How to guide for buying window coverings
Bargain hunters everywhere are learning that they can save lots of money by buying from the source instead of paying high prices to get products from retailers who have to cover their overhead. The following is some information on how you can select the best window covering for your home from what can be a very confusing industry. Even better, you can do it all from the comfort of your home. The window covering industry has quickly become very competitive. Because of this, there are a variety of names for a limited amount of choices. When talking about slatted window covers, there are basically only 3 different types; aluminum, wood, and faux (pronounced foe). If you are looking to cover a sliding glass door, then you may want to consider using vertical blinds for wider and taller applications.
Aluminums are very popular in business offices and are almost always in the 1" variety. These are commonly called minis. These are a very inexpensive way to cover a window and although the common colors are white and gray, they can be found in a variety of colors to match the interior of your home.
Wood blinds are a very stylish way to cover you windows and dress up the interior of your home. Most woods are made of a very lightweight wood called basswood. They can also be found in a variety of oriental hardwoods.
Faux woods are composite material usually made from PVC or plastic but can include some wood. They are very popular because they are durable and easy to clean. They are especially good for areas that may be exposed to moisture, as they do not warp easily. However, they are substantially heavier, which can be a problem when you have larger windows to cover. Many manufacturers will recommend that you split the blind into two or three parts on one common headrail for larger orders to prolong the life of the blind.
Verticals are usually made of plastic and come in the 3 1/2" size. You can also find some that are 3 1/2" and made of fauxwood. They work great with sliding glass doors. They are fairly durable and surprisingly lightweight. Verticals are pretty easy to clean and are warp-resistant.
For Doors that open and close, you want the treatments to be secure. You will need to order them in the outside mount style and then secure them to the door. They can be mounted with hold-down brackets to keep them from swinging away from the door when opened and closed. Treatments with smaller slats are recommended on doors because larger blinds may interfere when opening the door. The smaller 1 “ slats keep the depth of the blinds to a minimum.
Another thing to keep in mind when placing an order for treatments that will cover a door is the location of the tilt control. You will want to have the control for the treatment on the side of the hinges and not the handle. It can get in the way and become a nuisance if it is located near your door handle when you are trying to come in and out, and gravity makes them less likely to get in the way of the hinge.
If you are interested in the roll-up window coverings, with cell/honeycombs, and or bamboos, you have several more choices. All of these products do offer differing levels of light to come through and come in a variety of different looks. They are a great way to give your home a unique look instead of the usual white-colored slatted treatments that most people put in their windows.
Bamboo and woven woods are the hottest trend in window coverings and are a great way to give your home some style. They come in several different varieties of wood and have several different earth tones to choose from. For this reason it is important to try to get your hands on some samples to make sure that you find the perfect coverings. They can be retracted in either the roman fold or roll up style. When fully retracted, they still occupy a lot of space. This may be one drawback, as many people want the window covering to be out of sight when not down.
Cellulars/honeycombs are usually made from a poly-cotton fabric that has been treated to be stain-resistant. They are a great way to block UV light from coming through and even help with insulation. These products also offer differing levels of transparency all the way to black out, which is ideal for home theatres or those who sleep during the day. There is an almost endless selection of colors and you can even choose different sizes of cells. They come in 1/2", 3/8", and 3/4" cells.
Rollers are window coverings that can be opened by rolling the shades up on a cylinder that runs above a window. The come in vinyl, cloth, and a sheer weave material. The vinyl blocks all light from coming through and comes in several colors and textures to match most home decors. They are very inexpensive and therefore have been popular for years.