Vertical Blinds – Finding The Right Ones

Vertical blinds have been around since before every house had electricity and indoor bathrooms! And believe it or not, styles haven't changed much at all. They still can be found in white, narrow slats, aluminum, and two drawstrings - one for the slats and one for the height.

Of course, if white aluminum isn't your first choice, you have thousands of other choices and options to think about. There are verticals to match paint colors. There are verticals to match furniture styles. (Yes, you can get verticals to match your country cottage dining room set.) There are verticals to match anything you want - including shower curtains!

In very hot and very cold climates, vertical blinds can be used to help control the temperature. Some come with thermal backing. Pure white - in any material - will help reflect hot sun and dark colors will help attract heat to a room that needs it.

Verticals come in standard sizes that fit the usual windows and patio doors. Custom sizes can be ordered either online or at your local home stores. Depending on the size and the style you are trying to achieve, you have a choice of installing your window blinds either "inside" or "outside" the window frame. Both have pros and cons, and the blinds themselves will usually dictate your choice - some only come with one option.

When buying verticals, consider how easy they will be to clean.

Those slats attract dust and dirt and it's not easy to get off, no matter what! The easiest ones to clean are the cheapest. The plastic and PVC materials have coatings that actually help the dust slide off - either by itself or with the help of a light weight duster. For spots or heavier all over dirt, you can spray any household cleaner on them. Let the solution drip all the way to the bottom and keep paper towels underneath to absorb the runoff. If spots remain, a soft sponge can help remove whatever stayed behind. To rinse, mix some plain water and water and spray that on; it will kill the suds and remove soap scum.

Verticals can be difficult to hang even for experienced installers. The larger the window, the more difficult the process. If your window blinds have multiple draws - you can pull them to either side - this entails more hardware and more labor. Many stores offer free or very inexpensive installation a few times a year, and frequently with a minimum purchase you can get free installation as well. If you aren't comfortable trying this for yourself, have the pros do it. If they make a mistake, they need to fix it, and that includes giving you new blinds if they damage them in the process.

If custom is your preference, many stores will even match or coordinate your wallpaper or other colors in the room. You can usually choose your choice of materials as well. Some consumers love to have their blinds match the wallpaper or sofa, but they still insist on good old fashioned plastic because of its ease of use and durability.

Many readers want to find out more about vertical blinds, and may go to Jesita Jerik's site to choose the best window blinds for their needs and save money at the same time.