Replacement windows can make a world of difference in the look of your San Diego home, but new window blinds can really put it over the top! The options for window blinds are many, which means there is something out there for any style of home (and almost any budget) that will get you the look you want.
In addition to adding to your home’s design, new blinds can also help your home become even more energy efficient. Closing them when a window is in direct sunlight on a hot day can help keep your home cool, and opening them when the weather is nice can allow in a breeze that will keep your home at a pleasant temperature.
Styles of Blinds
Mini Blinds: Mini blinds generally refer to blinds with horizontal slats that are 1” or thinner. Mini blinds have come a long way from the ones you probably grew up with. You can now get them in an array of colors, and in durable aluminum that will help your blinds look great for many years to come. Mini blinds are great for shallow windows and are generally the most affordable type of blinds available, especially if you don’t need custom sizes.
Venetian Blinds: Venetian blinds offer a more classic look, with larger (usually 2”) slats. Venetian blinds are typically made of vinyl or wood, although like mini blinds, they can also be made of aluminum. If you like the look of wood blinds, but only have the budget for vinyl, you can get faux wood blinds that are made to resemble wood blinds.
Most Venetian blinds are raised and lowered using a lift cord, though you can also get cordless blinds that allow you to raise and lower them by hand, or motorized blinds that are operated with a remote. Venetian blinds are available through many sources, such as home improvement stores, local window covering companies, or they can be ordered online from sources like blinds.com or blindster.com.
Measuring for Blinds
If you choose to buy your blinds online or from a home improvement store, make sure you measure carefully to get the best fit. For inside mount blinds, measure the width of your window’s opening at the top, center, and bottom of the window with a steel tape measure. Record the narrowest measurement to the nearest 1/8”. Then measure the height of the window at the left, right, and center and record the tallest height. Round down to the nearest 1/8” for width, and round up to the nearest 1/8” for height. When you go to order your windows, make sure you list the width measurement first, and then the height measurement.
Outside mount blinds are great for making a window look larger, covering an unsightly window, or if your windows aren’t deep-set enough to accommodate inside mount blinds. To measure for outside mount blinds, first decide where you want them mounted (typically 1 ½” to 3” above the top of the window), and then measure from that spot to the location below the window where you want your blinds to stop (usually 2” to 4” below the bottom of the window). Next, measure the width of your window, adding between 2” to 4” on each side. Just like inside mount blinds, make sure you list the width measurement first and then the height measurement when you go to order your blinds.
