Made to Measure Window Blinds for your home – How to choose
Made to Measure Window Blinds for your home
Choosing blinds for the windows in your property is not quite as straightforward as it may at first seem.
There are many different styles of blinds to choose from, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Before you start looking at types of blinds, take some time to ask yourself a few questions and consider the specifics involved. You will need to consider issues such as why you want a blind rather than curtains, what protection the blind should offer, how easy it needs to be to operate, and what material and colour you want.
Once you have considered these factors, take a look at the different styles of blinds available.
Roller Blinds
Roller blinds are a single sheet of material that lies flat against the window. They roll up to let in a maximum amount of light.
Roller blinds are the most versatile and popular due to the variety of finishes available and their ease of use.
A modern and sleek alternative to curtains especially where space is at a premium, roller blinds are also available in extra large dimensions making them suitable for large glazed areas.
Double roller blinds are a clever solution when 2 types of functionality are required, mounted on a double bracket each blind can be independently operated.
Sun screen roller blinds are the ideal solution for sun drenched rooms, filtering the sun’s rays, reducing the effects of UV damage and helping to control the heat impact in your home.
Venetian Blinds
Venetian blinds are made from horizontal aluminium slats that go across the window.
The angle can be varied to let more or less light in.
The blade size can also differ depending on your preferances, with 16mm, 25mm and 50mm horizontal slat options in a wide range of colours.
They can be fitted within the window frame with guide wires so that the blind stays in place when the window is open.
The option of 50mm slats gives an ultra-modern industrial look to a modern build villa.
Wood Venetian Blinds
These are the same as Venetian but made from wood slats. Wooden Venetian blinds are the perfect solution for controlling light and privacy with a softer and more attractive look than aluminium Venetians.
They can be finished with either cord or tape, and come with a matching narrow pelmet to hide the mechanism.
Equally at home in modern minimalist decor and traditional Spanish villas.
They can be fitted within the window frame with guide wires so that the blind stays in place when the window is open.
The option of 50mm slats gives an ultra-modern industrial look to a modern build villa.
Roman Blinds
Roman blinds can be made from any of the fabrics or volies found in our studio giving you a vast selection of colours and designs to choose from.
A softer alternative to roller blinds, they are a great way to cover ugly persiana boxes or where space is of a premium.
You can combine your Made to Measure Roman blinds with curtains or dress curtains for added style and versatility.
By lining with a blackout fabric they can be used for sun protection and are ideal for light control in bedrooms.
Vertical Blinds
Vertical blinds come in a variety of materials, from fabric to PVC and wood effect, and are stiffened so they keep the shape.
The vertical slits are controlled to let light in and the whole blind can also be pulled to the side.
Vertical blinds are also available in Sun Screen and blackout fabrics for practical usage, or sheers and textured finishes for a more decorative look.
Again the louvres come in different widths. The important difference between Venetian and vertical blinds is that the latter moves from left to right, rather than up and down. You can adjust the individual slats just as easily, but the pull cord either draws the lats across the length of the window or pulls them back.
Pleated Blinds
Pleated blinds are a versatile alternative to venetian blinds with concertina like folds that fall softly at the window.
Like venetians, the blinds can be fitted within the window frame on guide wires so that the blind stays in place when the window is open.
Two blinds can be combined within one window to give a filtered light during the day and a blackout for the night.
Night and Day Blinds
Night and Day blinds operate in a similar way to roller blinds, but are made up of 2 layers of fabric with alternate opaque and translucent horizontal stripes.
By moving the layers in front of each other the degree of light or privacy can be controlled.
Available in a wide range of colours, textures and stripe width, these blinds are a modern and beautiful alternative to rollers.
Perfect Fit Blinds
Depending on the size of the window, all our roller blind fabrics are available with a perfect fit frame.
These frames adhere directly to your window frame giving a streamlined finish with the blind becoming an integral part of your window.
The guides down either side of the window stop the roller from moving when the window is open or tilted and minimize the amount of light leakage when used with blackout fabrics.
An ideal solution where space is at a premium, or as a functional solution when combined with other window dressings such as curtains.
Japanese Panel Blinds
The Japanese panel system uses a multi slot track to layer panels of fabric one in front of another.
The panels can stack to just one side of the window or both sides depending on the window format and the amount of wall space available.
Fabrics can be mixed and matched within the system to give flexibility between aesthetics and functionality.
A perfect solution for covering large glazed areas with a minimalist and elegant finish.
Some blinds will be better suited to certain situations, and it may be possible to have a large window divided up into narrower blinds for ease of use and better control.
The material used in the blinds can be an important deciding factor as it will affect the look and feel of the room. Fabric blinds come in many colours and patterns and are easy to personalise. Aluminium or wood blinds may not be as pleasing aesthetically in all rooms. It is also worth mentioning that window sizes in certain countries may be different so Spanish blinds may not be the same as buying them in the UK or other parts of the world.
You should also bear in mind who is using the blind and how much maintenance and cleaning is required. Children’s rooms will be better with simple roller blinds as they are easy to operate with less chance of tangling. Rooms that get dusty will make Venetian or pleated blinds a nightmare to keep clean.
In kitchens and bathrooms moisture-resistant materials should be used, and in rooms where you need good control over light, such as an office, Venetian blinds are ideal. Black-out blind material is also available for many types of blind, giving a completely dark environment to aid sleep.
Before settling on a style of blind, take advice from an expert and have them measure the window accurately so you get a realistic cost. The price will vary depending on exact requirements, so ask yourself which factors are the most important.
