Vertical blinds provide a needed service in our homes and offices, solving problems for us that we ordinarily could not resolve easily. They help to control the level of sunlight that pours into our rooms, and they help provide privacy for us in our homes, as well. Vertical blinds are very helpful but sometimes they can present difficulties. Maybe you want to control the light, but do not want to have to turn on your electrical lights every time you close your vertical blinds. Perhaps there is a view that you don’t want spoiled or you have an older window that you still want to show off. How can you use vertical blinds when they may solve a problem for you, if they might create another problem at the same time? How does one get around these problems while still controlling the light with their vertical blinds? In this study we will look at some common problems with vertical blinds and look for a suitable solution.
The appeal of French doors in a home is second to none. However, placing vertical blinds on them can lead to a great deal of swinging. This can create problems with tangling and can eventually wear the blinds down. For French doors, tie backs may be available. These will help the vertical blinds stay in place while you use your French doors to the fullest. Again, it may be advisable to make sure that your vertical blinds are larger than the doors, so when they are moved to the sides, they will completely clear the openings, and allow you to have easier access to the openings.
Sometimes we have views that we really don’t want spoiled. Perhaps your home backs onto a forest or you have a beautiful garden to admire. Maybe you have grand floor to ceiling glass windows and a magnificent view of the ocean, a bay, or even a golf course. You fear that vertical blinds could take away from that lovely view that perhaps you even helped to create. A good solution is to get blinds that stack way on the sides of the windows. Try to get blinds with a small stacking space, so the stacks on the sides will be smaller than alternatives. Generally the larger the stacking space the more view you will loose.
Fabric Vertical Blinds are an excellent choice; because of the thin nature of the fabrics, when high quality fabric is used, fabric vertical blinds will stack smaller and cleaner to the sides, and will not form an unattractive column where you do not want one. They look lovely when they are in the window and are nearly invisible when they are drawn to the sides. Fabric Vertical blinds are also a quiet choice, as they make substantially less noise when moving with the wind, either natural or from your air conditioner. If you have walls next to your windows, you can get the vertical blinds several inches wider than the glass portion of the walls, to ensure that the windows are not obstructed by the vertical blinds.
Arched windows and eyebrow windows are very attractive in a home. Often they are used as accent glass, put there to provide additional lighting and enhanced beauty. Sometimes, however, their location may require you to cover them some times. These odd shaped windows can be an absolute nightmare when it comes to fitting a vertical blind. In this situation it is best to purchase a blind that can be cut or shaped to the size you need. When covering these windows, it may be advisable to use fabric vertical blinds, because they will allow at least part of your light benefit to continue, while cutting out most of the light and retaining your privacy.
You may have a room that has a strong breeze. That breeze may be from open windows, or foot traffic, or even from a strong air conditioner. Metal vertical blinds and plastic vertical blinds tend to click and clack as they move. As we mentioned, fabric vertical blinds are quieter. You can consider those as your solution for these problematic spaces.
Finally, we all have those windows in our homes that are difficult to reach. For such windows it isn’t so much the vertical blinds you choose but the accessories to go with them. Extra long cords and chains are things you may want to consider with these types of windows. Remember that these chains and cords may not add to the beauty of your rooms, and they also complicate the safety in your spaces.
If the vertical blinds and their controls are really out of reach you may wish to consider remote controls. Remote controls, while a little more expensive, do add additional value to your home while making the manipulation of the window blinds very easy. Don’t lose your remote control!
Difficult windows can still be fitted with beautiful vertical blinds. Skylights, arches, eyebrows, and sometimes even portal windows can be problems when selecting window coverings. Sometimes a little creativity and accessories are all that are needed. If you have a view that you don’t want to lose or a window that is in the worst possible position, you do not have to fear. It can still be fitted with a nice vertical blind. Again, vertical blinds can help to solve your problems, without creating additional problems for you.