Custom window blinds, as their name implies, are designed to cover windows and hide what’s inside or outside of them or to control the amount of sunlight entering a building, lowering cooling costs and protecting interior furnishings from exposure to damaging ultraviolet rays. They are available in a variety of designs and any homeowner can have custom blinds made to their specifications. First, though, you must choose a basic design and material …
One of the most common window blind designs is the Venetian blind. The early Venetian blinds were constructed of fairly wide, convex metal slats, but can now be flat or elliptical.
Faux, of PVC “mini” Venetian blinds are made from either foam or solid polyvinyl chloride plastic. This material fives the blinds a smooth texture to which a wood grain can be embossed. PVC blinds are available in white, ivory, and wood tones.
Extremely sturdy, water-and-UV-resistant, and easy to maintain, PCV blinds’ only flaw is their weight. Their slats outweigh those of composite or wooden blinds, and if one is used to shade a large window, it may be difficult to raise, and awkward to lower.
Made from a blend of wood and polymer products, composite blinds are a more recent development in window shades. The slats are either all composite, or composite with a polymer coating.
Like PVC blinds, composites are available in a limited range of white and off-white colors, with some wood stain shades. Priced in the inexpensive to middle range, they are regarded as top quality window coverings.
Whether of economy, or premium, quality, wooden window blinds are constructed from actual wood. The less expensive ones will contain a variety of Oriental hardwoods; the higher-priced will most often contain American basswood.
Wood blinds are your best option for matching your window covering to your woodwork. As with all things, you will pay for their quality, and may eventually see them warp or fade. But their light weight makes them ideal for large windows.
Custom window blinds have proven over time to be inexpensive ways of adding style and privacy to your home, and with today’s rising energy costs, will pay for themselves. Given their wide variety, you’re sure to find materials and styles you can order that will be perfect for your needs.
Home Decor & Furniture
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- Window Blind Shades: How To Choose The Best Window Blind Shades
