HAWKESBURY INDEPENDENT MAY 2015 | Page 47

// ome h garden Getting quotes from blinds suppliers If it’s been awhile since you needed blinds, take a few minutes to learn about the new types of blinds that are available today. You’ll be amazed by the variety you have to choose from. Your next challenge will be in choosing the best blinds for your needs and finding a blind supplier. Brianns Curtains and Blinds at Richmond. There are four basic types of blinds: •Venetian blinds are one of the types of blinds we think of first when we think of blinds. The largest selling Venetian blinds are made from aluminium or plastic slats arranged horizontally. The slats can easily be adjusted to block out light or let light in by either lifting the blinds or adjusting the slats. Standard Venetian blinds have relatively wide slats, while “mini-blinds” have narrow slats. •Roller blinds are another popular type of blind and rival Venetians in sales. Basic roller blinds are simply wide sheets of stiff cloth fitted to a roller mechanism. •Vertical blinds are designed for wider spaces than Venetian blinds can accommodate. Instead of having slats arranged horizontally, they hang vertically. Vertical blinds are often chosen for areas such as sliding glass doors, where horizontal blinds would sag. •Roman blinds operate with a cord that draws them up or down as the cord on Venetian blinds do, but this is where their similarity ends. Roman blinds consist of a single sheet of cloth that is segmented. When raised their segments fold neatly together. All of these types of blinds have been with us for generations and most Australians are familiar with them. However, blinds work so efficiently and are so long-lasting, many consumers think of them as “old-fashioned” and don’t realise that blind manufacturers have kept up with the times. Choosing Modern Blinds- In many rooms, blinds take up more wall space than anything except the painted walls. For that reason alone, they should be considered an important element of interior design. Instead, many homeowners spend a great deal of time choosing paint colours and curtains, but make do with the blinds they have. This is a big mistake, because both aesthetically and environmentally, the right choice of blinds can make a big difference in your home. Venetian blinds enjoyed a surge in popularity when mini- blinds were introduced. Since then, they have continued to improve, with larger designer colour ranges to choose from even in budget brands and popular timber Venetians replacing standard blinds in many homes. Roller blinds, too, now come in a range of designer colours and even textures, but there is even more reason to consider replacing your outdated roller blinds. Some brands now block out up to 90 percent of light and have been shown to be able to reduce air conditioning costs by up to 40 percent. If you’re looking for energy efficient roller blinds that are trendy and stylish as well, look into the ranges of semi-transparent roller blinds on the market today. They are the perfect solution if you want to be able to enjoy your view but want to keep the harsh light of the sun outside. Vertical and Roman blinds, as well, have kept up with the times. They come in wider ranges of designer colours and patterns; have greatly improved mechanisms (including remote control) and even energy efficient styles. The latest thing in Roman-style blinds, for example, is a new type of blind called the “honeycomb” blind. Honeycomb blinds are made out of hexagonal “cells” that provide superior insulation from both heat and cold. With so many modern styles to choose from, getting quotes for blinds can be a time consuming and potentially exhausting process. Brianns at Richmond give a obligation free quote and always strive to beat any written quote you may have. Give them as much information as you can and don’t forget to mention whether the windows or doors you need blinds for are facing the sun or are in a shaded area. This will help them recommend the right type of blinds for every room. It takes minutes to fill out the form, is cost