subject: Window Blinds - Environmental solution in Apartments [print this page] Window Blinds - Environmental solution in Apartments
They are especially useful for covering large, tall or wide windows or window walls. Because of their size, these special window blinds can become a focal point of the room decor. The most common color is white or cream, but additional colors are also available. They can be used to make a smaller window look a little bigger, and cut the height of tall ceilings.
Available in many densities, you can use window blinds for light control easily. If you are in an extremely sunny area, you may prefer to get fabric covered, or darker colored window blinds. If you reside in an area that is light challenged, choose lighter colored and lighter weight window blinds. Adjusting blinds to let light in or keep heat out will help save money on your electric and heating bills.
Many apartment buildings select vertical blinds because the apartments often have a patio that is reached by a screened window wall, and those are very large spaces to cover. They give a uniform look to apartment complexes. The vertical blinds are ideal because they open from the side, and you can enjoy the air through the screen without have the entire window space open. You could not access the window wall walk through with roller shades and curtains do not offer the light control that shades do. Some vertical blinds are also available with center openings.
In high-density areas like apartments, or busy cities with close-set buildings, the vertical blinds provide privacy also. You can adjust the slats to the side or open, or slightly to the other direction, as sunlight dictates. You can use the window blinds slats to bounce light against light colored walls, which then multiplies the light entering a room easily. With the blinds slightly open, you have an interesting vertical pattern of light streaks, which looks very modern.
Adjusting the slats from closed to open can control privacy. With slats partially open, it is still difficult to view into a room, but looking out is easier. Keeping slats closed will increase insulation, which is very helpful in winter to keep heat from escaping through drafty spots. In summer, the closed position keeps hot sun heat out of rooms. This level of adjustment is unique to window blinds, and this style is the way in which window blinds work.
Decorating with window blinds can be fun. For older homes that have tall windows, window blinds are a natural and help modernize the look. Using these window blinds in older homes can help with insulating those large window spaces also. In new homes, many decorators choose vertical blinds because new homes tend to have some very large windows in the front of the house. It is natural to continue the look throughout the home, with shorter verticals in smaller bedroom and kitchen windows. For media rooms, use the fabric vertical blinds for added sound control and for room darkening.
When deciding where to mount window blinds, remember that they will stack up on one or both sides of the window, so you may want to extend the mount to the side of the window rather than within the frame. Many window blinds come with a matching upper valance to hide the control system mechanisms. Slats slide easily from side to side, using a small wand.
