Nobody knows who the smart person was who discovered blinds, but everyone owes him or her our thanks. Because the earliest blinds were named 'Venetian blinds', they were probably put into use in Venice before anywhere else. Although not very exciting and that good to look at, they did the job. Today there are many more options available. Blinds are available to fit every conceivable personal style, decorating scheme, and budget.

Usually you want blinds for more than just their appearance. Other advantages are privacy and protection from the heat and sun. When choosing blinds, it is important to keep in mind what you expect from the blinds. There are various types of materials available, each with its own unique properties and density.

If you have a room that is very dark with little natural light, you'll normally use blinds made of an ultra transparent material. The denser the material, the less light will filter into the room. Another advantage of blinds is that they keep the outdoor heat from coming in.

With such a variety of window blinds available, choosing between vertical or roller, type of blind and material can seem like a mammoth task. Moreover, once you have them, you are usually stuck with them for a while. That's why it's important to consider all factors before you buy.

Standard window treatments.

These blinds are designed to fit standard windows and their width cannot be adjusted. They are usually very cheap. They're not particularly durable, because they're made from the least expensive (often low quality) materials. Also, they rarely make a proper fit. Ready-made or custom-made blinds can also be a good option.

READY MADE BLINDS.

These blinds, just as their name would indicate, are pre-fabricated. Although these can be altered to fit your size window. The plus side of buying these types of blinds (also called express or value blinds) is that they are less expensive. They are usually standard with the raise/lower cords to the right and the tilt control to the left. The disadvantage is that you cannot choose where the controls are placed. You will also not have as wide a variety of colors from which to choose.

Window Coverings Made Just for YOU!

The blinds are designed for your specific window size and shape. They will most probably be more expensive but you will have a much wider choice of colors as well as where the controls and mechanisms should be.

After you've decided upon which of the above options best suits your needs, it's time to start thinking about the type of blinds that you want. One wouldn't think so, but with the choices you have between different types of blinds, as well as the variety of materials available, choosing blinds can be quite exciting.