Types of Patio Patio Door Window Treatments

July 4, 2010 by admin
Filed under Garden Decor

Window treatments or blinds are specific type of window covering made from either metal, plastic, fabric or wood. The slats can be adjusted by rotating them causing the blinds to either open or closed. Large blinds are usually machine operated, while small ones can be opened or closed by hand.

The most common type are known as slat or Persian blinds. These consist of multiple horizontal slats, usually made from vinyl or metal, attached together with a string so they can rotate to allow light to pass through, usually the slats can rotate up to around 170 degrees to either entirely show the light, or entirely hide it. Persian blinds are very good for controlling how much exterior or natural light enters a room.

Venetian patio door blinds are made from horizontal slats. These blinds use basic materials like plastic or metal. Wood can also be used but the style is usually referred as wood or bamboo blinds. They are suspended by cords or strips of cloth which allow the slats to rotate almost 180 degrees. They can be rotate so that they overlap with one side facing outward and then in the opposite directions so they face inward. These extreme angles allow light to be completely blocked or completely shown. Venetian blinds used in the 1700’s in England, but the French were thought to have used them long before then. In the 19 and 20th centuries, they became popular to regulate air and light in office buildings.

Cellular blinds, or Honeycomb blinds get their name from their unique shape of having multiple cells glued together. When viewing from a side angle, it distinctly resembles a honeycomb. These blinds are very energy efficient and get their efficiency from small pockets of air created by the cells. Cellular blinds can come in two main types, these are room darkening fabrics and light filtering fabrics. Honeycomb blinds can come in several configurations, top down only, standard corded, and continuous cord loop. They are often referred to as a softer alternative to wooden blinds.

Choosing the right patio door window treatment is important from both a decorating and energy efficiency perspective.