Desirable properties of curtains Curtains should: • drape well and hang with attractive pleats • be pre-shrunk, so that when washed they will remain the same length • be colourfast, so colours do not run in the wash • complement the existing decor and style of the room • be flame-resistant • insulate the room.
Blinds Blinds are a decorative window-dressings that can be used in addition to curtains or on their own.
Types of blinds Roller
• Made from stiffened fabric, e.g. linen, fixed onto a roller that can be pulled down to cover the window
• Available in a wide variety of colours and patterns
Vinyl-coated means that the fabric is treated with a layer of PVC which makes it waterproof and more hard-wearing.
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• Vinyl-coated roller blinds are best suited to areas of high moisture. e.g. bathrooms
Roman
• Made from fabric, e.g. cotton, with wooden slats at the back of the blind
• Designed to fold neatly at the top of the window when pulled up • Available in a wide variety of colours and patterns
Venetian
• Made with overlapping horizontal wooden or plastic slats • May be opened or closed by pulling a cord. When opened, they allow light through but still keep the room private. • Tend to gather dust between the slats
Did you know
Every blind should be fitted with a child-safety device that keeps the cord secured to the wall, as a child can die within 50 seconds of becoming entangled in a cord.
