Window blinds are more than just shading

Vertical Window blinds are a choice that many people make when they are considering window coverings for their homes. They are a very practical way to deal with your windows and can offer more benefit that just beauty to your décor.

Shade blinds are one of the most effective ways we have of limiting the amount of sunlight that enters the room because they can be adjusted to be wide open to the sun or closed completely.

Blinds or shades can be made in a solid sheet that rolls up or folds up or they may be made with vertical or horizontal pieces. These pieces are all attached and work in unison when they are drawn together or apart.

They may be used alone or as an under layer behind more decorative curtains. They can vary greatly in color and materials they are made of from wood and faux wood to plastic and metal. Some are even made from wood.

Decorating themes in the past twenty years have made good use of vertical styles especially for large and long window spaces.

They provide an excellent way to shut off your world from the outside and give you all of the privacy you need.

Large windows are very nice and add a sunny element to the indoors but they can also get over bearing in extremely sunny weather and vertical window blinds give you the option of letting in as much light or as little light as the situation calls for.

You can compare all types of window coverings including slider panels at Blindsgalore just click here.
Famous brands and styles by Bali, our very own at blindsgalore, Hunter Douglas, Levolor, Comfortex, Graber and Kirsch.

How your window blinds can control heat and light

The size and shape of your room is an important consideration when selecting a window treatment. Here are some basic tips to keep in mind:

vertical window coverings can add height to a room
horizontal ones are more relaxed and informal
fabric window shadings with gentle folds can offset the rigid lines of a room's design, especially if have window grids (you know the types that are placed inside the glass) and moldings.

The direction in which the windows face and exposure to the sun determines how much or how little natural light enters a room. What's not as noticeable is how dramatically different the type of lighting is depending on the direction it's coming from.

Windows looking towards the north offer the clearest, most consistent light but also colder exposure. If you live in colder climates or can have very cold winters, look for energy efficient treatments to prevent the cold from leaking in and the heat from escaping. Unprotected windows can allow 40% of your home's heat to escape through the windows.
Windows facing east provide warm, bright light, which is nice in the morning. Early morning light often means your home will also heat up quickly. Look for window blinds or shades that diffuse the light, which will help to keep your rooms cooler. Cellular shades work well here because they trap warm or cool air in their cells, decreasing the intensity of the temperature as it enters the room; these treatments will also block ultraviolet (UV) rays and protect your furnishings.
West-facing windows let in the hottest light and the most harmful UV rays. This is because the heat built up from the day that reflects off your home also adds to the heat from the sun. Consider a blind that provides light control, energy efficiency and UV protection.
Windows facing south are the most important natural light source because they receive sunlight year round and cast a warm, golden glow on the inside of your home. This is also where proper lighting and ambient light comes into play. Look for window shades that let in as much of this light as possible but still offers protection against heat and harmful UV rays.

Measurements and Installation

The first thing you must do before installing your window blind or shade is to decide if you are going with an inside mount or outside mount.

Mounting your blind on the inside of the window frame is much more critical for overall look than the outside mounted blinds. If your window is not square you have to make certain adjustments to your blind for it to hang properly.

This holds true whether you are installing a mini blind or a roman shade. For outside mounted blinds all you really need to be concerned with is if it is high enough on the wall and whether it is level or not.

Measure each window thoroughly, horizontally at the top, center and bottom and vertically along both sides and at the center (always measure with a rigid ruler or steel tape, never a soft tape measure). These measurements will tell you whether or not your window is square.

If your window is not square its not as big a deal as you may think. If your blind hangs crooked or pulls to one side shorten the cord on the longer side so that it pulls straight. This is called telescoping. If you have the models that are motorized be more diligent in your measurements. A measurement error can cause the motorized system to work improperly.

Follow the installation instructions that came with your blind. Or have a professional installer do it for you. I would highly recommend an installer if you have purchased the motorized controls.

These blinds are a little harder to do and the cost is not cheap if you break them or can't hang them properly. Always match your window treatments to your other wall decor to complete the look of the room when decorating.

vertical window blinds