Vertical Blinds Things to Consider When Buying Vertical Blinds | Things to Consider When Buying Vertical Blinds |
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Vertical blinds are primarily used to shade and protect large windows, but over the years, they have grown in popularity and people have found a host of other uses for them. Vertical blinds can serve as window covers, room dividers, or purely decorative accents. Whether you need window treatments for your home, office, or commercial building, vertical blinds are always a great and convenient choice. However, buying vertical blinds takes a bit more thought than it seems. You have to choose the right size, color, weight, and thickness, to name a few. Wrong vertical blinds can be more of a burden than a complement to your room. Below are some of the things you need to consider to help you choose the right vertical blinds. Width Vertical blinds are generally wider than horizontal blinds. Widths vary between three to seven inches, although three-inch slats are used in most store-bought blinds. Choose a reasonable width for your blind slats – they must be proportional to the length and size of the window. Narrower slats give you more control over lighting and shade. Your vertical blinds must cover the entire length of your window or wall. Avoid vertical blinds that leave even a few inches exposed, because unfiltered sunlight can get in through the gap. Likewise, avoid oversized blinds – they carry a lot of unnecessary weight and require more maintenance. Choosing a color for your blinds requires more effort than matching it with the rest of the room. Some colors filter out more light than others. Consider the amount of sunlight you usually get in your area – if your room faces direct sunlight, you may need darker shades to tone down the light. If you get mostly soft sunlight, light shades are your best choice. Vertical blinds can be made of vinyl, aluminum or wood. Your choice of material should depend on the level of sunlight filtering you need from your blinds. Aluminum and wooden blinds are almost completely opaque, while vinyl ones let in a good amount of filtered light. Keep durability in mind as well. Make sure the slats are fairly thick and rigid, the rails are straight, and that each slat is securely connected to the rail. Safety Although vertical blinds are generally safe, there have been reports of small animals such as kittens getting strangled on the pull cords of common blinds. To prevent such accidents, choose blinds with pull cords hanging a safe distance from the floor. Some models have snaps on the curve of the cord that break apart under stress, so that animals that get caught can safely drop to the floor. An even safer alternative is the control rod, which is solid and leaves no room for accidents. |