NEED HELP DECIDING IF VERTICAL ARE RIGHT FOR YOU?

Vertical blinds were a breakthrough window treatment that arrived on the market during the 1970’s. This new modern look became the replacement for the horizontal mini blind. The fact that a vertical blind is virtually maintenance free was welcomed by all those suffering from the dusting dilemma inherent in horizontal blinds. A fresh new look at that time led to total market domination during the 80’s and 90’s. Today, some people may say that verticals give a “dated” look. Considering that the product has been in use for over 50 years, that is not such an unfair statement. The advantages that a vertical offer will guarantee that vertical blinds will be used forever. A great way to cover large windows and sliding glass doors without breaking the bank. A product that can offer low maintenance, total control of light and privacy, a neat and clean look at an affordable price – that makes a lot of sense.

Cadence by Hunter Douglas

Known for quality and aesthetic appeal, the Cadence® soft vertical blinds by Hunter Douglas offer a luxurious, curved blind that mimics drapes. Available in many colors and materials, the Cadence® vertical blinds are a good fit for any home. Available with Hunter Douglas’s patented headrail design, these verticals will give you years of trouble-free operation while reducing traditional light gaps other brands may have. Additionally, the curved blinds provide additional acoustic protection by reducing outside noise.

Fashion and Style

Vertical blinds are known for bringing a neat and simple energy into a room, and for this reason their popularity has risen hand-in-hand with that of modern or contemporary homes, which are typically decorated with an eye toward the entire space, and not just one or two individual pieces or decorations that draw attention. They are also known to make a room “feel” taller, so they are commonly used in large dens and living rooms where cathedral ceilings exist.

Vertical blinds are made of either vinyl or fabric. The vinyl blinds have become the most popular as they offer the washability and light control desired by families with kids and pets. The engraved vinyl also provides a nice finished product that doesn’t give a cheap look. Fabric verticals will often be used in rooms that desire the most amount of light – typically living rooms and dining rooms. Fabric may give up washability , however; they offer a softer elegance that only a fabric can deliver. Vertical blinds can also be taken a step further with a vertical wrap – a treatment where fabric is hung on a vinyl vertical blind similar to the way a slipcover is used on a piece of furniture. This vertical wrap becomes a modern-day drapery that gives a very elegant look that functions great and gives a very dressy look. A sheer during the day that offers a view to the outside and a vertical blind that can be closed for privacy at night. All done in one treatment at less than half the cost of a traditional two-layer drapery.

Fitting Vertical Blinds

Most vertical blinds will be mounted on the outside of a window or door framing. The most attractive part of a vertical – its ability to tilt and turn – requires sufficient space to allow the slats to freely rotate. Sliding glass doors are never deep enough to mount any window treatment within the frame, so it is quite commonplace that the vertical blinds are mounted on the wall – covering the door and the moldings. Windows can sometimes offer sufficient depth to hang a vertical within the frame of the window, but more often than not, they will be hung on the wall with what is termed an outside mount. Bay and Bow windows provide the extra depth needed and this is where we can custom size several vertical tracks to follow the shape of the window. Topped off with a one-piece valance can really show off the interest of this special window.

Vertical Blinds: Materials and Cost

As with most window treatments, vertical blinds are made from a variety of different materials, and each one comes with its own costs and benefits. Vertical blinds made from vinyl are the most popular and cost-effective. Who hasn’t visited a doctor’s office where plain vinyl verticals are hanging throughout the entire office. This is the most cost-effective way to get the benefits of a vertical, but we will leave the plain vinyl for those commercial applications. There are so many engraved vinyls that give the look of a fabric. They are a little more expensive than plain vinyl, but the look cannot be compared. These engraved and textured vinyls can often fool people into thinking they are a fabric. Vinyl verticals also come with an “S” shaped slat, trying to give the look of a drapery fold. Hunter Douglas takes it a step further with their Cadence® vinyl vertical that has a rolled edge and gives a very unique look compared to a typical vertical. A valance will also be used regardless of which type of vertical you choose. An executive valance with a decorative accent trim can complete the look and will be reasonably priced. Double valances are also available and can be a great choice for those extra-wide living room windows.

Fabric verticals have always been a popular choice for living rooms and dining rooms. These two rooms are often connected and seem to have the largest windows or a sliding glass door. They are two rooms where a light look is almost always desired and the fabric yields a more elegant feel to the room as the light passes through the slats. The fact that fabric is translucent also gives the window or door a warm look to the outside at nighttime. With the lights on at night, the light will pass through the fabric slats giving that same glow to the outside and giving the impression that you are home. There are many decorative fabrics available in a wide range of colors. You can expect fabric verticals to be more costly than vinyl verticals and it is easy to understand why.

Cleaning Vertical Blinds

Perhaps one of the best parts of owning a vertical blind is that you will not have to clean it very often. Those with vinyl verticals may have purchased it knowing they have the ability to clean their blind when needed. . Having a pet or child in the house will guarantee the need to clean it at some point in time. The easiest way to clean your vinyl is with a damp rag. If this doesn’t work with just water, add a little dish detergent as needed. If more strength is needed, a drop of Soft Scrub(without bleach) will often make the difference. One thing that you should never do is to immerse them into a bath of hot water. This will warp your slats and ruin them. Cleaning them while they are hanging is usually the best way to do it and not so time consuming.

Fabric is more of a maintenance thing as you will need to vacuum your slats on a more regular basis. You will feel like you are not doing anything, however; the vacuuming will get rid of the dust that you cannot see.

Ultrasonic cleaning is always an option that will clean your vinyl or fabric slats better than anyone can scrub them clean.