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Choosing and Installing Your New Blinds

One type of window blind that is enjoying increased popularity these days is bamboo window blinds.

When it comes to window treatments that provide shade and privacy, one of the most common choices for both homes and offices are blinds. One of the great features of blinds is that they give you the option of determining the exact amount of light that will enter the room.

The downside to blinds for many people is the difficulty in installation. There are so many other things to consider when making the choice to purchase blinds for your home or office. Color and size are important, but you will also need to look at the wide variety of styles as well.

The information below should help you choose just the right blinds.

Style
While most people are familiar with Venetian blinds, blinds actually come in a wide selection of styles. Once you determine how you want the blinds to function, it will be a lot easier to pick a style.

Roller Shades – These shades are great for giving any room total privacy and for blocking out the sun. They are constructed from an opaque or vinyl fabric which is wrapped around a dowel. To roll the fabric up and down there is a spring or a beaded cord system. Roller shades can have additional design elements added to them, such as straight or shaped edges and trimmings.
Roman Shades – These shades raise and lower in an accordion pattern thanks to the cord which has been woven through the fabric.
Venetian Blinds – These blinds are sometimes referred to as horizontal blinds, as they have horizontal slats of wood or aluminum. The widths of the slats usually range fro 16mm to 50mm and can be adjusted to control the amount of light which is allowed to enter the room.
Vertical Blinds – These blinds are similar to Venetian blinds; however the slats run vertically rather than horizontally. To allow as much light as possible to enter the room, the blinds can be pulled either completely right or completely left. Some vertical blinds will split in the middle and pull to both sides. The sizes of the slats typically run from 89mm to 127mm and are covered with a variety of types of fabric.
Pleated Shades – These blinds have horizontal fabric panels and function almost exactly like Venetian blinds. These blinds also come in a “top down” style if you choose to have light enter the room from the top of the window rather than the bottom.
Honeycomb Shades – One extra benefit of these shades is there insulating properties, which can help reduce your heating and cooling costs. These shades are also known as cellular shades and feature layers of fabric which filter out the light of the sun.
Woven Wood Shades – These shades allow diffused sunlight to enter the room, but block out the direct light of the sun. They are usually constructed from bamboo.
Mini Blinds – These are horizontal blinds that have one or two inch slats. They are also referred to aluminum, macro, or micro blinds.
Shutters – These allow you to make changes to the amount of light or privacy you want in a room through adjustable parallel louvers.

Measuring and Installing
The most thing to remember in this process is that the blinds should be able to hang freely, even when they are fully extended. Make sure there are no obstructions that would hinder this. Using a steel rudder will help you get the most accurate measurements.

Cutting the Blinds
It will often be necessary to cut the blinds in order to get the exact fit. You should measure from one side of the bracket to the other in order to determine the desired width prior to cutting the blinds. Prior to cutting the fabric, tube, and lath, be sure to deduct the size of the winding mechanism.

The best tool to use to cut fabric is a sharp pair of scissors or cutting knife. When cutting a tube you are best off using a mini hacksaw.

Cost
Be sure to factor in the cost of delivery when determining the overall cost of your blinds. Be sure you have all the facts about delivery charges prior to finalizing your order, as they can significantly increase your costs.

Learn about these window blind manufacturers.