Vertical blinds made to measure
Vertical blinds are made to the size of the opening. The louvres rotate to control how much light comes in, and draw aside completely when you want the full view.
Two movements, two purposes
A vertical blind works in two ways, and that is its strength. Rotating the louvres on their axis changes the amount of light — from fully open to almost closed — without moving the blind. Drawing gathers all the louvres into a stack on one side and leaves the opening clear.
In an office the first is used most: no glare on the screen, but daylight still comes in. At home the second gets used as well, whenever the terrace door is opened.
Louvre width
89 mm louvres give a finer division and sit better on smaller openings and in living spaces. 127 mm louvres are wider, rotate faster and are the usual choice on large office and display glazing.
On a wide opening, narrower louvres mean more of them, more weight on the track and more places that can snag — which is why wider ones are used there.
Where they are used most
- Offices — glare control on screens without darkening the room.
- Surgeries and waiting rooms — privacy from the street with daylight retained.
- Shops and display windows — large glazed areas other shading cannot span.
- Homes — living rooms with large terrace doors, as an alternative to curtains.
Care
Louvres come off one at a time, so a dirty or damaged one is replaced without touching the rest of the blind. Wash them by hand in lukewarm water and hang them to dry so they do not crease.
The bottom weights and the chain linking the louvres are also replaced separately — that is the part that most often suffers, and the cheapest to renew.
Specification
| Louvre width | 89 mm or 127 mm |
|---|---|
| Colours | Pastel and solid |
| Operation | Chain to rotate, cord to draw |
| Fixing | Wall or ceiling |
| Stacking | Left, right or both sides |
| Typical use | Home, office, surgery, shop |
| Replacement | Louvre by louvre |
Frequently asked questions
Do vertical blinds black out a room completely?
Not completely. Even with the louvres closed, some light comes through the overlaps. For full blackout a roller shutter is used, and a vertical blind is then combined with it if you also want daytime light control.
Can they be machine washed?
Not recommended. Louvres are washed by hand in lukewarm water with a mild detergent and hung on their hooks to dry so they keep their shape. A machine creases them and they lose it.
How much space do they take when drawn?
Drawn louvres form a stack about ten centimetres wide for every metre and a half of blind, depending on louvre width. If the opening must be completely clear, the blind is made wider than the opening so the stack sits on the wall beside it.
Related services
Measure before you decide.
Measuring is free, and the quote comes back with every item priced separately.