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If light leakage through fully closed slats creates glare on computer
or television screens or if light disturbs sleep, additional light
reduction can be accomplished in several ways:
- Slats are available
in two different types: flat and curved. Flat provides a clean uniform
look that is traditional. Curved provides stronger light protection
for a darker room.
If light leakage through fully closed slats creates glare on computer
or television screens or if light disturbs sleep, additional light
reduction can be accomplished in two ways:
To view these options, click here for a pop-up picture
- Routless: This feature, also known as de-Light, NoHoles
and LightMaster, reduces light leakage by eliminating the
traditional rout hole through the center of the slat and replaces
it with a notch on the side of each slat through which the cording
controlling the tilting and lifting of the blind runs.
- Cloth Tapes: Available in widths ranging from 1 to 2.
Cloth tapes minimize light leakage through rout holes. Tapes in
solids and decorative prints coordinate with room colors and add
that finishing touch to your window treatment. Cloth tapes are
appropriate only on Composite-type faux wood blinds as the closeness
of the ladder spacing on PVC blinds makes cloth tapes look busy
and unattractive.
Valance - Some manufacturers
offer optional upgrades for a valance.
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Faux wood blinds provide a practical cost effective alternative
to real wood blinds. They:
- Provide you with the look of wood blinds but at a lower price.
- Will not to crack or warp and are recommended for high humidity
environments and rooms that are subject to moisture, such as bathrooms,
kitchens, and laundry rooms.
- Faux Woods have limited color selection
- Approximately 60% (composite) to 100% (PVC) heavier than American
hardwood wood blinds of equal size. The heavier the blind
the greater the effort to raise and lower it.
- Effectively control outside light by tilting the slats with
a wand or cord while keeping your privacy. A room can be
darkened substantially when the slats are fully closed.
- If you desire cloth tapes, carefully consider whether the finished
look will satisfy you. Because of the nature of the slat material,
a greater number of supporting ladders are required to maintain
the shape of the blind than required in wood blinds. Average ladder
spacing approximates 8" to 10" and can dramatically
reduce your view.
- Easy to maintain and extremely durable.
- To reduce wear and tear on cords, fully open slats before pulling
the blind up. This reduces friction and requires less effort.
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- Approximately 60% heavier than hardwoods which make it more
difficult to raise and lower the blind.
- Slats do not warp.
Will require more ladders (also known as strings) to support
slats due to the composite materials lesser rigidity as
compared with wood. More ladders means more "clutter"
to look through when enjoying the view out your window. The wider
the window the greater the number of ladders.
To view ladder spacing comparison between wood blinds and
PVC faux wood blinds, click here for a pop-up picture
- Heaviest in weight of 2 horizontal blind options - about
twice as heavy as American Hardwood blinds.
- Very difficult to lift.
- Do not warp.
- Will require more ladders (also known as strings) than wood
or Composite to support slats due to PVCs lesser rigidity
than either wood or composite.
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As a rule, the narrower the slat, the more slats necessary. What
this means for you is:
To view slat size comparison, click here for a pop-up picture
- The 1" slats create a busy look, limiting your view to
the outside. If you are working around a door handle you
may need a 1" slat size. However, you may want to consider
changing the handle on the door and using a 2" or wider slat.
Also consider that with a 1" slat, when fully raised, the
stack can cover a good portion of your upper window, blocking
the view.
- Blinds made with 2" wide slats provide a traditional look
and are the most popular of the widths available.
- The 2 5/8-inch, and 3" slats provide a shutter-like look
and offer a less obstructed view to the outside; because the slats
are wider, it takes fewer slats to construct the blind. With
a 2 5/8" or wider slat, when fully raised, the stack will
block the smallest amount of space in your window, maximizing
your view.
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- Living room
- Dining room
- Family room
- Kitchen
- Office
- Breakfast nook
- Bedroom
- Game room
- Bathroom
- Laundry room
- Garage
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