Types of Blinds

Blinds can either be used on their own as a simple treatment or in combination with curtains. They are useful for small windows or for windows where there is no space at the side for a curtain, and be fitted either inside or outside the window recess.

Roller Blinds

This is the simplest form of blind, made out of a flat piece of stiffened fabric which is wound round a wooden or metal roller. A wooden lath is inserted in the hem at the lower edge to keep the blind flat and straight. For added design detail the lower edge, below the lath, can be shaped and trimmed with braid or fringe.

Roller blinds are a good solution for kitchen and bathroom windows and can be fitted neatly in the recess of a window. They can be bought ready-made in a standard range of fabrics or custom-made in laminated fabrics.

Vertical Blinds

Vertical blinds are ideal for controlling the amount of light coming into a room. They provide privacy when closed, a clear view of the outside world when pulled back, and can be used to filter the light when tilted at an angle. They are perhaps less visually pleasing than the other blinds, and are usually used in office environments or with large full-height windows or patio doors.

Venetian Blinds

Available in a number of materials and finishes - including plastic, aluminium and wood - Venetian blinds are suitable for any room. They're versatile too: you can expose virtually the entire window, or adjust the blind to let in light but also provide privacy. They can be used in both contemporary and more traditional settings.

Roman Blinds

These blinds provide an elegant, tailored window dressing, which draw up into even horizontal folds. To keep the folds straight and even, metal rods or wooden laths are inserted in pockets in the lining at regular intervals. The top of the blind is fixed onto a narrow wooden batten. The blind is drawn up by cords which are then wrapped around a hook.