How to Choose Your Window Coverings.

How to Choose Your Window Coverings

How to Choose Your Window Coverings
By type of room
This article courtesy of Blinds.com

Kitchen:
Windows by a sink should be easy to clean. Faux wood blinds and aluminum miniblinds are the easiest to clean. Blinds that have smooth painted finishes, as opposed to rough, textured finishes (sandblasted) are the easiest to clean.

Master Bedroom:
Black out roller shades are very popular, as well as some room darkening honeycomb shades. Also effective are special horizontal wood blinds with the DeLight feature. They do not have route holes, preventing light from leaking into your room.

Master Bath:
Humidity doesn't ordinarily adversely affect any quality window treatments, even wood blinds. However, if your window treatment gets direct water pressure, fauxwood blinds are best.

For additional privacy, consider those blinds without route holes (De-Light). If you're using vertical blinds, then consider the inherent approximately 1/2" gap below the vertical vanes near the sill, and determine if that is enough privacy for you - especially if the window is near your bath tub.

Nursery:
Of utmost concern is safety. Make sure your window blinds have the latest safety features, and that cords are not near cribs. Also be sure that if you get vinyl miniblinds that they are not the ones with hazardous lead. Blinds.com has NEVER sold those.

Darkening the room is usually the goal, so the blackout honeycomb shades are perfect. Window blinds with no route holes are also fine options.

Media Room:
Blackout honeycomb shades are most common. Some can even be made with side rails to eliminate all light. The De-Light feature should be added to wood blinds and mini blinds so that the light does not pierce through the route holes.

Study:
For a tailored look that's not too fussy, plantation shutters and wood blinds are appropriate.

Living Room:
For an elegant room, consider vertical soft shadings. They are quite popular and very stylish. Many designers frequently use them to camouflage less elegant, unattractive blinds.

Reprinted by permission.

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How to Measure for Blinds and Shades

Use a steel measuring tape and measure down to the nearest 1/8".

Don't be surprised if your windows aren't perfectly square.

Measure all windows, even if they appear to be the same size.

Decide if you want your blinds installed within the window opening (Inside Mount) or on your wall/trim (Outside Mount). Most people use an Inside Mount for a neater look, but make sure you have enough depth to allow the product to fit. Use an Outside Mount when your opening is too shallow or when your window is significantly out of square.

Measuring for INSIDE MOUNT:

Provide the EXACT window opening size. DO NOT TAKE ANY DEDUCTIONS. The factory will deduct approximately 3/8" to 1/2" from the width you designate so your product will not rub against the sides of your window.

Width

Measure in 3 places (top, middle, and bottom) and use the NARROWEST measurement.

Height

Measure in 3 places and use the TALLEST measurement, EXCEPT for vertical blinds and privacy sheer blinds (use the shortest measurement).

Measuring for OUTSIDE MOUNT:

Specify the EXACT WIDTH and the EXACT HEIGHT you want your product; the factory will make your product the exact size you specify. Include in your measurement room for the mounting brackets, which are up to 2-1/2" tall. Also consider adding a few inches on the sides, top, and bottom for additional privacy as well as to block more light. Be alert of any obstructions like a deadbolt or door knob.

Simplifying Window Coverings Care

When it's time to clean your blinds and shades, even your best friend is hard to find. But there are some simple and effective ways to clean blinds and shades with minimal effort.

Aluminum Miniblinds

Use ordinary soft, clean dust cloths, chemically treated dust cloths, vacuum cleaner brush attachments, or other available ordinary household aids. The paint surface of the slats is quite smooth and dust is easily brushed off if done at regular intervals.

To vacuum, use the brush dust head attachment and tilt the slats first up, then down (but not entirely exposed) to reach the entire top and bottom surfaces.

To dust, use a soft clean cloth or chemically treated dust cloth and tilt the slats as above.

To wash, use a damp cloth or sponge and mild detergent. Use warm or cold water - NOT hot water. Tilt the slats as above. Protect the floor or sill from excess water. The blind can also be taken down, placed in a bath tub of mild soapy water, then rinsed clean, wiped dry, or allowed to dry completely in the open air.

Wood Blinds

Care must be taken when cleaning real wood blinds. Washing the blind is NOT recommended. Although the wood is sealed, water or even excessive dampness may cause warpage or discoloration of the slats. Since the surface of the slats is smooth, dust may be easily brushed off at regular intervals using a clean soft dust cloth or a vacuum cleaner brush attachment. Clean them as described above.

Fabric Pleated Shades

Most of the cellular shades, like the Hunter Douglas Duette shade, are anti-static, and they require very little cleaning. A light sweep with your vacuum cleaner brush attachment is all that is needed to keep them dust free. For a more thorough cleaning, the entire shade assembly may be gently wiped with a soft damp cloth using lukewarm (not hot) water. Take special care when handling opaque (blackout) shades to avoid creasing, and do not immerse them in water. For tough stains, spot clean with a mild detergent. Some shades, like the Graber Crystal Pleat have a "soft hand" fabric. Be very careful when trying to clean these types of shades as they tend to "pill".