How to Choose Venetian Blinds

For example, traditional curtains can be made from thick or lightweight fabric: the former offers excellent sun protection but blocks airflow when the window is open; the latter allows air circulation and lets in light but fails to shield against prying eyes at night.

Blinds avoid these issues due to their design and materials. Both vertical and horizontal blinds perform equally well in tasks like sun protection, preventing room overheating, blocking dust and rain, and creating directed airflow and thermal control.

How to choose blinds that will serve you reliably in all these scenarios while staying within budget? This article will guide you through the process.

Types of Blinds and Product Construction

Blinds can be roughly divided into four main categories:

• vertical,
• horizontal,
• roller blinds,
• security grilles (protective blinds).

The main structural component of all blinds except roller types is the slat. Slats can be oriented vertically, horizontally, or connected via flexible links as in security grilles. Roller blinds consist of a continuous piece of fabric or synthetic material.

Vertical Blinds

This design is becoming increasingly popular in residential and public interiors, so we’ll examine it in detail. Besides the slats, vertical blinds include additional structural elements: a track (headrail), weights, and control cords for rotation and folding.

The track can be made of plastic (more affordable options) or aluminum—pay close attention to this when choosing. The longevity of blinds largely depends on track quality; plastic tracks may sag under the weight of slats.

The runner is a plastic or metal connecting piece pressed into the track frame, to which the slat is attached. As the name suggests, it moves along the track, gathering or spreading the blinds. The most critical point here: runners must not have burrs, as these cause friction and degrade the user experience.

Weights are attached to the bottom of each slat to keep them hanging straight and prevent them from flaring apart due to air movement from an open window.

Besides these components, vertical blinds have two cords: one connecting the slats at the bottom, and another hanging from the side, used for control—folding and rotating the slats. Always choose blinds equipped with metal cords.

When purchasing, confirm the manufacturers of components: Israeli and Dutch parts are known for top quality, followed by German and Polish. Avoid cheap Chinese or domestic runners, cords, and weights—cutting corners costs twice as much in the long run.

Types and Materials of Slats

The most common slat widths for vertical blinds are 89 mm and 127 mm. Wider slats are used in large window openings, narrower ones in smaller windows. Slats are typically made from fabric or plastic; rarer and more expensive options include wood or aluminum (or its alloys).

Despite the wide variety, fabric blinds remain the most popular. First, the material closely resembles traditional curtains and drapes. Second, fabric varies in texture, density, and color—making fabric slats highly versatile for solving aesthetic challenges. Polyester fabric slats are easy to clean and resistant to fading in sunlight.

If you choose 100% cotton slats, be aware that a special anti-shrinkage treatment may gradually wear off after several wet cleanings.

When selecting fabric for your blinds, you’ll face a choice between inexpensive Chinese or Belarusian non-woven materials and French or Belgian jacquard fabrics with intricate weaving. Prices differ by 2–4 times. The upper price range for such materials is around 1,000–1,200 RUB per square meter. The weaving method and material density determine resistance to deformation. Non-woven materials, in turn, poorly withstand moisture (e.g., open window during rain or windy, humid weather) and stain easily, losing their appearance.

What to Consider When Buying

Here are key details to keep in mind:

• Decide how to install the blinds: directly into the window frame or on the wall above the window. The first option is incompatible with plants on the windowsill, as slats need free movement for rotation. The second is less visually harmonious but fully covers the window opening, leaving space for small potted plants.
• Order blinds 2 cm shorter than the vertical window opening height to prevent them from touching the windowsill, or 15–20 cm longer than the window height to ensure full coverage.
• Choose the most convenient way to open the slats: from right to left, left to right, or both directions relative to the track’s center. This choice should align with the window’s opening direction.

The recommendations in this article on how to choose blinds are only a small part of this rich and fascinating interior topic. Beyond these points, many other important factors must be evaluated on-site, based on the blind’s design and placement.