Generally speaking, window blinds refer to anything that is used to cover the windows for comfort and privacy. There are other blinds which are called shutters, roller shades, cellular shades (also called honeycomb shades), wooden blinds (also called 2-inch horizontals). Wooden blinds are also called Venetians as this term is traditionally associated with the Romans from the beautiful city of Venice situated in Italy.
Throughout the ages, offices have evolved in terms of structure, frameworks and foundation. In this digital age, businesses and corporate houses are always on the run to beautify their respective offices in all possible ways in order to create an impression of beauty and comfort. This evolvement has brought in the necessity to bring significant changes and reforms to the conventions. Installation of air-conditioners, heaters, microwave ovens accompanied by modern doors and windows are salient examples of the reforms.
Talking about the reformation of windows, it has to be admitted that a window without a blind is like an empty cup without coffee. Window blind refers to window covering. Diverse window blinds are available in the market.
Wooden Blinds Mechanism
All window blinds comprise different control systems. However, a normal window blind comprises long, horizontal or vertical slats. They are also composed of different materials such as hard materials, which may be made of wood, plastic or metal. These materials are held together by cords that operate within the blind slats.
The mechanism of vertical blinds is that they run along with a track system that can be opened and closed and can tilt side by side. The blinds can be easily controlled either by remote control or by manual means. They have to be operated from an open position, making spaces between slats to a closed position where slats can overlap and block the sunlight in order to prevent the excessive heat coming into the room countering the functions of the air-conditioner.
Another alternative to blinds is coverings called shades which also serve the function of blocking excessive sun rays from entering the room. Shades however are made of soft materials instead of slats as in blinds.
Types of Blinds
There are many types of blinds available in the market as follows:
1. Persian or Slat
2. Venetian
3. Vertical
4. Roman
5. Shoji
6. Others
All the above-mentioned materials are made up of the following substances as follows:
1. Fabric
2. Roller Shades/Blinds
3. Wood (Venetian Blinds)
4. Pinoleum Blinds
5. Faux Wood
6. Other Materials
This article solely concentrates on wooden blinds- their composition, specifications, functions, various uses, advantages, and cost factors.
Composition of Wooden Blinds-
Wooden Blinds/Venetian Blinds are made up of horizontal wooden slats which are collectively joined by corded pulleys. The wood used for this can be either painted or solid oaks. They are also made of wider slats.
Specifications-
The finishing of the wooden blinds are diverse; sizes are determined by the width of each slat which is available in one of three widths- 25mm, 35mm or 50mm. They are also available as vertical blinds.
Functions-
Wooden blinds function in the same way as their horizontal counterparts. They can both move upwards vertically and also sideways horizontally.
Various Uses:
1. Allow sunlight to enter the room when required either by moving vertically upwards or horizontally sideways
2. Provides comfort and privacy when required by closing either by moving downwards or shutting down to the centre when putting sideways
3. Prevent exposure from excessive ultra-violet rays which can cause skin cancer and in some cases can lead to damage of some sensitive materials such as wooden furniture
Cost Factors
Wooden blinds are extremely cost effective. Although it might require an initial handsome investment but the one time huge investment is worth the money.
On an average a wooden blind price is 150 to 250 taka per square feet. So, if a blind price is 190 tk/sq. feet then you have to pay 15200 tk for 80 square feet (10 feet by 8 feet) blind.
Advantages wooden Blinds
• Extremely strong, durable and can sustain through various adversities
• Resistant towards heat, rain and cold
• Not easily susceptible towards any form of damage or weaknesses
• Extremely cost-effective and a worthwhile investment near to permanent
• Enhances beautification of the room
• Provides excellent insulation facilities
• Low maintenance costs
• Increases the aura of the room by making it more fashionable, elegant and aristocratic
Negative aspects of Wooden Blinds
While wooden blinds are outstanding and superb in nature and quality which adds exceptional beauty and wonderful decorative features to the room, it surely has some disadvantages which must be taken into consideration. Thus, the following disadvantages should be considered before making an investment in it.
1. Wooden blinds are exceptionally heavy and can breakout anytime due to unjust stress and pressure. The control systems can sometimes lead to failure and damage of wooden blinds prematurely. This happens when wooden blinds are used for large windows that they lose control over its mechanisms by having to serve more strenuously while their capacities are limited.
2. The vanes of the wood blind are thicker than aluminium thus losing flexibility to function to a certain extent
3. They have to be regularly taken care of through deep cleansing with furniture and lemon tree oil
4. Preferably not to be used in countries with humid weather as the excessive heat can easily corrode the sophisticated wood leading to dark marks and dryness in its figure
Conclusion
Although carrying along with it some disadvantages, it can be suggested that wooden blinds are safe, comfortable and convenient to use. It enhances the beauty of infrastructure by giving it a gorgeous and aristocratic appearance.
The disadvantages may be considered before investing in it but this is also to be kept in mind that there are dark sides to everything and every single thing comes with an expiry date.