In 1769, an Englishman named Edward Bevan was awarded the first patent for Venetian blinds. He discovered you could place wooden slats in a frame and manipulate the slats to let light into a room. John Hampson of New Orleans made adjustments to the invention in 1841.
Some trace them back to southwestern Asia, believing their origin in Italy came about from trade with Persian merchants. However, other theories date Venetian blinds all the way back to Ancient Egypt, where they first wove reeds into slats to provide respite from the sun.
Although the early history of Venetian window blinds is mostly conjectural, they are thought to have originated in Persia, not Venice. Venetian traders discovered the window coverings through their trade interactions in the East and brought them back to Venice and Paris.
In 1946, Hunter Douglas first mass produced aluminum window blinds. The distributors would sell the blinds by day and assemble them at night for their customers. By 1950, vertical blinds were invented and became the newest thing in blinds. In the 70's mini blinds became popular with very narrow slats.
John Hampton was the first to modernize Venetian blinds technology – and modern day Venetian blinds are built according to his updated designs. The company Hunter Douglas was the first to create aluminum blinds in the 1940s – and in the 1960s, mini-blinds, with their single inch slats were invented (later becoming a .
Blinds made of narrow, light-weight horizontal wood slats, adjustable to admit or exclude light, were developed in 1794, and called Venetian blinds. The blinds were often used instead of window curtains or shutters.
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.
Metal blinds are the right choice for high traffic rooms where durability is key. They can last up to 20 years before needing to be replaced. Wood alternatives like metal blinds stand up to heat and humidity as well, which is why we recommend metal blinds for rooms like kitchens and bathrooms.
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.
The word “Shade” is simply the American term for “Roller Blind”. Here in the UK, a Roller Blind is a type of fabric blind that uses a piece of fabric on a roller to cover the window.
Old English blind "destitute of sight," also "dark, enveloped in darkness, obscure; unintelligent, lacking mental perception," probably from Proto-Germanic *blindaz "blind" (source also of Old Frisian, Old Saxon, Dutch and German blind, Old Norse blindr, Gothic blinds "blind"), perhaps, via notion of "to make cloudy, ...
They were mainly used to block out the cold and were constructed of wood or fabric. With new fabrics and patterns, window coverings have become more adaptable and simple to use. Window blinds are a common option for many homeowners today because of the variety of designs and hues available.
When down, curved blinds are designed to completely shut out light from a room. With the curved slats, which are usually crafted from plastic, the blinds form a completely flat surface, leaving no gaps between the slats, this shutting light out of a room completely.
That yardage of curtain fabric gets expensive quickly. Additionally blinds and shades give the opportunity to adjust how much sun comes in the windows where curtains are more about blocking sunlight. Because they provide privacy while still allowing light into the room.
Corded blinds are dangerous to children and pets. Roughly one child per month dies from blind cord strangulation, and more than 600 children per year are injured. That's nearly an average of 2 preventable injuries to a child per day. Between 1990 and 2015, more than 16,000 children were injured.
Aluminum Blinds
They use metal instead of plastic or wood. Aluminum blinds are durable and less susceptible to bends and breaks than plastic blinds. They have a clean, versatile look that can match most décor. They come in a variety of color and style options.
Closed blinds serve to deflect the sun (and so, heat) before it gets into the room, which reduces unwanted solar gain and helps to keep your home cooler in turn.
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!
Venetian: Venetian blinds are the most common type of window blind.
Vertical Blinds
Arguably the easiest blinds to clean, vertical blinds feature long slats that run up and down rather than side to side. That means these versatile blinds collect less dust and dirt compared to horizontal blinds since the dust falls to the floor instead of on the vertical slats.
PVC vertical blinds
These are waterproof and so good for liquid/food-related challenges. They're also generally very robust in terms of the louvres themselves, and can withstand quite a sustained attack by most forms of child-appropriate projectiles and weaponry.
Roller shades are some of the most modern blinds you can get. They are very sleek and simple and they offer a really neat and streamlined look. Your best bet is to avoid patterns and prints and go for those core colours we mentioned above.
Chick blinds are a traditional form of screen popular in Bengal, placed both inside the house (to create separation between sections) and outside on verandahs or balconies.