Vertical blinds consist of two main parts, a head rail which holds hooks that travel along and rotate, attached to these hooks are ‘louvres’ which is basically the material part of the blind which covers your window.

The hooks are controlled using cords on the end of the blinds. Using the cord you can rotate the hooks to control the amount of light entering the room, or when you don’t want to use the blind you can bunch them on the end of the headrail to leave open access to the window.

The louvres usually come in two sizes 87mm and 127mm, when in use they overlap slightly to make sure they is no gaps. Normally the louvres are made from polyester, although other materials are available for special applications. For example, PVC louvres can be great for kitchens because they can be wiped clean easily.

Aluminium is usually the material of choice for the headrails, mainly because it is strong and reliable unlike the plastic alternative. The components inside the headrail are usually manufactured from moulded plastic.

Vertical blinds can often be found in large office buildings and conservatories. This is because unlike some other blind types verticals can be manufactured in large widths such as 4 or 5 metres as there is not a substantial weight being put on the headrail.

Traditionally vertical blinds usually had white or pale coloured louvres, which is why they got their reputation as being drap and boring. Fortunately nowadays they are available in a multitude of different colours and effects. Repeating patterns are also pretty popular for example on louvre white, then the next one black and so on.

Wooden louvres are favourable to fabric as they are much more durable and less likely to blow around in the wind. Wood also has that warming effect that just can not be achieved with fabric.

One of the great things about vertical blinds is that nearly all the parts are replacable. If one of your hooks breaks you can replace it easily without dismantling the headrail, if a louvre becomes damaged you can simply replace it with another, or if you want to change the look of your room you can easily replace all the louvres to create what looks like a brand new blind.

Vertical blinds can also be found in wood, wood-effect and aluminium louvers! Which makes them the perfect blinds for most environments. I’m pretty confident when I say you will be able to find a vertical blind to compliment your décor.

Blackout blinds are exactly the same as regular blinds except the fabrics used are much better at blocking out light, similar to the effect of thick curtains. Ironically regular blackout blinds suffer the same fate as curtains, they let the light in round the sides and bottom. Although the more heavy duty blackout blinds are available in 100% complete light blackout.

A common misconception is that blackout blinds are made by using dark fabrics, maybe that was true ten years ago, but nowadays fabric manufactures have the ability to create fabrics in any colour or pattern with the blackout effect.

Roller blinds with a blackout fabric are the most common type of blackout blinds, although there are quite a few others available too. Blackout blinds can be split into two categories, blinds with blackout fabrics and complete blackout blind systems.

Blinds with Blackout Fabrics

Although with a roller blind and a good blackout fabric you can get a good percentage of light exclusion, you will never be able to get 100% as there is nothing restricting the light coming around the sides and bottom of the blind.

• Roller Blinds

As I said before, blackout roller blinds are the most popular type, they are relatively cheap, there is a good range of fabrics, and they do the job. Unless you are in an area which requires 100% blackout then roller blinds should satisfy your needs.

• Roman Blinds

Blackout roman blinds are becoming an increasingly popular option in terms of blackout blinds. Roman blinds are well known for their contemporary look which compliments most décor. Most suppliers now offer blackout lining and stitching on all there roman blinds which is a great addition to an already fantastic product.

• Vertical Blinds

I’ve left these to last for a reason, they’re crap. If you are seriously looking for a blackout blind just ignore verticals completely. Yes, you can get blackout fabrics for use in vertical blinds, or blackout louvres to be more technically correct. But vertical blinds were not made to block out light, louvres blow around with even the slightest breeze rendering them completely useless in most applications.

Complete Blackout Blind Systems

Unlike blinds with blackout fabrics, complete blackout blind systems are designed specifically with light exclusion in mind. These are usually a much more heavy duty product, made specifically for areas such as theatres or home cinemas where 100% blackout is required.

• Cassette Blinds

Cassette blinds are similar to blackout blinds except a lot more heavy duty, they are often used large contract projects, although light weight versions are also available for domestic use. Cassette blinds feature side channels made out of aluminium which allow up to 100% light exclusion depending on the model.

Roundup

If you are looking for a functional blind that blocks out enough light for you to lay in bed all day then a roller or roman with a blackout fabric will do fine, however if you are looking to start your own secret laboratory at home you may need to go the extra distance and purchase cassette blinds.