Venetian blinds have been popular around the world for centuries and it is easy to see why when you consider just how versatile they are and how much light control they afford. They are ideal in places where there is strong sunlight — such as north-facing Australian windows — because you can adjust the amount of glare you get whilst not blocking out too much natural sunlight as you might do with curtains, for instance. However, some people who have never bought Venetian blinds can be a little concerned about where to start. Read on to find out everything you need to know before you proceed.

All Window Treatments

Venetian blinds are good for nearly every type of window. They must have sufficient room to be fully raised out of the way and not have anything that blocks their way when they are dropped down. Most blinds of this type will sit within a window recess quite happily but you can also fit them to the wall in front of it if the recess is not sufficiently large. Glazed doors, as well as floor-to-ceiling windows, can be accommodated by this sort of blind. However, most Venetian blind manufacturers will have a maximum span they can cope with. That said, very large spans often look good with a pair of Venetian blinds placed over them side-by-side.

Slat Considerations

When you buy a set of Venetian blinds, you will need to decide the size of the slats you want for the product. Smaller windows look good with 20 mm slats but you might like to consider wider ones of up to 50 mm if you are covering a larger window or a glazed patio door. Of course, it comes down to personal preference in interior design but large blinds with small slats tend to look unnecessarily busy.

Material Choices

Venetian blinds can be made from many materials. Wood and aluminium are popular choices but so is plastic these days. Plastic slats can look very smart and won't appear to be a cheap material, especially if a faux wood effect has been applied. All these materials are long-lasting and don't require much maintenance, so it comes down to what will look best with the rest of your room's décor. Remember that the materials you choose also come down to the blind's suspension system. Cords are often used but if you want to block out more light, then ribbons are preferable since they will cover more of the holes each of the slats will have.

For more information about Venetian blinds, contact a window treatment service.