I want the levolors

Vertical Blinds

Customers frequently called my business asking for “levolors”. After sighing to myself, I’d gently ask them to be more specific. “Is there a particular type of Levolor you’re looking for?” The unhelpful and somewhat impatient reply might have been something like “You know, the ‘levolors’”. 

People have some misconceptions about Levolor and “levolors”. First off, Levolor is a famous and long-time window treatment brand name . As a manufacturer, Levolor produced many different types of blinds and shades, both custom and stock. In more recent years, this company, together with its strong brand recognition, was absorbed into the Hunter Douglas family. The label continues to thrive today as an important box store offering. 

Now to the misconceptions. Some folks would swear that “levolor” was synonymous with vertical. Others were adamant that “levolors” were 1” mini blinds. And, there were still other opinions but if you capitalize the “l”, they’re all right, at least, sort of. Since the Levolor label appears on many different types of products, be prepared to give your salesperson or consultant a more detailed description so you can get the treatments of your choice.

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Window Treatment Descriptions

Horizontal Blinds – Window covering with louver/slats/vanes running left-to-right or parallel to the horizon. Also known as Venetian blinds. Sub-categories includes Wood, Faux Wood, Vinyl, Aluminum(mini, micro). 

Vertical Blinds – Window covering with louver/slats/vanes running top-to-bottom or perpendicular to the horizon.

Shadings – These are hybrid roller shades with internal, tilting fabric louvers. Originally released as the  Hunter Douglas Silhouette but now available from many brands.

Banded Shades – Also known as Zebra shades. They are rollers with alternating strips of varying opacity which can overlap for full privacy.

Vertical Sheers – A hybrid of a traditional vertical blind and sheer drapery.

Roller Shades – A traditional product familiar to many as a cheap vinyl covering from a home center or hardware store but custom rollers are available in a dizzying array of fabrics.

Solar Shades – A sub-category of roller shade featuring ‘screen’ like fabric of varying transparency expressed as a percentage ‘openness factor’.

Pleated Shades – A simple, traditional fabric shade formed by creasing fabric in increments from 3/4″ – 2″. The predecessor of the cellular shade.

Cellular (Cell) ShadesAlso known as honeycomb and accordion shade. Based on pleated shades but have two or more layers creating a thermal barrier which is an effective insulator. Popular with a ‘top-down/bottom-up’ feature which provides direct light while maintaining partial privacy. 

Vertical Cellular – A cell shade with cells (pleat lines) running top to bottom. Ideal alternative to vertical blinds for sliding patio doors.

Roman Shades – A decorative traditional fabric shade available in several styles. 

Austrian Shades – A traditional fabric shade typically made with sheer fabrics. Privacy comes through the ‘gathering’ effect. They are not particularly practical but are valued for the decorative street view they provide.

Woven Wood – A rustic sub-category of Roman shade available in natural wood and grass woven materials.

Louver Drape – Another sliding door option, these are generally woven wood shades with a drape-like appearance drawing side-to-side. 

Panel Track – Also known as a sliding panel. Typically used for sliding patio doors, these feature 2 or more fabric, solar or woven wood panels which stack in parallel, one over another. Great companion to matching roller, solar or woven shades. A clean, modern look but partially obstructs the view outside.

Phrase
Definition
Louvers
Also known as slats or vanes. These are the tiltable components in blinds.