Today, Patty writes in:

Patty writes “What’s up with all the options on cellular blinds?”

If you’ve been shopping for any blinds lately, you might have noticed how there’s as many options to choose from as a new car. But I assure you, each one has it’s place. Though deciding which set of window blinds to get in which room; and how each will benefit you, isn’t always easy. I suggest taking it one room, one blind at a time, when determining which options are right for you.

For example, cordless blinds are great for homes with little ones in the house. Yet if the window is relatively high, you won’t be able to reach the top of the blind to bring it back down unless you have a stool nearby. It also won’t be any fun if the bottom of the blind is at ground level, unless of course you want to prove that you can still reach your toes. . . on a daily basis! That said cordless works great for average sized windows, you get a cleaner view with no cords, and because the strain isn’t put on the pull cord when the blinds are being raised and lowered, you might just extend the life of your blind.

Top down/bottom up is a great way to get privacy on those upstairs windows and also still let light in. You can have your blind all the way closed and release the top portion down, thus giving you more control over how much light you let in. Most commonly used in bedrooms and upstairs master bathrooms. One thing to remember is that you have 2 cords hanging down, holding the blinds (when they are open with the top down feature) plus the 2 cords to control the blind. Giving you 4 cords total. If this seems like too much, and the window isn’t too wide you can make them cordless as well. Eliminating the cords to control the blind, you just push each side up and down.

Continuous cord loop is ideal for those windows you want to make cordless but can’t because of size or position. It’s a control cord on a continuous loop that has hardware to screw into the side of your casing that keeps the cord on it’s own track, so to speak. This way you have no loose hanging cords to obstruct your view, and it is also safer if there are kids in your home.

Remote control is another way to keep your shades virtually cord free. It’s great for windows that are too high up and not used very often. It might also be a useful way to get your husband interested in blind shopping. After all, it’s one more gadget to play with! Still, you should remember that because of the cost, it may not be practical to get the remote control option on every blind in your house. And finally, you need to be aware that like most remote control items, you have to be positioned just right for the sensor to work in the first place.

Top down shades have a bottom rail that rests on the window sill and raises from the bottom of the blind. The bottom is fixed and never raises to the top.

Easy rise blinds (offered only by Hunter Douglas) are an option that keeps the cord the same length whether the shade is raised or lowered. It looks cleaner and sounds like it’s got it’s own little motor inside. You pump the shade up in multiple pulls and release it once for the blind to glide to close. It’s also another way to keep your husband interested while shopping for blinds, it’s one more thing to play with. ;)

2 on 1 headrail works well with very wide blinds. Though there is a gap in the middle of the blind between the shades it looks more uniform than having multiples shades in the opening. Because of one streamlined header. Most companies only offer 2 on 1, but a few companies, like Bali allow you to go with 3 blinds on one headrail. Perfect if you have one large window that slides open on each side, you can position the gaps so that they hit where the dividers in the window are. This is done by measuring each section. One thing to remember is that because you have multiple blinds on one headrail, you will have a set of controls for each blind. Cordless options are not available with 2 on 1 headrail.

Now all of this can seem overwhelming when you’re looking at all the options at once. And if you can’t make a decision, send your husband to go back and play with the remote display, take a deep breath and go back to square one with standard controls. Having the lift cord on the right will make a nice uniform look to all your shades, even if it lacks the pizazz of more “interactive” options previously discussed. And of course, I have some thoughts on window blind installation as well.

Do you have questions about the selecting or the installation of: tile, carpet or wall treatments (window blinds, etc)? Then email me your tale of woe and perhaps I will be able to answer your questions right here at the Flooring Diva Blog!

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