Buying Your Blinds

Measurement Options

Lets say your windows are being measured and the pro wants to know if you’re happy with the dimensions of your existing window treatments. How will you answer?

Once, I installed a set of wood blinds which another pro had measured. He had sized them perfectly to cover the window trim but the old blinds were a few inches over on 3 sides.

If the prior dimensions were not a mistake then the blinds were either left over from another job (and pressed into service) or, possibly, had been over-sized as an aesthetic consideration. I was relieved that the new blinds were exactly what the customer had in mind.

Years ago, vertical blinds were often measured floor to ceiling as a design choice which, over time, has become less popular. Today, verticals are typically ordered with minimal overhang.

Sometimes a homeowner orders window treatments to cover unsightly trim (which would be costly to replace) even though there is ample depth for an inside mount.

Consider your options and have the conversation before the order is placed.

More to explore

I want the levolors

May 14, 2024 No Comments

Customers frequently called my business asking for “levolors”. After sighing to myself, I’d gently ask them to be more specific. “Is there

Tips for New Construction

April 25, 2024 No Comments

If you’re considering new construction or a major renovation to your home, it’s not too soon to start thinking about window treatments.

I Love Paper Shades

April 15, 2024 No Comments

I wish I had invented or, rather, brought Paper Shades to market. Consider… You just bought or signed the lease on a

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) Shades – Also 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.