Vertical Blinds
Vertical blinds are a fairly popular choice of window treatments even though they are a more recent creation in comparison with horizontal blinds. Their modern origin is traced back to Kansas City, Missouri, USA around the 1960's. Edward Bopp and Fredrick Bopp of the company called Sun Vertical filed the initial patent. Later on they sold off both the company and the patent.
Their origin can be traced further back in history though. Historians have found evidences of 8th century Japanese using wooden vertical blinds in their homes and temples. Another school of thought credits the desert-dwelling nomads as the inventors with strips of cloth that were hung across windows to keep out the heat.
As its name suggests, vertical blind has slats hanging down perpendicularly from the upper part of your window. Besides the typical head rail at the top, this particular type of blind comes with a further bottom rail fixed at the end near the floor. This component helps anchor and hold the blinds together and normally matches the window blind.
Vertical blinds are versatile and well suited for windows of almost any size and shape. Notably, they can be customized to be virtually as wide as you need. This is an edge over horizontal blinds which usually cannot exceed a certain maximum width. It makes them ideal when you have to cover large windows such as the sliding glass doors.
They also provide better privacy and light control over the horizontal type of blinds. When you want to avoid disturbance from the outside, they can block anybody from looking into your house while darkening the room to give you added seclusion. On the other hand, you may rotate the vanes open to allow the sunlight in. Most have a 180-degree rotation so it's possible to adjust the positions to permit the right amount of sunshine you desire. What's more, you are able to slide the blinds to the sides to allow for the most light and complete view beyond the windows. This is one reason they're a favorite covering for patio and French doors.
There are a couple of possibilities with regards to sliding the vertical blinds open. The slats can stack to one side, either the left or right. Or you can split them in the center stacking to each side and opening up like curtains. Similarly, the controls can be on either side of the blinds. All these conveniences add to their favor to become the de facto window treatment of a sliding glass door.
Another benefit to these wonderful solutions versus horizontal blinds is the easier upkeep. Horizontal blinds tend to gather dust, therefore you need to clean and dust them often. Thanks to being erected upright, vertical blinds provide greater resistance to dust collection. It is far from the extent of total maintenance free, but definitely a lot less efforts are required for dusting.
The fabric range of vertical window blind is very broad. Numerous materials from aluminum, jacquard, PVC, stitch bond to wood, and faux wood may be used. Aluminum lasts for quite a while and is thus cost effective. It is easy to maintain and keep clean as well. Vinyl will withstand humidity and is your best option for bathrooms and kitchens. Style wise, textile creates an exquisite setting to darken any sitting or dining room and is just the thing for large picture windows. Wood and faux wood are crisp and clean and could be stained to match your flooring. Ultimately though, it's your individual tastes which determine the choice of material making up the vertical blinds.
Window blinds are a necessity in your home. They offer the right balance of privacy and lighting for any space. With the countless selections and combinations, they also showcase the design of your living area. Of the different kinds of blind out there, plenty of contemporary residences and offices pick the vertical blinds for their fashionable visual appeal. You can hardly declare you've got a fantastic home decoration without having a hint of vertical blinds in the house.