Your Guide for Purchasing Vertical Blinds
If you're ready for a window covering upgrade, vertical blinds are a long-lasting and elegant choice. But they come in such a wide range of sizes, styles, materials - which ones will be the best fit for your needs?
Here is a list of considerations and what to look for when buying vertical blinds for your home:
- Count and measure
- Matching your decor
- Which material will work best for you?
- Will you need a valance on top?
- Pro-installation or DIY?
Ready to learn practically everything about vertical blinds so you can make the most informed decision for your household? Read all about it below and soon you'll be relaxing in the shade!
The Right Measures
The very first step is to determine which windows and doors in your house need vertical blinds, and therefore how many sets you'll need to purchase. They're a really smart choice for sliding glass doors that lead out to a patio or pool deck, but they also look attractive in many other areas, like bedrooms & home offices.
Since vertical blinds are often chosen for larger or unusually-sized windows, it's important to take extremely accurate measurements. A key consideration here is, will you be mounting the blinds inside the window frame or above it?
Typically for sliding glass doors, you'll want to mount them above. One of the main benefits of vertical blinds is adding the illusion of extra ceiling height with their long, graceful lines. Whichever way you decide to go, the experts at eHow offer up step-by-step advice for taking precise measurements for both mounting options. You'll definitely need a metal tape measure and a pencil and paper for recording your results.
Showcase Your Style
First invented in 1950, vertical blinds were developed to alleviate the amount of dust that typically accumulated on the traditional horizontal style, thereby making your cleaning routine much easier. All the rage in the '80s, vertical blinds are back in style and better than ever before! They're perfect for large sliding glass doors, bay windows, & other unique spaces in your home where regular blinds just won't work.
Because vertical blinds come in so many different materials and colors, you're sure to find ones that will look stunning in every room of your home. Fabric vertical blinds, for example, are particularly adaptable because they come in many different shades or even patterns that will perfectly match your decor.
The DIY Network also points out that with vertical blinds, you'll have precise control over how much light comes into each room "without sacrificing privacy." If you're planning on selling your home, DIY Network explains that these kinds of blinds can help your home look larger and full of natural light, which potential homebuyers love.
Another sweet feature of vertical blinds is that they are also available in motorized versions. More affordable than ever, motorized blinds give you the exact amount of light you need, absolutely effortlessly, via remote control. There are also no unsightly wands or dangerous cords.
The Material World
Vertical blinds can be made from metal, vinyl, wood, faux wood, and fabric, as mentioned above. What kind is right for you depends on several different factors:
- Aluminum Blinds are extremely durable, fabulous at blocking out light, and available in a huge array of colors.
- Vinyl Blinds are also very long-lasting and resistant to staining. Over time, however, the vinyl vanes can become brittle and cracked if not maintained properly.
- Wood Blinds are gorgeous and add a glamorous feel to any room, and they are great for temperature and light control.
- Fabric Blinds are the quietest and can be treated to repel dust. The stiffened fabric can also help rooms retain warmth in the winter or stay cooler during the summer. However, just be aware that fabric is more susceptible to staining.
- Faux Wood Blinds have most of the appeal of real wood but half the weight and cost. They are more resistant to moisture, affordable, and easy to clean. However, they don't last as long as other kinds and fade from exposure to sunlight over time, according to Californian style mag SFGate.
To Valance or Not to Valance
Most sets of vertical blinds will come with something to cover the track - sometimes it's just an additional vane that slides into plastic clips on the side of the mechanism. While that definitely serves to cover the track, it's not very creative or stylish.
Many homeowners add a fabric valance over the top of their vertical blinds, which can easily be coordinated with your decor and add additional visual appeal. Fabric valances can also protect the track from dust and damage, ensuring your blinds last longer.
If you desire total light blockage, a dark fabric valance and blackout curtains over your closed vertical blinds will help you achieve complete darkness for media enjoyment or that delightful afternoon nap.
The Installation Process
While vertical blinds are not terribly difficult to install, they can be a bit of a hassle, especially if you don't have the necessary tools. You'll need to take careful measurements, have a level and a drill, and deal with holding the track overhead as you secure it.
It might be best to go with a professional window treatment design and installation company for the vertical blinds in your home. This way, you'll be sure to get the best available products and price, and be rest assured they're installed correctly, so you stay made in the shade for years to come.
Conclusion
Vertical blinds are back in fashion and better than ever! They're available in a wide range of colors and materials that are sure to compliment your home's decor. While there's a lot of decisions to make beforehand like which rooms you'll add them to, which blinds will work best for your needs, or whether to get manual or motorized blinds, you'll be sure to make all the right choices after reading this handy guide!
Sources
https://www.ehow.com/how_6182308_measure-hang-vertical-blinds.html
https://homeguides.sfgate.com/faux-wood-blinds-turn-yellow-sun-102019.html