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How To Buy Blinds

Bedroom Furniture El Dorado Hills and Blinds.

How to Buy Blinds

Blinds are a popular window treatment choice because of their durability, affordability and appearance. With so many styles and materials to choose from, buying the right blinds for your home can seem overwhelming. Buying blinds is actually quite simple and just requires some product knowledge and careful planning. Read on to learn more.

Step 1

Choose vertical or horizontal blinds. Which you buy depends on window size, room placement and personal taste. Horizontal blinds are great for bedrooms as they block out more light. Vertical blinds are often best for oversized windows, as you can custom order them in almost any size. In addition, horizontal blinds can get very heavy and hard to operate on long windows, so vertical blinds can be a more practical option.

Step 2

Determine your budget. Installing blinds throughout a home can cost from hundreds to thousands of dollars, depending on the style, material and brand you choose. Even the most expensive blinds are generally far less expensive than curtains and drapes. Aluminum mini-blinds are often cheapest and wood blinds or shutters are usually the most costly. Your design consultant can help you buy pricing out different options for each room, so that you can compare the overall costs.

Step 3

Pick a material. Vertical blinds come in fabric and PVC vinyl. Some fabric blinds are sheer, allowing light in through sheer fabric when partially open. Horizontal blinds, also called Venetian blinds, come in aluminum, faux wood and wood. Faux wood blinds look like the real thing, but are heavier and cheaper. Buy blinds in a material that complements your and will hold up best in a room.

Step 4

Measure your windows. It's crucial that you take precise measurements, particularly if you're buying custom blinds that are non-refundable. Always use a metal measuring tape, take each measurement twice and write down all measurements. How you measure depends on whether you'll mount blinds inside or outside the window and the type of blinds you purchase.  See our "How to Measure for Blinds" section for proper instructions.  We can take the guess work out and measure for you, free of charge, when you have us out for a free in-home consultation.

Step 5

Buy blind accessories. Valances add a classy, finished look to vertical and horizontal blinds and come standard with some models. Motorized blinds are easy to operate via remote control and eliminate child safety risks associated with blind cords. There are also less expensive cord upgrades that will pose much safer for children and pets, while also making the blind easier to lift up and down everyday.

How to Measure for Blinds:

Measuring Guidelines
We want your custom window coverings to fit your window perfectly, so here is some information on measuring that you might find helpful.  If you do not feel confident measuring or installing your new window coverings, we will be happy to do it for you, just ask!

Where to Mount your blind:

Before you measure, consider whether you want to mount your window blinds inside the window frame or outside the window on the wall or trim.
An inside or recessed mount hangs inside the window frame

The top of the blind does not project out of the window opening and provides a neater, more finished look without hiding wood trim.

An outside mount hangs either directly on the wood trim or above and outside the wood trim on either side. In either outside mount situation, your wood trim is covered when the blind is closed. Although an inside mount is usually preferred, an outside mount can make a window appear larger, hide unattractive windows or provide total light control.
In addition to personal decorating preference, consider that for an inside mount, your casing or sill must have a minimum depth of 1 1/2" for 1" blinds and 2 1/2" for 2" blinds to be totally recessed.

Important Things to Remember:

Whether you decide to mount your blind inside or outside of the window frame, here are comon guidelines that will help you ensure that your blinds fit properly:
1. Always use a metal tape measure. Cloth or plastic may stretch providing inaccurate measurements.
2. Record measurements in inches (do not use feet, yards, centimeters, or meters)
3. Record measurements in width first, height second (W x H). Be careful not to transpose measurements.
4. Take all your measurements to the nearest 1/8 inch.
5. Measure the exact width of every window in three different places (top, middle, and bottom). Use the narrowest measurement and write it down.
6. Measure the exact height from the top of the window opening to the bottom sill in three different places (left, center, and right side). Use the longest measurement for all products except vertical blinds (use the shortest height for vertical blinds). Write down the appropriate measurement.
7. For inside mount blinds, the finished width will be made slightly smaller (1/16" to 1/2") than your measurements to allow for operating clearance. The deductions are made so that the blind will not rub on the window frame. The factory will take these deductions, do not take them yourself. There are no deductions taken for outside mount blinds, these will be made to your exact measurements.
8. Measure all windows, even if they look alike.
9. Double check all measurements. Your blinds will be made for your specific window size, so be sure that they will fit properly.
10. If necessary, request extension brackets to clear obstructions or hold-down brackets for door applications.
If you have any questions when measuring, please call us at (530) 621-9566 or (888) 345-Blinds.

For an outside mount: Outside mounts hang outside the window opening either on the wood trim or above and on either side of the wood trim. If you want to mount your window blinds directly to the window frame, then measure the exact width of the wood frame itself from outer edge to outer edge. Round this measurement down to the nearest 1/8" and record it on your measuring worksheet. Measure the exact height from the outer edge of the top of the trim to the top of the windowsill or to the exact length that you want the blind. Measure the height in three places (the right side, the middle and left side of the window). Round the measurements down to the nearest 1/8" and record the shortest (smallest) measurement on your measuring worksheet. If you have enough room on each side of your window and would like to ensure maximum privacy and minimum light gap, measure the exact width beyond the wood trim that you would like to have the blind cover. With horizontals, wood blinds, pleated and cellular shades, it is generally recommended to add at least 1" to 3" beyond each side of the window and at least 2" to 3" to the height to allow space for mounting brackets above the opening of the window and to add your desired overlap at the bottom of the window opening. If you specify an outside mount, there will not be any deductions taken when the blind is manufactured - your blind will be made to the exact size that you specify.
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Measuring for Vertical Blinds All vertical blind vanes rotate. They also draw like draperies. You may request a center open/two-way draw where the vanes stack on both sides of the window, or a one-way draw where the vanes stack on either the left or right side of the window. For a sliding glass door (ie. patio doors), we suggest a one-way draw with the stack on the opposite side of the door handle.

Click here for a printable measuring worksheet Most vertical blinds are mounted outside of the window frame because they usually require at least 4 ½" in window opening depth. Patio door handles protrude and interfere with an inside mount. However, if you have sufficient window depth, they can be mounted inside the window frame.

For an inside or ceiling mount:

Depending on the size of the window, an inside mount will result in the window glass being partially covered by the stacked blinds when they are opened.

Measure the exact width of the window opening across the top where the headrail is to be installed. Measure from the inside of the trim on the left side to the inside of the trim on the right side. Round the measurement down to the nearest 1/8" and record this measurement on the measuring worksheet. The headrail of all inside mount blinds will be made slightly smaller (1/16" to 3/8") than requested to allow room for mounting brackets and for operating clearance. Measure the exact height of the window opening from the inside of the trim to the top of the windowsill or to the exact length that you want the blind. Measure the height in three places (the right side, the middle, and the left side of the window). Round the measurements down to the nearest 1/8" and record the shortest (smallest) measurement on the measuring worksheet. The blind will be made about  ¼" to ½" shorter to allow for free movement of vanes at the sill or floor.Measure the available depth of your window frame. Be careful not to include inside trim, window cranks or tracks. Measure only the space that is available to install the mounting brackets for the blinds. Record the measurement on the measuring worksheet.

Refer to the Things You Should Know section for the type of vertical blind you have chosen to determine the minimum window depth required to have a recessed mount where the blind does not project out of the window opening. For an outside or wall mount:If you specify an outside or wall mount, the blinds will be manufactured to the exact size that you specify. The factory will not take any size deductions. Depending on the amount of wall space available, you can have the blinds stack completely off the window glass when they are opened. Measure the width of the window opening including trim. If there is room, add at least 4" to each side for overlap. This will ensure minimum light gap. Measure the window opening height. Add at least 3" in height to allow for mounting brackets above the opening and add your desired overlap at the bottom. If your blinds will hang down to the floor or to the windowsill, deduct at least ½" for clearance.

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How to Measure in Special Situations
Sliding Doors

The most common window treatment for sliding doors is vertical blinds. You can mount verticals, either within the door frame (inside or ceiling mount), or on the wall above the casing (outside mount). We suggest that you allow 3-5 inches above the door frame to mount the vertical brackets. Remember, when measuring the width for an outside mount, add a minimum of 3 to 4 inches on both sides of the window to prevent light gaps. If your door handle protrudes it could interfere with the window treatment. If necessary you can order extension brackets. These brackets add depth to the headrail, allowing the clearance for the obstructing door handle.

French Doors

These doors are very simple to measure. To prevent against light gaps, measure the width of the glass pane and add as much as available without interfering with the door handles. Usually you can go at least 1 or more inches on either side. It would be ideal to be able to add 2 inches on each side, adding a total of 4 inches to the width. Allow room for mounting hardware (2" to 6") at the top. The length of the blind should be measured 2 to 3 inches below the glass to ensure that the entire glass is covered. Hold down brackets can be used to hold the bottom of the blind in place.

Please Note: When you order a certain width, you are ordering the width of the headrail. The blind itself (fabric, metal slats, vanes) will always be narrower than the headrail to allow it to fit inside of the headrail. This difference is generally not significant. However, in the case of roller shades that are outside mounts, the fabric will be one full inch narrower than the headrail. So, you will need to add an inch to your measurement to ensure that the fabric will cover the window opening.

Sill depth For inside or recessed mounts, you need to take into consideration the amount of window depth you have to work with. Depending upon the product, mounting depths vary. It is best to make a note of the available depth, to make sure the product you choose will fit to your liking.

About the Author

Being voted best furniture store and best window coverings store in El Dorado County is quite an honor! Five years ago we saw a need here that we could fill with our business experience. We decided to bring Affordable Furniture and Blinds to El Dorado County. We wanted to keep the dollars local and knew that people would appreciate not having to waste gas and time if they could find what they want right here at home. Since then we have offered over 50 manufacturers of home furnishings. If it's out there we can probably get it.

We offer free in home estimates and installation on all window coverings. Our in store gallery has all of the latest displays so that people can try all different controls and styles. Our Designer's Van is equipped with every color and sample we offer. Plus we have a low price guarantee.

Affordable Furniture and Blinds' philosophy is that shopping for items for your home should be enjoyable. At our store you are greeted with a smile by an experienced sales associate who will find you that perfect piece you've been looking for. Our showroom is full of unique styles and colors you won't see at the big box retailers. Our selection ranges from smaller pieces for seniors, to lodge pole pine for that cabin feel. You can go anywhere and see "average" furniture. People come to our store to solve their decorating dilemmas and to experience unique and interesting pieces that they won't see other places.

Who you buy from is just as important as what you buy. From the moment you walk in our store to when our delivery team leaves your home, you'll be impressed with our exceptional customer service and knowledge of home furnishings to suit every budget.

Whether you are shopping for just the right accent piece or to furnish an entire home, Affordable Furniture and Blinds is the perfect choice.

Price Guarantee
It's our promise at Affordable Furniture & Blinds never to be undersold on identical merchandise and service. 30 day price guarantee on any competitors published ads

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If you have any questions, feel free to call us anytime at (530) 276-8924.