Vinyl Blinds

Vinyl blinds are a popular and economical choice for a basic window covering. Whether you're looking for roller blinds or traditional slatted mini blinds to go with your new windows or just want to update the look of a room, there are vinyl blinds out there to match your décor, your taste and your budget.

Roller Blinds

Vinyl blinds known as roller blinds or roller shades are a wonderful choice for bedrooms because they do a great job of blocking out as much light as possible.

These shades are great for places where you want a lot of privacy but want a simple, streamlined look. Roller blinds can be used alone on a window or behind regular curtains for a softer look.

Another good thing about roller blinds is that they can easily be raised and lowered to let in more or less light when you want it. They allow you to easily take advantage of the natural light available from the window without a lot of effort.

Traditional Vinyl Blinds

For most other purposes outside of the bedroom and bathroom, you'll probably want more traditional vinyl blinds, usually referred to as mini blinds or vertical blinds, depending on which way the slats run.

Both types of vinyl blinds are made of slats of vinyl that are threaded together, allowing for ease of lowering and raising (or moving from side to side, in the case of vertical blinds). Common slat sizes are half inch, one inch and two inch.

Mini blinds also have a wand attached to one side that allows you to change the tilt of the slats to allow more or less light in. Vinyl blinds can be purchased in a variety of colors to fit your décor, and they can be mounted either inside or outside the frame of the window.

Advantages

• Vinyl blinds are usually rather inexpensive.
• They come in a wide variety of colors and textures.
• They can easily be custom cut to fit your windows.
• They are very easy to clean.
• They are easy to adjust to let in more or less light.

Disadvantages

• They naturally let in more light than a roller shade.
• Some people don't like the look of vinyl blinds.
• Cords can be a safety hazard for young children if you like to leave the blinds pulled to the top of the window.

Buying Vinyl Blinds

Before you go shopping for vinyl blinds or vinyl roller shades, make sure that you have taken accurate measurements of all the windows or glass doors that need blinds.

There is nothing more frustrating than buying blinds, bringing them home and not having them fit, especially if you've spent money to have them custom cut. Measure the windows, then measure again to make sure you've got the right numbers.

Blinds can be purchased at many different stores, from discount retailers to home improvement stores to home décor shops. You are more likely to find only standard sizes when you shop in these places, but many home improvement stores will cut blinds down for you if you need a special size.

If your windows are truly unique sizes, or if you want more choice in terms of color and style, your best bet is to search for vinyl blinds on the Internet.

Online Retailers

• Blinds.com
• Just Blinds
• Home Decorators
• Blinds Express
• Today's Window Fashions

No matter where you shop for vinyl blinds online, make sure you check out the return policy before you place your order. You don't want to be stuck with blinds that are the wrong size for your windows or that turn out to be a different color than they looked on the computer screen.

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