How to choose vertical blinds for plastic windows: photos and ideas

Gone are the days when blinds were considered exclusively an office window accessory. Today, many people use different types of blinds to darken their apartment from the scorching rays of the sun, get rid of excess dust and create a cozy atmosphere. The range of blinds is huge and varied; vertical blinds for plastic windows are in great demand; photos of fashionable new products and classic designs are presented in the article.

Why are vertical blinds attractive?

Comfortable and practical, vertical blinds have become popular for good reason:

• can be installed in different openings, including irregularly shaped ones;
• are not subject to contamination due to antistatic impregnations;
• easy to clean with a vacuum cleaner, can be wiped with a slightly damp cloth;
• do not fade in the sun;
• protect from bright sunlight;
• With the help of vertical blinds, you can zone the space, using them as mobile partitions separating work areas, or covering niches or openings with them.

Vertical blinds can be easily selected so that they are in harmony with the rest of the interior in color or texture. These blinds are perfectly combined with tulle, organza or thick curtains, creating a single elegant composition that decorates the window.

Device principle

The design of fabric blinds for plastic windows is presented in the form of a canvas, which is suspended on a cornice and moves apart in different directions. The traditional model consists of the following elements:

• Systems of special cords with which you can control the canvas.
• High quality rotary runners with equal distance.
• Cornice with clamps and main pin.

Instead of a single piece of fabric, vertical blinds consist of high-quality reflective slats, which are presented in thin strips. They are connected to each other by a chain along the very bottom edge. Experts also provided for the presence of special weights that help level the fabric, as well as maintain the correct geometry of the curtains during operation.

Each strip is sewn onto the runner separately, due to which a failed part can always be replaced with a new one. Manufacturers have provided for the fact that the product can move not only to the sides, but also around its axis by 180°. For vertical models, you need to use a high-quality groover, presented in the form of a plastic convex profile with absolutely transparent side guides.

Experts recommend inserting a fabric strip over the bar and fastening it with special plastic clips. Due to this, the product merges and represents a single whole. A slightly different picture is observed with multi-textured products, where the groover is always understood as a transparent base into which the lamella is inserted.

Vertical blinds can be multi-layered. Multi-textured options include up to four layers.

Read more about the design of vertical blinds

Vertical blinds are an easy-to-use and reliable design consisting of the following elements:

• cornice;
• control mechanism;
• slats.

The cornice is a load-bearing base; hooks attached to the slats are fixed on it. Cornices are made from various materials, which is reflected in the cost of the product:

1. Wooden. Long service life is guaranteed. They are made from valuable wood species with a noble natural texture. They look very original and beautiful, often decorated with carvings. The only drawback is the high cost.
2. Stainless steel. They showed excellent performance during long-term use. They do not rust because the coating is treated with a special anti-corrosion varnish. Durable, reliable.
3. Aluminum. They are also coated with a protective varnish layer to prevent rust. Thanks to their plasticity, aluminum curtain rods are indispensable for the manufacture of blinds of complex shapes in non-standard openings. Reasonable price.
4. Plastic. Not demanding in care, easy to use every day, a variety of colors, affordable price.

Nuance! To determine the length of the cornice, experts correlate the area of ​​the blinds with their weight, which depends on the material of the slats. The heavier the material, the longer the cornice will be required: vertical fabric blinds 4 m high will require a cornice of at least 3.5 m, while for plastic blinds 3 m will be sufficient.

The control mechanism for vertical blinds allows you to rotate the slats by 1800, open or close the blinds, moving the slats along the guides along the eaves using levers and ropes. The mechanism can be:

1. Manual. It operates due to human efforts. A practical, inexpensive control method, however, if the windows are difficult to get to or there are a lot of them, such a mechanism is inconvenient.
2. Electromechanical. It operates due to a miniature motor, which is turned on from a control panel or remotely in the smart home system. Often equipped with various sensors (light level, position control, reception of infrared waves, etc.). Due to the mechanism, the cornice of such blinds is much heavier, in addition, their price increases significantly.

The mechanism allows you to open the blinds so that it is as convenient as possible. Manufacturers usually offer to choose one of the following options:

• the slats are split into two equal parts and moved from the center to the edges;
• from the edges to the center;
• all lamellas move towards the control mechanism to one side;
• to the side opposite to the control mechanism.

Important! They either purchase ready-made blinds, based on the size of a window or other opening, or order vertical blinds individually from a photo from the manufacturer, choosing the opening method and control mechanism.

Lamellas are specially treated light-protective strips. They are made from various materials, from thin transparent to dense, light-proof. Vary in width:

• American type - 89 mm;
• European type - 127 mm.

Each slat is attached to the cornice independently with a plastic slider, which allows you to replace a damaged slat without completely changing the blinds. The following are attached to the slats from below:

• plastic weights for balance;
• connecting chain so that the planks do not diverge in different directions.

Probably the most difficult thing for a buyer is to choose the material from which vertical blinds are made, because each material has its own advantages.

Color options

The chosen color will help the blinds blend harmoniously into the decor and become a real decoration of the interior.

Greens

They tone, soothe and attract attention without irritating. Green color is considered a perfect neutral background, the most familiar to the human eye.

The photo shows the interior of the living room and the vertical slats in green.

Gray

To prevent the room from looking dull and faceless, this color should be used wisely. Gray planks in combination with light interior decor will reflect prosperity, restraint and good taste.

Black

Black blinds attract with mystery. With their presence in the interior they challenge fadedness and routine.

White

They significantly refresh the room, making it spacious. This seemingly simple color of the absolute contains secret power and enormous potential.

The photo shows white vertical slats on the windows in the living room.

Beige

Planks of such a universal color provide additional lighting to the room and create comfort and homeliness.

Brown

They make the room very fashionable and welcoming. This color is universal and goes well with both dark and light tones.

Reds

They bring warmth, dynamism and charisma to the room. When properly decorated, red vertical slats will add solemnity, lift your spirits and add richness and luxury to the interior.

The photo shows short red vertical blinds on a kitchen window.

Orange

Orange is active, but not aggressive. Vertical blinds in this color affect the interior with softness and warmth, due to which it acquires new colors, becomes brighter and fuller.

Turquoise

They have freshness and attractive charm. This color is reflected in the sea waves and heavenly radiance, so any room acquires a touch of discreet luxury and comfort.

Plastic

Vertical plastic blinds are made from polyvinyl chloride, PVC, so they have a number of important qualities:

• are not saturated with odors, which allows them to be used in the kitchen;
• are not exposed to water, so they are used in swimming pools and saunas;
• tolerate temperature changes well;
• They scatter light perfectly and are available in transparent, translucent or opaque.

Plastic vertical blinds can not only be of different colors, but also vary in texture; the surface of the products can be smooth, corrugated or embossed.

Plastic vertical curtains make a slight noise during use, but their affordable price and wide range of applications have made this type of blinds popular and in demand.

Features of care

Blinds are extremely easy to maintain. To maintain cleanliness, it is recommended to wipe the fabric slats once a month with a slightly damp cloth. Regular dry cleaning can be done using a brush or vacuum cleaner. To remove stubborn stains, it is permissible to wash individual fabrics in a gentle cycle. But during the cleaning process it is unacceptable to use aggressive chemicals and bleaches, because... As a result, the color of the fabric may change.

Plastic blinds are not afraid of dirt or dust. They are easy to keep clean. Most often, washing the slats with a damp sponge is sufficient. Paper blinds, on the contrary, do not tolerate moisture. If necessary, it is better to simply change them.

Metal

Vertical aluminum blinds are indispensable in rooms decorated in fashionable loft, hi-tech or modern styles. They perfectly protect balconies in apartments and huge windows of shopping centers and shops from the sun. The slats are coated with special powder paints that are resistant to heat and ultraviolet radiation.

On a note! The only drawback of aluminum blinds is that they clink a little when operated.

But light metal blinds require virtually no maintenance; you only need to occasionally wipe off the dust with a special brush.

Fabric

This is the most popular type of vertical blinds; they are made from different materials with excellent performance properties:

1. Jacquard is a dense fabric woven from at least 24 threads. Jacquard lamellas hold their shape perfectly and provide excellent protection from light. Threads of different thicknesses and colors can be woven into the fabric, which creates a unique relief pattern. Withstands gentle hand washing.
2. Polyester is an artificial fabric. Impregnated with additives with dust-repellent and waterproof properties. Polyester blinds do not fade in the brightest sun and have high fireproof properties. They can be machine washed. Depending on the quality, fabrics are completely opaque, translucent and transparent.
3. Natural fibers - cotton, linen. More often they are used as additives to jacquard or polyester, since natural threads do not hold the shape of heavy lamellas well.
4. Fiberglass is a high-quality material that is stain-resistant. They withstand high temperatures well, exposure to sunlight does not lead to fading of the surface. Such products do not require washing; they are only vacuumed and treated with a dry brush.

A wide range of colors allows you to choose vertical blinds for a specific interior, harmoniously combining with the color of wall coverings, furniture or curtains. Product options:

• monochrome;
• slats of different shades and colors;
• a combination of different textures and colors.

Special types of textured blinds add originality to the design of the room:

• rope - thin muslin threads or ribbons connected into lamellas;
• wave-decor - the lamellas are given a wavy shape, it looks beautiful and unusual;
• vertical blinds with a pattern - an image is applied to the fabric using photo printing.

Fabric vertical blinds are selected individually in each case, although you can also purchase ready-made products in standard sizes. Fabric products perfectly complement arched openings, beautiful lambrequins are created from them, and they are used instead of traditional curtains.

Materials used

Various types of fabric are used to produce such products. But the coordinated work of the structure cannot do without plastic parts, balls and threads for lifting. If we consider the lamellas themselves, the following types of fabric can be used for their manufacture:

• Polyester.
• Viscose.
• Fiberglass.
• Linen.
• Jacquard.
• Cotton.

Since the finished fabric must hold its shape well, it is most often sewn from synthetic materials with the addition of natural fibers. If a person prefers only natural raw materials, then it is better for him to choose blinds made of linen and cotton. But they hold their shape a little less well and may also shrink a little after dry cleaning and washing. That is why when purchasing you need to add 9 centimeters to the total length for shrinkage.

Jacquard products look very stylish and elegant. Externally, this fabric is very similar to a tapestry. The material can be either natural or synthetic. Manufacturers use a special weave that includes at least 14 differently intertwined threads. The final product is not only beautiful, but also durable. The most expensive models are those made of fiberglass. They serve for more than 40 years, are not subject to fire and are moisture resistant. But due to the high price, not everyone can buy them.

When choosing fabric for blinds, you must remember that dense materials hold their shape best and also protect well from sunlight. Their price is higher than standard models, but this pays off with a long service life.

Multi-textured

The design development looks interesting - multi-textured vertical blinds, which not only regulate the flow of sunlight into the room, but also give the interior individuality and originality. In each case, this is a unique design work that will decorate your home or office.

The lamella is a combined product made simultaneously from different materials - fabric and plastic, bamboo and aluminum. The difference in textures and colors of the lamellas creates unusual and unique patterns on the panel.

Multi-texture blinds successfully imitate expensive curtains or their elements, transparent tulle, as well as a composition of several curtains of different heights, colors and textures. The slats of multi-textured blinds can be made in the form of patterns.

The latest innovation created in Holland is slats made from python or crocodile skin. Genuine leather is carefully processed, and each strip has its own embossing and shade. A more economical option is to use a material that imitates the look of genuine leather.

Due to the complexity of execution, such products are attached to both one and several cornices.

Design and drawings

They will give the blinds a peculiar brightness and change the overall picture and perception.

Curly

Quite an unusual and interesting design option. Wavy plain or multi-colored strips, similar to ribbons, create a unique effect and look amazing.

Flowers

They will change and refresh the appearance of the room. A floral print creates a bright spring interior and adds special warmth and comfort to it.

Patterns and monograms

They add expressiveness and originality to blinds. Patterned planks will be an interesting accent and will bring liveliness and brightness to the room.

Multicolored

Colorful two-tone or multi-colored alternations on the blinds will become the main decoration and center of attention.

The photo shows a kitchen with vertical multi-colored slats.

Cityscapes

Images and photos of parks, ancient streets and gardens create a special atmosphere, relax and calm.

Nature

Blinds with photos with elements of nature provide the opportunity to admire amazing landscapes every day and be inspired by their harmony, peace and tranquility.

Wicker tree

Such attractive material will give the room warmth, comfort and coziness, no matter what style the room is made in. They will perfectly emphasize the advantages of both modern and more austere classic interiors.

Photo printing

Vertical blinds with photo printing look original and unique. A landscape, portrait, reproduction, funny picture or advertisement can be placed on one side of the blinds or on both. Photoblinds are great for zoning a spacious room. Any photograph is applied to the slats using thermal printing using computer technology, and the high-quality image will not be erased from periodic wet cleaning and will not fade in the sun.

Printing a design on vertical products is carried out in 2 stages:

• the picture is printed on special paper;
• The image on the lamellas is fixed with high temperature and pressure.

How to shorten a cornice

Trimming the excess part of the cornice yourself is risky: you can damage the elements that drive the blinds.

But if you still need to shorten the cornice, you need to proceed as follows:

1. Using pliers, remove the star-shaped cap from the end of the cornice. No manipulations can be made with the opposite end, in which the blinds mechanism is located.
2. After removing the plug, carefully disassemble the cornice box, separate the coil, and remove excess runners.
3. Mark the cutting line, then use a hacksaw to shorten the structure into 2 parts.
4. File the cut edges and check that there are no foreign elements left inside the rails.
5. Replace the spool and adjust the thread tension inside the guide.
6. Complete the assembly by installing the plug in its original place. If the ring is severely deformed during removal, repair it using pliers. If it is impossible to repair, you should purchase a new plug from the store to replace the damaged part.

Sometimes it is necessary to shorten the cornice.

Fixation

Vertical blinds are attached in different ways depending on the size of the opening and the weight of the structure:

• on the window frame;
• door frame;
• on the wall;
• on the ceiling.

Selecting vertical blinds for windows is a task that can be solved quite simply, the main thing is knowledge of certain rules and approaches.

Installation Rules

Before ordering the blinds you like, you need to take all the necessary measurements. Experts recommend first choosing the most suitable mounting method. In this case, manufacturers have provided three most common options:

1. Installation in the window opening. Fabric blinds must be installed on vertical planes. With this method of fastening, everything that is located on the window sill itself will be clearly visible from the street.
2. To the ceiling. In this case, strong brackets must be used. All holes are pre-drilled in the ceiling. Although many masters like this method, they use it in practice extremely rarely and in special cases.
3. Fixation to the wall. This installation method is always considered the most popular on the vertical blinds market. The structure hangs in front of the window with a slight indentation.

Only when the most suitable fastening method has been chosen can you begin the measurements themselves, since this point directly depends on the fixation method. If we are talking about the first case, then you need to subtract one centimeter from the actual height of the window opening, and 2 cm from the width. Thanks to this, the master will receive an indicator of the height of the finished blinds.

In the second case, all measurements are carried out according to the following scheme: the height of the product is calculated from the ceiling itself to the required point (you can hide the window sill, or leave it open). But the master determines the width independently.

In the latter case, 10 cm is added to the height of the window opening and at least 17 cm to the width. If the master does not have the skills to install blinds on his own, then it is better to purchase ready-made kits, the installation of which will take a maximum of 20 minutes.