The Ultimate Blinds Jargon Buster

Shopping online for blinds sounds like it should be as easy as clicking a button, but then all this jargon starts flying at you and you wonder how anyone managed to get blinds at all. Sound familiar?

Well, luckily for you we have the answer(s) you’ve been looking for. We’ve put our heads together here at the 247Blinds office, and come up with a whole host of terms that you might come across, plus some easy to digest explanations. That way when you come to shop for your home’s next addition, all you need to do is click a button and we’ll get to work.

What are cord cleats for blinds?

Cord cleats are for tying up any excess cord so that it doesn’t dangle. Not only are they great at keeping everything neat and tidy, they’re also an important safety device.

What are louvres?

Blinds with horizontal slats that you can tilt to adjust the angle are known as louvres. They are great when you want to block out direct sunlight, but still let some light through.

What are sidewinder blinds?

Any blind that has a beaded chain that passes through a mechanism to raise or lower it is known as a sidewinder blind.

What are blackout blinds?

Blackout blinds are made from special fabric that blocks all outside light. They’re ideally suited to your bedroom when you want to drift off into a deep sleep without getting woken up by cars and streetlights.

What are plantation shutters?

Plantation shutters are wooden shutters that are mounted in window recesses to provide a light and airy look. They will typically have adjustable slats and be hung on hinges.

What are roman blinds?

Roman blinds are a stylish take on roller blinds, but the fabric is designed to fold back on itself in a concertina style when they’re raised, rather than get rolled up.

What’s the recess?

The recess is the gap between your wall paper and your window frame, and it’s what gives rise to your window sill where you keep those lovely ornaments.

What is the drop?

Your windows will typically be recessed into your walls. The drop is then the distance between the top and bottom of the recess. You’ll need to measure it if you want to know how long your blinds need to be.

What are day & night blinds?

Day & Night blinds are one of 247Blind’s signature styles that offer sunlight control during the day, and privacy in the evenings. They’re a new concept in the world of blinds, and are becoming increasingly popular.

What are slats?

Any horizontal piece of material that makes up a blind is referred to as a slat. They can be made of wood, metal, or plastic depending on which style of blind you choose. Many types of blinds allow you to angle the slats so you can change the space between neighbouring slats, and therefore control the amount of light that comes into the room.

What is a bobble chain?

Bobble chains are typically made from plastic beads which feed through a mechanism as you lower or raise your blinds.

What is the wand for?

Many blinds include a wand as well as bobble chain. It’s a long rod that is inserted into the blind’s mechanism. Twisted it allows you to raise or lower your blinds. It can also be used to angle the slats in other types of blinds.

What are vertical blinds?

Vertical blinds are made from vertically hanging strips of fabric which you can then tilt to adjust the amount of light that comes into the room. They are commonly found in offices and classrooms.

What are roller blinds?

Roller blinds consist of a single sheet of fabric that’s wrapped around a roller mounted on the wall. Turning the roller with the help of a cord or wand will raise or lower the blind depending on which direction you turn it.

What are Venetian blinds?

Any blind that consists of horizontal slats that you can angle are knowns as Venetian blinds. They will typically be made from metal, plastic, wood, or faux wood.

What are Velux blinds?

Velux is one of the biggest names in the world of skylights, and Velux blinds have become a shorthand for any blinds that fit a skylight. Certain blinds may be designed for specific skylight manufacturers, so you should check this before purchase.

What is a motorised blind?

Whilst most blinds are manually operated using a wand or a cord, some come with a built in motor which will raise or lower the blind with the push of a button.