiglide pleat system is a good choice since it comes as a patented energy efficient design with the honeycomb structure that traps air and insulates the interiors from the weather, be it the heat or the cold.

They come in varieties that combine the fabric like look and give the appearance of blinds that make for a stunning result. Sheer vertical blinds on the other hand come with the soft drapery look but provide the form and function of traditional vertical blinds. If you are covering hard to reach areas then they come with the remote operating option and control light filtration. Panel track blinds will instantly remind you of a Japanese look and are like vertiglide window treatments and come with a wide variety of colors and styles. These three could be a good alternative if you are looking for some twist to your window treatment.

Roller blinds or roll up blinds have been used for a long time and are a cost effective solution to a budget oriented window treatment. Roller blinds are a traditional type of window covering but with a touch of technology and innovativeness these shades are now able to impart a clean modern and contemporary look without losing any of the old advantages. They come in different styles and colors, both bold and print and are good for someone who is working with a tight budget.

Roll up blinds are available with decorative trim styles or fabric trims these blinds have a beaded chain loop or a spring lift method of operation which can be kid friendly and can come with all the safeties of other blinds that are used for children’s room. They are foremost cost effective. Roller blinds come in different custom designed models to filter the amount of light or having different kinds of lifts to cover or enhance some feature.

Pleats are permanent folds that come on the fabric which are pressed into the fabric body. Pleated shades are a good solution to give you the right amount of light while also providing a sheer or semi-sheer feel to the blinds. They can enhance their quality depending on your choice by adding liners to traditional pleated blinds. They come in rich colors and add a statement to the room and to the decor. While they do not hold their own against the regular cellular shades they are good alternative to them on the cost effect issue. Although they do not provide so much versatility as the cellular shades; they make do in texture and other departments of function.

Pleated shades are made mostly of soft fabric. These offer a stylish yet simple and functional solution to window treatments without all the trappings of other cost included shades. They filter natural light and if the light control needs to be higher then liners can be added to suit your style. They come in a variety of colors and fold neatly when raised up. They come with cords since they are a single layer of fabric so the cords can be one compromise as they score on the budget scale.

While choosing blinds it may be good to look for something that suits not only your decor but also reflects your style and taste. Aluminum mini blinds are one of the solutions for window treatments when you are looking for an alternative to wood blinds or regular window drapes. These blinds have all the features of regular blinds but they also help in another aspect that they provide a neat and clean modern look.

 These blinds are a good solution for a budget oriented decor buyer. They are cost effective, durable and come with a clean contemporary look. If this is the solution for a child’s room or a toddler’s room it is a good alternative since they come with a cordless option for child safety. They are available in a variety of colors and they come with an option of having two colored sides or a single colored side.

 They provide maximum light control and the blinds can come in mini, micro or macro sizes. The bigger the slat size the more durable the slat and that means a lower chance of damage or less a chance of denting or bending. These blinds are easy to clean and maintain. They are also available with all of the other features of blinds like the route less and cordless features. Slats can look white on the outside and have another color on the inside to match your decor.

Professional installation of vertical blinds for most is the ideal situation. This is particularly true if climbing up and down ladders while trying to juggle multiple tools, rods, strings, and blinds does not sound like a fun way to spend an afternoon. Part of the reason that this is such an undertaking is that many vertical blind tracks are designed for windows that are quite large and often unwieldy. This makes this project a bit difficult for one person to handle alone. For longer blind tracks there is another issue involved and that is trying to hang them levelly. This can be a particular challenge for one person to attempt alone. If you do not hang them just right you run the risk of your blinds not closing.

 If that were not complicated enough, the very slats on blinds can be problematically long and impossible to handle while balance on a ladder without assistance. You also run the risk of cutting your hands on the hooks that are used in order to support that blinds. If you decide you must hang the blinds yourself rather than opting for a professional installation you should at least take the precaution of wearing protective work gloves in order to protect your hands. You might also consider wearing goggles to protect your eyes as the edges of the blinds can offer projectile problems that could result in vision loss.

 If you have custom ordered your vertical blinds, chances are that the company you ordered them from will offer installation services either as a courtesy at no charge or for a rather minor charge. If the blinds you have purchased are motorized you should definitely choose for professional help with the installation. It is quite possible to install the remote that controls the blinds yourself on the other hand. This part is as simple as connecting a telephone jack.

 Vertical blinds offer an astonishing assortment of materials from which to select (wood, metal, and polyvinyl) so you should have no problem finding excellent vertical blinds to match your décor. You can use vertical blinds for both the purpose of making a small room appear much larger as well as making a vast room seem cozy. You should keep in mind that while vertical blinds are an elegant touch, they are not appropriate or even practical for all rooms. This is particularly true of rooms in which children and small pets congregate.

Faux wood blinds lend the same wood blind feel to the decor but are actually not wood blinds but are a smart alternative. Wood blinds lend a classy and rich feel to the decor and are also effective window treatments but they are hard to maintain and come at an expensive price. Faux wood blinds on the other hand have the look and the feel of wood but come at a lower cost and have other options that wood blinds are limited to.

 They come in a variety of colors and are easier to maintain than regular wood blinds. Faux wood blinds are good for regions where there is a lot of humidity, since they do not wear and tear as easily as wood blinds. They are good in high traffic areas where there is a lot of activity and also in rooms that have high moisture levels like the bathroom or the laundry room. At the same time they are a cost effective solution without compromising on the style and classy modern look.

 The Faux blinds come with features like curved slats for minimal light penetration and maximum protection whereas the flat slats provide a clean and regular look. Faux wood blinds can be customized to suit your needs like route less blinds or faux wood blinds with cloth tapes, which have zero light leakage. They are slightly heavier than wood blinds if you choose the PVC faux wood blinds but the composite faux wood blinds are also highly recommended with the regular faux wood blind features.

    Skylights give the room that classy look and are a good means of ventilation but at the same time they can also be the source of harsh sunlight that can be severe and penetrating. Skylights were not treated as a window, but with changing trends in decor and decorating styles they are now viewed as a window and are also being used as a object for window treatments.

     Skylight shades come in forms that help filter the light of which regular blinds options are used and can be manually operated if they are reachable or motorized depending on how far or high it is for function. Covering skylights can be a cost effective solution since they help save energy by lowering heating and cooling costs. They efficiently control light in the rooms and reduce noise. Now with the motorized option they can be used in hard to reach places, also.