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Vinyl Window Blind Glossary

What are window blinds?: A window blind is a covering for a window, usually attached to the interior side of a window. It simply refers to some device to hide from sight (thus "blinding" the viewer) or to reduce sunlight. There are many types of blinds, but we will keep it more specifically to horizontal type window blinds which include vinyl blinds and faux wood blinds.
Slat blinds, which consist of many horizontal, flat slats, usually of metal or vinyl, connected with string in a way that they can be rotated to allow light to pass between the slats, rotated up to about 170 degrees to hide the light, or pulled up so that the entire window is clear. (So special version pulling up diagonally or even down — mostly motorized or with hand winder). The rotation of the blinds is achieved by rotating a connector attached to the strings or by pulling a cord; the raising and lowering of the blinds is achieved by pulling a different string. However, there also exists version with a winding mechanisms that combine both functions into one winding rod and can mostly also be used for motorization. Such blinds include:
Venetian blinds, basic slatted blind made of metal or plastic; wooden slats are sometimes used but these are usually referred to as wood blinds or bamboo blinds. Venetian blinds were introduced around 1770, possibly in Venice, Italy. Slat width can be between 50-120 mm, however most common are 50 mm)
Mini blinds, Venetian blinds with very narrow slats (usually 19 or 24 mm wide).
Brief History of Blinds: It is interesting to note that the ancient Egyptians first used blinds in an effort to control the heat. Etchings on the walls of some Egyptian tombs show horizontal blinds constructed of reeds. The Egyptian slaves were depicted pouring water over these vertical reed blinds in an effort to cool the rooms of the Egyptians.
cloth tapes: An option available to some horizontal blinds, cloth tapes can be used in place of standard string ladders. These increase privacy and allow less light through when closed.
cord: A string that you pull on to control the tilt.
cord cleat: A cord cleat is a small bracket which affixes to the wall near the headrail and allows the cord to be hung up on it, preventing children and pets from becoming entangled in dangling cord.
extension brackets: Extension Brackets are metal pieces that are used in installing blinds that need to be extended out over the sill (usually over 1/2"). These are only needed for outside mounts.
headrail: The hardware on the very top of the blind where the tracks are located. To a great extent, the headrail's quality determines the blind's durability.
height: Measure the height (top to bottom) inside the window opening at the left, center and right. Then take the longest measurement.
hold downs: Brackets used to hold the bottom rail of a blind or shade in place in its fully lowered position. Primarily used for doors to keep the blind or shade from swinging.
inside mount: An inside mount fits within the window frame. To measure on inside mounts do not add any width to reduce the side light gaps. The inside mount deductions are taken for operating clearance. Without these deductions your blind/shade may not fit or operate correctly. For more information, go to our Measuring Guide
ladder: A blinds ladder is the braided cord that has an appearance of a ladder on which the slats of the blind sit or in some cases through which the slat is inserted. With some types of blinds an optional decorative cloth tape can be substituted, typically with an upcharge.
no holes: This feature prevents any light from sneaking in through the slats as the cord is not routed through them, but over them. This prevents light spots and allows for total privacy.
one on one headrail: This is the default option for all blinds and shades, which means that the blind or shade is the same width as the headrail. Size constraints may force some products to be split as 2 or 3 on one headrail.
outside mount: An outside mount overlaps the window opening. For more information, go to our Measuring Guide
routed: This refers to the holes that are in the slats of a blind through which the lift cord is routed through the slats.
routless: This feature reduces light leakage by eliminating the traditional rout hole through the center of the slat and replaces it with a notch on the back side of each slat through which the cording controlling the tilting and lifting of the blind runs. This method also is featured as total privacy, because when the blind is completely shut it is not possible for someone to peer through since it has no rout holes.
slats: This refers to the strips of vinyl, wood, faux wood, aluminum, etc, that make up the horizontal part of the window blind.
tilt: The control, usually a cord or a wand, that tilts the slats of a blind open and closed.
two or more blinds on one headrail: Provides the flexibility of raising one blind while keeping the other lowered on extra wide windows, such as patio doors. This option is usually only available up to a total maximum width (the total length of the headrail), often around 96".
valance: This covers the headrail and mounting brackets to give the blind a finished look and generally matches the color of the blind. Valances can be made of fabric, wood, aluminum, or vinyl. Cornices are also commonly used in place of a simple valance to give the blind a more decorative look and may be purchased separately. A cornice is finished wood molding or upholstered wood adornment that you mount on the wall around the top of the blind. Cornices can be used to add architectural detailing to your room and are available in a variety of painted and stained finishes as well as custom upholstered designs.
wand: A long plastic cylinder that one twists to rotate the blinds slats open or shut.
width: The horizontal measurement of your blind, taken to the nearest 1/8 of an inch, which is the standard minimum width increment accepted by the window covering industry.