Not all of us live in modern house builds, with their perfectly regular windows and choosing a blind to fit an irregular shaped window can be a daunting prospect.
Perhaps it’s not the shape of the window that’s the issue but rather, where it is, what room it’s in and what you need your blind to do for you? Here, we offer a handy Direct Blinds Cork guide to choosing the right blind for every window in your home.
All around the bay
A bay window, in any room of the house, is a fantastic feature and focal point, adding character and charm. Tending to be larger than the average windows, the light brought into the room and the extended views outside are both features to you will want to make the most of.
Unfortunately, because of their size, and very often the angle of the bay, standard blinds very rarely fit. That’s why custom-made blinds are the ideal solution to complement the style and décor of any room, whilst fitting perfectly to the shape of the window, so you won’t lose any natural light. Tailor-made blinds are also available in huge range of styles and designs to suit your taste and the theme of your room – whether modern or traditional.
What works best for bay windows?
Roman blinds are a traditional option that offer a really luxurious aesthetic. These blinds fold up on themselves for a neat and tidy look both when the blinds are open and lowered, and can be fitted one blind per window panel. This allows the blind to follow the shape of the bay window, giving an excellent degree of control over the light and shade in the room.
Roman blinds are practical as well as very stylish, coming with a choice of linings that includes blackout lining. You can also choose an insulation lining, which will help reduce heat loss from the window.
The classic roller blind offers a stylish, crisp option, and are ideal for windows that do not have the stacking space above for Roman blinds.The compact design takes up minimal space and they are hugely versatile and nothing is left to obstruct your view.
For greater balance and control of light and privacy, vertical blinds are the perfect solution. With fingertip control, these versatile blinds can be installed on tracks to fit the whole window. The slats on these blinds can also be angled, so are ideal for allowing in a gentle filter of light without room for prying eyes to see in from outside.
No cords for children
For peace of mind, there should be no cords attached to blinds in children’s bedrooms or playrooms. But there are other reasons to go cord-less, including keeping window sills clutter free and where there are many angled small windows making up a larger expanse of glass.
The innovative Perfect Fit blind is designed with this in mind. It uses a made-to-measure frame that clips into place on uPVC window frames (without the need for drilling), upon which the blinds are then placed. This method makes the blind look an integral part of the window, and also leaves the windowsill clutter free. As each panel blind can be opened individually, it allows complete control of light entering the room. The frames allow Venetian, pleated or roller blinds to be perfectly fitted within it.
Big, wide windows?
Vertical Blinds are the perfect solution for large windows. Tilt the louvres to adjust the light entering the room and simply move the fabric across the rail to allow for a full view of the outdoors. Multiple fixing points is another reason why vertical blinds would be our blind of choice for your large windows.
If you want roller blinds on larger windows, we would recommend having two blinds because roller blinds only having a bracket at each end, so wide blinds could bow in the centre and cause a ripple in the fabric. By splitting them in two, they will be easier to operate and more practical.
Wooden Venetian blinds can be made up to 3000mm wide, but there is a down side with wooden blinds of this size they are very heavy to lift up and down. They are perfect for filtering the light by tilting the slats, but blinds of this size should only be raised and lowered for cleaning the windows. Raised and lowered regularly will affect the longer term reliability of the blind.
Conservatory window dressings
As your conservatory is likely to be the brightest room in the house, you’ll need blinds that adequately cut out enough sunlight to ensure the room is habitable in summer and on those blindingly sunny winter days too. So, where do you start?
Size – be sure to measure the length and width of all of your window panes so you know what size to look out for.
Thickness – you’ll also have to consider the thickness of your conservatory blinds, as thicker materials tend to be heavier and your conservatory may not be able to take the weight when the blinds are mounted.
Colour – colour is important too. Conservatory blinds may look one shade in the shop but may turn out to be an entirely different hue when mounted, with light streaming through.
What blind type for your conservatory?
Roman Blinds are often the best choice when it comes to styling. They can also be lined with blackout fabric. They are especially great if you have a lean-to or gable end style conservatory with square window frames which lend to a minimalist look.
However, Roman blinds can be difficult to clean and can act as a magnet for dust. If you have problems with condensation in your conservatory, they may also become mouldy.
When it comes to Venetian style blinds, you will need to choose aluminium ones, as PVC or wooden blinds will not be able to withstand the more demanding temperature conditions of a conservatory. Aluminium blinds offer a better sense of privacy as you can control the tilt and the amount of visibility through them. They are easy to clean and the aluminium won’t discolour. In addition, they are also quite light so won’t put any strain on your conservatory structure.
However, many people do not like the look of Venetian blinds and they can sometimes juxtapose with the styling over your conservatory.
Vertical blinds offer many similar benefits to Venetian blinds, in terms of privacy and light control. Again they are not heavy and should not cause any structural problems within your conservatory. Like Roman blinds, however, being made from fabric can make vertical blinds more susceptible to dust and insects. But most vertical blinds will be washable and easier to clean than Roman ones.
It’s also worth mentioning that vertical blinds do fade over time and, although the fading will be consistent throughout, it’s important to note if you have chosen them for aesthetic reasons.
Roller blinds are a good choice for a conservatory as they look good and are easy to clean as they retract fully. Problems do arise when it’s extremely sunny as you may have to draw down the blinds fully to block out the light. And, due to the sunlight, patchy fading may occur meaning that roller blinds would have to be replaced more frequently than venetian or vertical blinds.
Kitchens and bathrooms
When it comes to choosing a new blind for your kitchen or bathroom, it’s practicality all the way here. In both kitchens and bathrooms, there is a constant battle with steam, condensation, humidity and food spills – conditions in which unsuitable blinds can perish. With this in mind, you may need to reconsider your options.
Although you may dream of dressing your kitchen or bathroom windows in luxury blinds made from real wood, the reality is that damp or humid environments can stain, warp and even twist them over time. Don’t worry, as there are some deceivingly realistic faux wood Venetian blinds available that will look great.
When opting for fabric blinds, be sure to avoid cotton, linen and silk as they can rot, fade or shrink in moist environments. You should choose more suitable materials such as polyester, glass fibre and viscose as they have much greater longevity than natural materials.
I need my privacy!
If your bathroom or bedroom windows are overlooked by another house, or a public street, it can mean that your privacy is compromised. In order to restore your privacy you will need a blind that covers the length and width of your windows well, and is made up of opaque material that lets sufficient light into the room.
In this case, the best option to consider is a Bottom Up blind. These are the perfect choice as they retain your privacy while allowing light to filter in from the top.
If you’re looking for a little more privacy or simply want to darken a room, a Roman blind with blackout lining is the ideal option to suit your needs. Roman blinds are practical and elegant as they block out unwanted light – or nosey parkers – while remaining beautifully decorative.
Brrr, it’s chilly in here
If you have a particularly cold room, or draughty window, a pleated honeycomb blind is an excellent choice that will help to retain heat. It has a double layer of pleated fabric in a honeycomb pattern that traps air between the two layers of the blind keeps the heat in the room as well as reflecting excessive heat.
Filtering light
If dazzling sunlight floods through any room in your house and you want to avoid the dreaded sun-fade on furniture or flooring, Venetian or vertical blinds are your best choice for filtering unwanted light. They effectively deflect bright sunlight away while allowing just the right amount of light to enter the room.
Ask the experts
Our mission is to provide consumers with the best advice when choosing the perfect blind for every type of window in your home. Whatever the style or budget, you can buy with confidence at Direct Blinds Cork.
For more details, call us today on 021 435 4959 or visit our website for more information.
