Interesting facts you didn’t know about window blinds

People know about window blinds that they are those soft furnishings that keep the sunlight out from entering the room. That's what they are good at. But what most people don't know is that blinds come in a slew of choices and that each and every one of the types of blinds that exist can surprise you with features that you might have not known about. Colour, cost, inherent properties, design, sizes, are all things that the buyer should be aware of when deciding on a new window blind, depending on his needs and end results. There's actually more to a window blind than meets the eye, so let's take a look at some interesting facts.

Starting with a short walk through history, roman blinds were mainly used to act as a barrier against dust coming from the outside, in, you guest it, Rome. People came up with this idea to put fabric panels in their windows to prevent dust produced by the construction of the Coliseum and by gravel roads from entering their homes.

And as roman blinds were a shield against external dust, they also blocked out any unwanted light, the main role of blinds. Direct sunlight, together with its UV rays and generated heat, can prove to be really damaging, being responsible for almost 40% of the fading on different items in the house. An interesting fact is that blinds help achieve the best UV protection. Ensuring that your carpeting, pillows, furniture, leather furnishings, hardwood floors stand the test of time and preserve their colours by reducing a significant amount of the harmful effects of the sun with blinds mounted against your windows is essential. UV radiation tends to bounce off of solid objects, therefore get spread in multiple areas of a room, so fabric, aluminium or wooden blinds will filter or completely block natural light coming inside and solve substantial fading issues.

Second to that, did you know that the impact of light from the exterior, thus that of UV rays, heat and gain of privacy can be influenced through the way the slats of venetian blinds are tilted ?

Horizontal slats can be adjusted upwards (outside) or downwards (inside), each having its pros and cons. Angle slats with front edge of the blind upwards to achieve high levels of privacy and direct natural lighting, its energy and heat up to the ceiling and away from the room. A good energy saving strategy during the summer, as heat transfer is minimized and it keeps the room cooler.

Closed in the inside down direction, blinds will provide a softer, better look than when tilted with front edge of the blind up and will have the opposite effect. This way more light will be allowed through the small gaps where the slats overlap, deflecting heat right into the heart of the room, beneficial in the wintertime. Intimacy in this case lacks more easily.

In the end it's narrowed down to consumer preferences and the specific situation. Thanks to their versatility, horizontal blinds provide some type of functionality when adjusted in any position.

Next, window blinds are very helpful in diminishing the frequency of migraines. Blackout blinds are the ultimate answer here, as they combat sleep deprivation, which causes increased protein expression that is important in commencing and sustaining chronic pain.

Speaking of sleep, black window blinds are fosters of a more darkened atmosphere and private environment than light coloured blinds. This is mostly suitable for night shift workers who have to sleep during the day. If used as a colour accent within an interior, black blinds make a stylish element and focal point. Black window blinds are great in home theatre rooms and bathrooms, especially if on street level.

Also, black blinds are recommended during the winter months, as black is known to attract heat and sun. So any boost of heat absorbed from the sun will be released into the room and will help save on energy bills.

With all of these facts being said, we hope we have illuminated (see the pun there ?) you more on the various interesting aspects and benefits that a single window blind holds.