It is basically a functional and appealing covering placed inside, on, or over windows. It provides privacy and control over the natural light entering the home or building during the day. It can also function as an insulator to keep cool air in during the summer and warm air in during the winter. If you want to read about the history of window treatments, please click on this BLOG.
How did the Venetian Blind get its name?
The first records of Venetian blinds reaching Venice, show that it was returning trade missions from Asia & the Middle East which first delivered slatted blinds to Italy, where they slowly grew in popularity.
It wasn’t until the 18th century when migrants from Italy started to spread Venetian blinds, first to France, then England and the Americas.
Venetian Blinds are made of wood, metal or plastic and are held together by cords that run through the blind slats. When they are rotated, they overlap with one side facing inward and then in the opposite direction with the other side facing inward. You can maneuver them manually or with a remote control.
Faux Wood Blinds or Wood Blinds?
The more popular choice today is the Faux Wood Blind which comes in a variety of wood tones or white/off-white. They are flame resistant, easy to clean and resist fading. The best areas for these could be kitchens and bathrooms where there is moisture.
The more luxurious blind is the Wood Blind. They are crafted from the finest hardwoods and combine function with the elegance and durability of real wood. They are great insulators and come in a variety of stains and colors. You have the option of slat sizes.
Roller Shade or Roman Shade?
The roller shade comes in a large variety of color options making it easier to match your home decor. Not only does it enhance the beauty of any area, but also provides you with privacy, light control and energy efficiency. It is also economical.
The more luxurious shade is the Roman Shade which adds a designer flair to a room. It is made up of fabric that hangs flat when closed but when raised will fold horizontally. It offers light and privacy control, in addition to insulating qualities. They can be made in any fabric. They usually open with a cord mechanism which allows you to adjust the height of the covered area.
Window Shutters
Window Shutters were invented 500 years ago in Tudor England of Henry VIII and during Elizabeth I’s reign (1558-1603) it was common for homes to have shutters. These were made of solid wooden boards. During the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901) more and more houses were built from timber or with techniques that resulted in thinner walls. So now people could reach, they began to attach their shutters to the outside.
Today you can find window shutters louvered or with fixed slats. They are attached with hinges so they can be opened and shut. They are made of wood or plastic. They can control the amount of sunlight that enters a room, provides privacy, security and to enhance the beauty of a building. The term window shutter includes both interior shutters, used on the inside of a house or building, and exterior shutters, used on the outside of a structure.
Pleated Shades and Cellular Shades
In 1985, a soft, durable, and highly-energy efficient Duette© Honeycomb Pleated Shade was created by Hunter Douglas. These were the original cellular shades, specifically designed to provide beauty and energy efficiency at the window in both cold and warm climates. Their honeycomb construction was made as a single-cell design which trapped the air in distinct pockets creating insulation that helped lower your energy consumption and energy bills.
The Cellular shade which has a unique honeycomb design offering energy efficiency to the max! It is available as a single cell or double cell. Also offered, are different levels of light control from light filtering to blackout. These shades hold trapped air and can create a barrier between the window surface and the room which helps to keep the warmth inside during the winter. They are made of a soft paper- or cloth-like materials.
Both Pleated and cellular blinds can have a Top Down- Bottom up Blind which is a clever addition to the world of windows as it offers easy control of light.
Vertical Blinds
Vertical blinds were first invented to overcome the weakness of the horizontal blinds such as the ability to remain clean. Horizontal blinds easily collect dust and dirt while the vertical blinds are less likely to collect dust because they stand vertically. They draw to the side instead of lifting and lowering so they operate better on doors and windows that also slide from side-to-side. They are available in flat plastic (PVC), fabric, embossed PVC, faux wood materials, metal, wood and also S-curved slats. They are a natural choice for sliding doors or for rooms with a wide window expanse that’s difficult to cover with other window treatments. They are also good solution for hard-to-fit bay windows.
Please call Harvey for all your custom window treatments. 1-732-920-3817