Window blinds have become a popular alternative to regular curtains, however there are different types of blinds available on the market so it is important to understand how each one works so that you know which one to purchase.
In general, most window blinds work in the same way in that the window covering is moved and manipulated by oulling on a cord or by moving the covering itself. Where a lift cord is used, strings that connect to the bottom of the window are pulled. The covering of the window then moves up when the cord is pulled and lowered when it is released. As the blind moves it either rolls up or folds in itself. In the case of venetian blinds, it must be aligned before it can be lifted or there is a risk of them being damaged. In addition to this, the blind must come fitted with some kind of mechanism so that the cord will stay in place once the blind has been lifted into the desired position. In some casesm the cord can be wrapped around a hook which has been fixed nearby to the wall, or there are more elaborate mechanical solutions to this problem.
Venetian blinds consist of several individual blinds, referred to as slats. These slats are placed in position parallel to each other so that when the window blind is fully lowered the slats are the same distance apart. Light from outside is blocked by rotating the slats parallel to the window. In order to turn the slats there is a rod which hangs next to the blind which can be rotated. In most venetian blinds 3 sets of strings run through each slat. The middle string will raise and lower each slat whereas the outer two strings form a ladder shape with each slat becoming a rung on that ladder. In order to let light in through the blind, the slats must be rotated so that they are positioned perpendicular to the window. If the window then needs to be moved, the slats can easily collapse on top of each other.
In order to keep the blind in position at any chosen level, there is a mechanism in place whereby a cog sits inside into which the lift cord runs. In the instance where the cord is pulled towards the cog (usually in the right direction) the teeth of the cog will catch on the cord. When the cord is released again, the blind falls due to the effect of gravity and the cord will retract. The cord then gets caught in the cog and stops the blind from moving any further.
The other common form of window blind is the rolling blind. These types of blind consist of one sheet of material or thin fabric which come wrapped around a roll. The window is covered when the roll is completely unwound. The blind can then be retracted by a spring mechanism inside the roll which creates a tension when the blind is unrolled. It is held in place by a pin and ratched system so when this is released the blind simply snaps back into it s original position.
Author Resource:
Dave Matthews is writing on behalf of New Blinds (http://www.newblinds.co.uk), online retailers of window blinds and fly screens.
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