Choosing Window Blinds

Window blinds are one of the most appealing window treatments available offering privacy, adding to the décor, and shielding both your carpet and furnishings from the harmful UV rays of the sun. There have never before been such a wide variety of styles, colors and materials available in window blinds. This article touches on some of the most popular horizontal blind styles and materials available in window blind technology. We hope the following information provides the reader with the necessary information in choosing, purchasing, or ordering their custom or made to measure window blinds online. Some of the most popular manufacturers of window blinds include Hunter Douglas, Kirsch, and Levolor, although there are many more manufacturers and "house brands" available. Many window blind manufacturers also have options such as valance size/style, wand and control string positioning (left, right, middle) for the online shopper.

Choosing Your Window Blinds Slat Size

Most blinds are available in a variety of slat widths. Popular slat width sizes include 1/2-inch micro, 1-inch mini, 2-inch, 2-1/2 inch with many window blind manufacturers having variations and/or larger widths available. Choosing your window blind slat size is both a matter of personal choice and type of installation or mounting choice you choose. Make sure to visit the guide to window blind measuring for special consideration before choosing your slat size or mounting options.

Choosing Your Window Blinds Material

With choices available such as PVC, natural wood, faux wood, composite wood, and aluminum, the purchaser has never before had such a wide variety of window blind styles and materials to choose from. The following information includes considerations on the different material types the purchaser should take into account when shopping for window blinds. Always consider the environment of your window blind installation to maximize the durability of each type of material.

Vinyl Blinds

Vinyl blinds are probably the lowest cost solution available for the shoppers. These are most often purchased off the shelf at retailers in generic sizes. Due to their low cost, low durability and overall lack of quality they are normally used in areas such as an attic window, garage entrance door window etc.

Aluminum Blinds

Aluminum blinds have remained a popular choice among online shoppers. They are available in what seems to be an endless array of colors and are normally available in micro, mini, and other slat sizes up to 2-inches(dependent on manufacturer). Aluminum blinds are a low-cost and durable solution as a window treatment - remaining durable and easy to maintain regardless of humidity or other factors. Quality of aluminum window blinds can often be measured by the thickness or gauge of the aluminum itself with larger gauges being better and/or more durable.

PVC Blinds

PVC (poly vinyl chloride) blinds are growing in popularity as a viable option among online shoppers. They are available in both solid colors and faux embossed finishes, and are available in a wide variety of larger slat sizes from 2-3 inches (dependent on manufacturer). PVC blinds are a durable and fashionable solution as a window treatment - remaining durable and easy to maintain regardless of humidity or other factors. Some of the most popular PVC window blinds are available in faux wood finishes ranging from light tone reproductions of birch to deeper tones such as cherry.

Real Wood Blinds

Wooden blinds were once the most prominent type of window blind available, but faded with popularity as wood prices rose and other lower cost materials became available to online shoppers. Wood blinds are making a strong come-back in recent years as people rediscover the natural and timeless beauty of wood in their décor. They are available in both solid colors and wood tones ranging from light tones such as natural finished to deep wood tones such as mahogany. Most wood blinds are available in a variety of slat sizes from 1-3 inches (dependent on manufacturer). Wood blinds should be used in a stable temperature and humidity controlled environment to receive the full benefit of the long lasting durability of real wood blinds.

Composite Wood Blinds

Composite wood blinds are fast becoming a replacement and are viable option to real wood blinds. They are more stable and less prone to the effects of varying degrees of temperature and humidity of real wood blinds. Composite or engineered wooden blinds are made from hardwood pulp and blended with PVC or other resins to produce the look of natural wood with some of the durability of PVC window blinds. They are available in both solid colors and wood tones ranging from light tones to deep wood tones similar to real wood blinds. Most composite wood blinds are available in a variety of slat sizes from 1-3 inches (dependent on manufacturer). Composite wood blinds are made from mostly recycled material providing an environmentally sound option to the purchaser.

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