Clear PVC is highly susceptible to degradation due to exposure to ultra-violet light and pollutants in the atmosphere. Over time it will turn yellow, milky and brittle. UV inhibitors are added during the manufacturing process but blinds left down in sunny positions will have a life of around 5 years.
Thus, making it the best outdoor blinds to avoid harsh Sun-light, heavy rain, and dust. PVC Blinds with Lining always give a long life (7-8 yrs) compared to other outdoor blinds and best to avoid heavy rains.
In fact, with the exception of certain films, paints and glues, when people refer to vinyl they quite often really mean PVC. In recent years, PVC has become a particularly popular material for blinds. Firstly, PVC is strong and durable, this means it won't warp like wood. It is also waterproof.
Both wood and faux wood blinds are perfect for homeowners who want natural, warm beauty in their window coverings. And while you can't go wrong with either type of blind when it comes to matching your home's décor and style, faux wood blinds are the way to go if you're looking for the utmost in durability.
How Long Do Blinds Last? The average lifespan of window treatments is seven to eight years but homeowners may want to replace their blinds even before then. Otherwise, old and worn-out blinds in your Philadelphia home might become unsafe and unsightly.
So what's the average lifespan of blinds? Blinds, like shades, need to be replaced every few years. Often, you'll see signs of wear and tear on your window treatments that are a good indication they need to be replaced. We recommend replacing them every 6-8 years to ensure proper safety and ease of use.
Your blinds will start to deteriorate slightly and discolour after 5 years. We recommend changing your blinds roughly every 6-8 years. If you can't remember the last time you changed your blinds, it's probably time for a refresh!
Aluminum blinds are more energy efficient than their vinyl counterparts because aluminum reflects the sun's heat more effectively, leading to cooler rooms in your house during the summer. Vinyl absorbs the heat from the sun, so for a large window, aluminum blinds would be a better option.
Metal. This next option combines affordability and durability. The price per window for metal blinds falls between $15 and $40, and they are much more durable than vinyl. With proper maintenance and care, a set of metal blinds can last a lifetime.
Older window treatments not only make your home look dated, but they're likely worn out and could be dangerous. Other than interior shutters, most window treatments only have a usable life of about 7 or 8 years, so it's probably time to upgrade yours.
Wooden blinds are perfect for bedrooms or living rooms – those spaces where you deserve a touch of luxury to indulge in. Plastic blinds are a cheaper option. PVC is also a strong solution that can withstand exposure to UV rays while being ideal for rooms including the bathroom and kitchen.
PVC composites are used to create faux wood blinds. Due to the possibility of warping from heat absorption, dark grey or brown faux blinds should not be used in very hot areas such as conservatories or south-facing windows.
The synthetic material is able to withstand strong winds and rain more so than timber can. PVC can block large % of UV more so than its timber counterparts. They have more insulation properties than timber.
Cons of PVC Blinds
In terms of cons, there aren't too many to speak of. One con is the weight which results in more ladders being used which sometimes give a cluttered look. Some customers may have reserves about purchasing a synthetically made product, but we feel the pros far outweigh the cons.
As one of the most-used plumbing materials, PVC pipe is known for being very durable and long-lasting. In fact, PVC pipes last approximately 100 years. Of course, there are various factors that determine just how long specific PVC pipes will survive, including what it's exposed to and how it's installed.
There are many different types of window blinds and shades out there. Which material you go for is one of the biggest cost factors. Vinyl, plastic, and synthetic blinds cost the least, while wood and leather are the most expensive.
Plastic blinds (usually made out of vinyl, like PVC) are usually the most affordable of the materials, but they don't always look as refined as wood or faux wood. They do, however, come in different colors and textures and can even mimic the look of wood.
Get vertical blinds, roller shades, or cellular shades! With traditional horizontal blinds, dust can settle on each slat... agitating pesky allergies, or forcing you to clean your blinds often. But vertical blinds and roller shades don't have a surface to catch dust, making them virtually allergy and maintenance free!
Some of the cheaper PVC Shutters are not coated with the correct UV stabilizer to withstand hot windows therefore may warp or yellow.
PVC material doesn't get easily damaged. It is tolerant to humidity and the harsh conditions that the sun can cause. Its colour doesn't fade easily, making PVC vertical blinds more durable and a worthwhile investment for window coverings.
With or without air con, you can use faux-wood blinds to help to prevent a room from becoming uncomfortably hot in the first place, as they deflect heat and their thick PVC slats make it hard for heat to penetrate.
The national cost of new blinds (both the blinds themselves and installation) averages $700-771 for eight windows (a “full house” job); $200 to $1,330 is a typical range. But of course, you can spend less or (a lot) more, depending on the style, material, degree of customization and tech features.
'From a best practice point of view, we recommend opening blinds at night on west and north-west facing windows to help with nighttime cooling and closing the blinds during the day on east and south-east facing windows to help create a cool refuge from the sun. '
Remember that upward facing blinds do best when you are “up” and awake during the daytime hours; downward facing blinds are best when you are “down” and ready to go to sleep during the nighttime hours.