Expression Blinds have something to cater for every taste and budget; from plain low cost fabrics, to contemporary patterns and prints in a vibrant choice of colours!
Vertical blinds are popular due to their versatility; they can not only be open or closed, but can be tilted to any angle to suit the user. This allows for increased privacy and protects from direct sunlight whilst maintaining optimum light levels in the room.
We can manufacture vertical blinds to fit curved or angled bay windows, French doors and sloping windows. We can also supply blackout vertical fabrics to darken the room if required, and hard-wearing PVC options are available too. There is also the option of 3.5 or 5 inch slats to create your desired look!
If you have children or pets (or both!), you can have peace of mind, knowing that we ensure every blind is fitted in line with legal safety requirements. You can also ask us any questions you may have about this- we’d be happy to answer!
Vertical blinds consist of two basic elements, a rigid headrail along which travel louvre carriers incorporating rotatable hooks and a set of louvres each of which hangs from one of the hooks.
The carriers are connected to each other in such a way that they can be bunched together at one, or both, ends of the headrail, or drawn out along the full width of the headrail.
When drawn out, the distance between adjacent hooks is less than the width of the louvres. Therefore when the hooks rotate the blind to the closed position each louvre overlaps the louvre or louvres next to itself.
Vertical blind headrails are made in extruded aluminium which is either anodised or painted. They normally have a plain or ribbed face, however some are available with a recessed front which accepts a piece of louvre fabric. This gives the whole blind a co-ordinated appearance.
Components within the headrail are of injection moulded plastic with the exception of the links which control the spacing of the carrier trucks. These can be made of stainless steel or plastic.
Operation can be dual control with separate louvres for tilt and traverse or mono controlled through a gearbox. Electrical operation is available. For bay windows, tracks can be curved or joined.
Louvres are normally weighted at the bottom and connected to each other by chains which are fitted near the bottom of the louvres.
Louvres can be made in a variety of materials. Woven, knitted or non-woven fabrics are used to cut out the glare of sunlight whilst allowing a soft diffused light into the room.
Where more light control is needed, for instance in computer rooms, flexible, laminated PVC fabrics are normally specified.
Although these can be completely opaque it should be noted that vertical blinds cannot be used when 100% blackout is required.
Aluminium or rigid, extruded PVC louvres are also available.
Louvres are generally supplied 127mm or 89mm wide although other widths, such as 100mm, 63mm and 50mm, can be supplied. Louvres can be flame-proofed to UK and other standards.
They are also available in washable fabrics and special treatments are available to kill MRSA.
Vertical Blinds: The Ins and Outs
Bunching – left hand or right hand bunch – all louvres bunch on left-hand side or right-hand side when the blind is fully open.
Split bunch – equal numbers of louvres bunch to each side when the blind is fully open.
Centre bunch – all louvres bunch in the centre when the blind is fully open.
Curved blind – blind with the headrail continuously curved to a specific shape to fit a curved window or similar installation. Blinds operated by one set of controls.
Dual controls – individual controls to operate the traversing and rotation of the louvres.
Electrical operation – the use of one or two electric motors to operate the traversing and/or rotation of the louvres.
Free hanging blind – blinds with louvres which are not fixed at the bottom.
Mono control – use of one control to operate both the traversing and rotation of the louvres.
Pelmet – a piece of reinforced louvre fabric supported on a bar fixed to the headrail.
Pitched blind – free hanging blind with the top and/or bottom not horizontal.
Stepped blind – free hanging blind with a section of the louvres cut to a different length to avoid an obstruction such as a radiator.
Vertical Blinds: The Components
Headrail – anodised or painted aluminium extrusion.
Tilt rod – aluminium extrusion used to operate the louvre rotation gearing.
Fixing brackets – plastic, galvanised or painted mild steel.
End cap – moulded plastic. Fixed at each end of headrail. Used to support the tilt rod and blind controls.
Louvre carrier truck – moulded plastic. Incorporates the gearing to rotate the louvre hook.
Fixed gear truck – truck with a direct drive between the louvre hook and tilting device.
Self-aligning truck – Self-aligning trucks have limit stops which restrict louvre rotation to 185°.
Spacer link – stainless steel or plastic. Controls the spacing between the louvre hooks.
Tilt/rotation chain – metal or cord with plastic balls. Turns the tilt rod to control the louvre rotation.
Tilt gearbox – a geared drive to adjust the louvre angle.
Traversing cord – stretch resistant. Used to traverse the carrier trucks.
Cord weight – moulded plastic. Hooks on to traversing cord to prevent sagging.
Spring cord tensioner – mild steel. Alternative to cord weight.
Louvre insert/hanger – plastic. Fixed into top of louvre to connect louvre to the louvre hooks.
Louvre weight/ballast weight – metal or moulded plastic. Fixed to bottom of louvres to hold fabric under tension.
Stabilising chain – metal or cord with plastic balls. Fitted to bottom of louvres to prevent excessive movement in draughty conditions.
Where Can Vertical Blinds be Fitted?
Vertical blinds are stylish and practical, and this makes them ideal for a variety of different rooms in the home, including:
Lounges
Bedrooms
Kitchens
Bathrooms
Dining Areas
Conservatories
Our free, no obligation choose at home service will provide you with expert advice to ensure you receive the blinds that will perform exactly right for your home. We will work closely with you to design your blinds, meet your budget and taste requirements.
Whatever your requirements, we provide impartial advice to customers in Manchester, Stockport, Cheshire, Liverpool and surrounding areas – so why not call today?
Why choose us?
We’re a local, family-run business that is passionate about what we do. We love adding more layers of design to your rooms through beautiful blinds. Seeing it all come together leaves you happy, and your satisfaction makes us happy.
New vertical blinds are among the most cost-effective and affordable blinds in the Expression Blinds catalogue – give us a call to talk about a quote for your blinds! Since we make all our blinds specifically to your needs, we don’t have a one-price-fits-all quote, but we can promise affordable, stylish blinds that will last. Get in touch today!
Are Vertical Blinds Outdated?
Vertical blinds may have been super popular in the 80’s, but they never went out of style – and just like venetian blinds, updates to their materials and design over the years have kept these classic blinds in the public eye and ensured that vertical blinds are just as popular today as they ever were.
Adaptable, affordable, private, and with the ability to adjust to match the exact amount of light and visibility you want, vertical blinds are still a mainstay in many homes and businesses. Ask our expert fitters about materials, designs and patterns, and they’ll help you choose a timeless and classic design for your vertical blinds that will still be looking great years from now.
How Long Do Vertical Blinds Last?
How long a set of vertical blinds will last depends on how well-made they are, and what materials are used to make them. You can expect a cheap set of vertical blinds to last around five years, but more well-made sets can last for twenty years or longer! At Expression Blinds, we always make our vertical blinds to the highest standards of manufacturing and with the highest-quality materials, so you can rest assured your vertical blinds will last a long time and never let you down.
Can You See Through Vertical Blinds?
Some vertical blinds, which are designed to allow light to filter through them during the day, can work the opposite way at night, letting light from your home filter out into the night. You can prevent this with completely opaque blinds, or use a pair of curtains at night if you are concerned about your privacy.
Can You Wash Vertical Blinds?
Some vertical blinds have vertical strips which can be taken down from their mountings and machine washed – to do so, you can roll the blinds strip up into a coil and place it inside a pillowcase or other protective bag, before washing it on a gentle cycle with a few towels or bedlinens. Always make sure to talk to the manufacturer about whether you can do this with your blinds – some vertical blinds will not be able to be washed this way.
Luckily, you can also hand-wash individual blinds strips by taking them down and spot-cleaning them with a sponge or cloth. This is especially effective if you’ve chosen a waterproof or non-absorbent blinds material, which should wipe clean easily. As always, give us a ring to talk about how best to clean your Expression Blinds – we made them, and we’ll be happy to help you maintain them!
What Other Blinds Types Are Available?
If Vertical Blinds aren’t quite the right fit for you, you can check out our other blinds types to find something perfect for you – or talk to our fitters to get their expert opinion!
Do you need some advice on choosing the right blinds?
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