Types of blinds
|
| Roman blinds |
Blinds are a type of window covering. There are many different types, but they typically incorporate individual pieces of fabric, timber or plastic (louvres or slats) hung vertical or horizontal which can be opened or closed to control privacy and light levels.
Blinds can be either ready-made (manufactured to standard sizes and cut to fit windows), or made-to-measure (manufactured and cut to bespoke window size).
Some of the most common types of blinds include:
- Vertical: Vertical lengths of material, usually fabric, that can be controlled with a sidewinder and cord or a long, thin plastic device called a 'wand'.
- Roman: Horizontal lengths of fabric folds that open and close by stacking up and down. There may be a plastic hook (cleat) around which the cord can be tied when the blinds are opened.
- Roller: A roll of fabric which wraps around a tube at the top of the window, usually with a sidewinder to roll the fabric up or down.
- Venetian: Horizontal lengths of metal, timber or plastic slats which are tilted to open or close. A cord can also be used to lift and lower the slats.
- Pleated: Folds of fabric that concertina upwards, with a cord as control device.
- Perfect fit: This type of blind fits in the frame between the beading and glazing of a window. A tab operation is used to open and close.
- Skylight: Comprises a single layer of fabric that fits within a frame, with a tab operation to open and close.
- Shutters: Timber louvred panels positioned within a frame with a wand to control.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
ECA, JIB and JTL back Fabian Society call to invest in skills for a stronger built environment workforce.
Women's Contributions to the Built Environment.
Calls for the delayed Circular Economy Strategy
Over 50 leading businesses, trade associations and professional bodies, including CIAT, and UKGBC sign open letter.
The future workforce: culture change and skill
Under the spotlight at UK Construction Week London.
A landmark moment for postmodern heritage.
A safe energy transition – ECA launches a new Charter
Practical policy actions to speed up low carbon adoption while maintaining installation safety and competency.
Frank Duffy: Researcher and Practitioner
Reflections on achievements and relevance to the wider research and practice communities.
The 2026 Compliance Landscape: Fire doors
Why 'Business as Usual' is a Liability.
Cutting construction carbon footprint by caring for soil
Is construction neglecting one of the planet’s most powerful carbon stores and one of our greatest natural climate allies.
ARCHITECTURE: How's it progressing?
Archiblogger posing questions of a historical and contextual nature.
The roofscape of Hampstead Garden Suburb
Residents, architects and roofers need to understand detailing.
Homes, landlords. tenants and the new housing standards
What will it all mean?
The Architectural Technology podcast: Where it's AT
Catch-up on the latest episodes.
Edmundson Apprentice of the Year award 2026
Entries now open for this Electrical Contractors' Association award.
Traditional blue-grey slate from one of the oldest and largest UK slate quarries down in Cornwall.
There are plenty of sources with the potential to be redeveloped.
Change of use legislation breaths new life into buildings
A run down on Class MA of the General Permitted Development Order.
Solar generation in the historic environment
Success requires understanding each site in detail.
Comments