When purchasing window blinds, know your options. There are several different versions of window blinds on the market made by numerous manufacturers. To prevent replacement costs down the road, you should be sure to purchase a quality blind that will hold up to daily wear and tear of opening, closing, raising, and lowering. If you purchase a cheaply made set of window blinds to save money, you will likely find that your budget will be stretched to its breaking point when they must be replaced within a short time after purchase.
The different types of window blinds include traditional roller window shades, mini blinds that are typically less than an inch in diameter, wooden or vinyl blinds that are usually two inches in diameter, pleated shades that create a unique look in any room and work to diffuse the light, and a unique combination of the two looks that allows the functionality of a mini blind and the look of a pleated shade. Before you choose a specific type of blind for your home, consider all your options and ensure that your budget will allow for the purchase of blinds for all available windows in your home.
The traditional roller window shade has been used for many years without fail. Easy to custom fit and install, roller shades are typically your least expensive option. Consider a special room darkening roller shade to block light from entering your bedroom. You may find it necessary to install one of these shades even after you have installed blinds in your room. However, roller shades will not take a great deal of use and abuse, so you exchange look and durability for price.
A mini blind has also been used in many homes for countless years. These blinds are typically made of aluminum and are incredibly lightweight. For this reason, mini blinds are easy to install and do not require a great deal of strength and assistance. Aluminum mini blinds also come in a wide variety of colors, so you can easily choose a specific color to fit into your design plan. However, much like roller shades, mini blinds can be easily bent or broken, so their thriftiness may wear on your budget when they must be replaced.
Wooden or vinyl blinds tend to be wider, around two inches, and are becoming more popular with designers. These blinds tend to be more expensive, but are also made more durable and have a more elegant look. If you choose wooden blinds, you may be able to custom match the color of stained woodwork or trim already in your home.
Pleated shades are available in a wide range of colors and look great for many types of rooms. In addition to providing a softening look to a room, pleated shades are popular as a combination of roller shades and mini blinds. However, unlike mini blinds, the shades cannot be opened and must be completely raised or lowered in order to utilize the window. There is an aspect that allows pleated shades to be opened and closed like mini blinds, allowing you to open the shade for light and view without raising the shade.