Blinds Parts Can Be Understood

The ancient Egyptians, who originally invented blinds, incorporated the basic function of tilting through the use of pulleys. Because of the then intricate design of the blind, which increased the price of the product, blinds were not widely used. If this story is to be believed, then this article is a must read. It is believed that blinds were invented at a later time as a way to control the sunlight, thus believed to be superior to curtains due to their increased functionality. For this reason, ancient Pharaohs can not be credited with the invention of blinds.

Modern day blinds are a very unique product because of the important everyday function they perform in the home – the blockage of light and the procurement of personal privacy. Additionally the security factor can not be ignored in these modern times. In order for blinds to provide the aforementioned functions, versatility in tilting of the slats and its ability to be raised to a given point are indispensable. If the only function of a blind were to just block a window, less expensive ways can be found, i.e. cover the opening with newspaper, use of cloth sheets or any other unaesthetic material which today is completely unacceptable.

Blinds come in two varieties. These are horizontal and vertical. The two kinds are defined by the relative orientation of the slat material that hangs from the control system. In America, that is the definition of blinds. In other English speaking countries, the other window treatments that are adjustable are also called blinds, but in the USA most others are properly called shades.

Blinds typically have two methods of adjustment. These are tilt, or rotate, and lift, or traverse. The reason for two words for each of these actions is to distinguish between the actions that cause motion in a horizontal blind or a vertical blind. However, interestingly enough, typical blinds have the same mechanisms to adjust. There is little difference in them.

In the case of horizontal blinds, metal miniblinds available in horizontal slats in different sizes, wood or fauxwood slats also available in different sizes, the operating components are essentially the same, only the quality and design of said components will increase the reliability and the ease of operation of the blinds.

The same element applies to most vertical blinds. There are a few systems that work a little differently, but in the end, a vertical blind is a vertical blind.

To start with the traverse of a vertical blind, or a lift of a wood blind, one must visualize the blinds. The cords for this action exit one side of the blind. They are pulled in a downward motion to cause the lift or traverse. In the case of a vertical blind, pulling the other direction causes the opposite direction. In the case of a horizontal blind, this action is prevented by a cord lock, but disengaging the cord lock causes this effect to occur. This works by a pulley action. A cord end is attached to one end of the blind, and the other end is what you pull. When you pull, the other end of the cord drives everything else in the control system in that direction.

What about tilting and rotating? Those effects are caused by adjusting a different cord, or chain. This movement causes a geared actuator inside the blind to rotate a metal rod. In a horizontal blind, the actuator is the tilter, either wand or cord style, and the rod that is moved is called a tiltrod. The rod has collectors for the cords, which move one side of the ladder up. The movement in the other direction does the same thing in reverse. In the case of a vertical blind, the action is the movement of a pinion gear moved by a chain control. The pinion gear moves a gear in the carriers that support the hanging vertical fabric. That part then moves to adjust the orientation of the slat material.

Although the basic functions of blinds remain basically the same, in an effort to differentiate their products, certain fabricators offer “enhancements” to their specific products such as monocommand controls, plastic or metal chains, plastic or metal weights, valance and bottom rail designs, etc. However, these enhancements usually increase production and selling costs and have little bearing on the basic operation of either the horizontal blind or vertical blind.

In summary, the basic functions of horizontal blinds and vertical blinds remain the same regardless of the systems used in the fabrication process. Notwithstanding the type of blind desired by the consumer, it is very important to purchase all blinds from a reputable retailer which will stand behind their product long after the sale takes place. In addition to local retailers, the Internet has provided the consumer the ability to choose a quality product from reputable on-line retailers without leaving the comfort of the home and usually at a much lower cost, thus allowing the savings to be applied to other products that may compliment the decorating ideas of the end user.