Fabric Blinds : A Custom Type Of Window Treatment
Fabric Blinds There is so much you can do with window treatments and fabric blinds. The choices and styles almost seem endless these days. If you want a certain fabric and style that isn’t ready made then you can go with custom made. Most fabric blinds are custom made anyway. Of course once you decide to go with fabric blinds you then have to know your window width and height to determine which style goes best with that window. Always use a metal tape measure. This way you get an accurate measurement. Do the width first, then the height. When measuring width you do it in three places: at the sill, in the middle and on the top. Use the narrowest of the three measurements that you got. Always use inches never feet. Take all your measurements to a 1/8 of the inch. Do the same when measuring height. Measure the right side, middle and left side top to bottom. In case of height however, you take the tallest measurement except for vertical blinds. If you plan to use an inside mount, deduct 1/3 to 1/8th of an inch of your results to allow for the inside mount. If it is mount that goes above the window you want don’t take or add to the window measurement. The next consideration is the type of fabric you want. You want to keep the lighting and privacy of the room in mind when you look at fabrics. Next consider the style of the room. If you have a gigantic picture window you may want to go with vertical blinds. If you have a historic treatment in the room you may want to go with balloon shades in silks, satins or lace. Fabric blinds are called software or soft treatment, because they have a softer look than aluminum or wood blinds. You want to use a color and texture that compliments the upholstery in the room you are working in. It can contrast or match its up to you. When choosing fabric blinds you have to decide how much sunrays you want to filter, as well as the privacy factor. With a with sheer opaque fabric you can block out UV rays and get some privacy and with total blackout fabric you get no-sun and total privacy. Some popular choices for fabric blinds are vertical blinds, roman shades in classic, flat relaxed or soft styles, balloon shades, London shades or cellular/honeycomb blinds. Flat roman shades hand flat and folds neatly on the top when raised. Relaxed Romans fall very softly. Classic Romans have inverted seamed panels creating precise folds. Soft Romans fall soft with the classic folds. Balloon shades have inverted pleats that cascade into billowing poufs. The larger ones have bigger poufs. London shades are flat on top and then have billows on the bottom. You can customize these shades with decorator hems, trims, fringes etc. Vertical Blinds made of fabric have plastic insets so they hang properly and tilt. They are a good alternative to drapes. They are made in light filtering materials and even have PVC backing for extra insulation. Honeycomb or cellular blinds are fabric shades that pull up in neat stacks, to get a perfect view. The run single, double and triple cell blinds. They come in light filtering or room darkening options. The light filtering types let gentle light in but gives total privacy. The cells can range from 3/8inch to ¾ inch in height. For the most part these fabric blinds are made in polyester. They are fade resistant and fire resistant as well. Depending on your budget there are a lot of options for someone looking for fabric blinds. Fabric blinds let you get a little more creative with your window treatment. They clean with a damp cloth or sponge and mild non-abrasive cleaner. Don’t water drench them and for custom fabrics check with the manufacturer for cleaning instructions. |
