Slatted Wooden Blinds ( Houten Jalozieen) are easy and practical to use, and are a popular and traditional choice. The main, and only difference, between them and a ‘Venetian Blind’ is the material they’re made of. Although people do refer to Wooden Blinds( Houten Jalozieen) as Venetians, the term is more often used when referring to the metal and plastic, ‘modern’ slatted blinds which are so easily available, and popular today. The name Venetian mostly refers to the horizontal design, which was first patented by a London gentleman in the late seventeen hundreds.. However, bamboo and Wooden Blinds( Houten Jalozieen) were being used many centuries before, by the Japanese. Wooden Blinds( Houten Jalozieen) use the exact same interconnecting cord system, which modern plastic and metal Venetians do. A system of string pulleys joins the individual wooden slats together, allowing them to be rotated up to one hundred and seventy degrees. Therefore, making it very easy to control how much light enters the room, while still maintaining a certain level of privacy.

You will discover, Wooden Blinds ( Houten Jalozieen) are manufactured in a huge range of painted and natural finishes, depending on the type of wood used. Every colour under the rainbow and almost every type of wood is available, including oak. Standard slat widths are twenty five, thirty five, and 50mm. Although Wooden Blinds( Houten Jalozieen) are most often available in the Venetian style, there are also wooden vertical, or Persian styles around. As is typical of this style, the slats will be wider, but they function in the same way as Venetians, making them very practical. As well as a cord pulley manual system, they can also be motorised. This can be invaluable for use on a window where access is difficult. The term ‘Window Blind’ in general, is used to describe a broad range of window coverings. As well as for horizontal and vertical, Venetian and Persian‘s respectively, it is also a term used in reference to Louver Shutters, Roman Shades, Roller & Pleated designs. To name but a few. However, they can easily be categorised into two main groups, and they are, slatted, and solid. Their definition being relative to the way the blind opens, slats being the more adjustable, and therefore, the most controllable and practical.

Wood weave blinds are the latest home fashion trend. They’re easy to use and not dissimilar to roman blinds. Wood weave blinds are solid, not slatted, therefore offer a completely different look to the more traditional horizontal, and vertical designs. These blinds are all natural, manufactured in a range of wood, including bamboo and jute. They can give a room a unique, yet natural look. The Japanese are known to have used wood and bamboo blinds, but it was the Egyptian Pharaohs who first used reed blinds. Blinds made from interlaced twigs, Pinoleum Blinds, are another popular and economical natural wood, solid blind. Solid Blinds may not be so adjustable as horizontal and vertical blinds, but they are still an extremely practical window covering. Wooden Blinds ( Houten Jalozieen) look great anywhere, natural, beautiful, practical and depending on which wood you opt for, economical.. You certainly won’t be short of options.

Most people, when they think of exterior window shutters, they think of the typically ‘classic’ French style Louvre, with small brightly coloured slats, and traditionally fashioned in wood.  But today, this is far from the only choice available, although still highly popular.  Today, due to the huge variety of designs, colours and effects on offer, Exterior Shutters can give any style of property a fabulous new look, whether it be modern or traditional.  Exterior, operational, shutters can be fitted horizontally or vertically, and can be opened and closed when required..  Fixed functional shutters cannot be opened, although both they and fully functional shutters do allow air flow, whilst still be able to offer some privacy.  Both will also keep back the rain and filter sunlight, although functional shutters, obviously, provide more control.  For storm and hurricane protection, shutters manufactured from fibreglass, aluminium and iron are most suitable.  However, not everyone chooses to have Exterior Shutters because they want protection. 

Exterior Shutters look stylish, they can add that ultimate final touch to your home.. Fixed, non functional shutters, without doubt, can enhance a property, of just about any style.  Many people just love the look of them, and, why not? Okay, some people are looking for privacy, need extra protection from bad whether, or maybe, need to be able to control sunlight.  This is what is important to them.  But for others?  They just want to give their home that certain something, the ultimate touch, one that will make the whole look of their home complete. For those who are looking for a quick and impressive change, Exterior Shutters can be a great solution. For those who are looking for that traditional ‘French’ look, wooden shutters are often the preferred choice.  However, today, you will find a huge range of synthetic, aluminium and iron shutters, beautifully styled and indeed, for many, an excellent alternative to wood.  Synthetic shutters need less maintenance, and, often, more durable than wooden Exterior Shutters.  In most cases, certainly more economical. 

There are particular hardwoods, like Teak, Mahogany and Cedar, which are preferable to soft woods.  However, soft woods, for instance, like pine, are readily available and much more economical.  Hard wood is much more resilient to moisture, therefore, less vulnerable to problems with rot, or any other kind of decay.  Hardwood also tends to be higher in Tannin, than soft wood, therefore, less prone to insect infestation..  Cedar is a particularly durable hardwood, many consider it to be the best option for Exterior Shutters, primarily, it’s extremely tough, and needs very little maintenance.  It is also extremely high in Tannin, but it is for all these reasons, why Cedar is used for a wide range of garden furniture.  Whatever non functional Exterior Shutters might be fabricated from, synthetic or vinyl, installation is easy.  Simply a matter of screwing or bolting them to the wall of your property.  Fibreglass shutters are highly favoured by those who live in hurricane or storm prone regions.  But they are also a good choice for non functional, fixed shutters.  Fibreglass is extremely resilient to distortion and rotting, as is Cedar.  Like the wood, it is also an extremely stable material.  But ultimately?  No matter the material, they always look great!

Shutters can enhance your home aesthetically, add to your privacy, and also protect you from the elements, making them both beautiful, and practical.   But they’re not just good for closing out stormy winds and rain, they also allow you to control how much sunlight enters a room.  Loved and favoured for centuries, shuttered windows can make your home more stylish and much more comfortable as well.  Many people have many different reasons for considering them, as you will certainly have your own too.  But one thing’s for sure, you won’t be struggling when it comes to choice.  From traditional wood to modern aluminium, you will certainly find something suitable, regardless of your style of home.  Shutters can change the mood and feel of any room, or enhance any exterior.  They are suitable for any kind of home, rustic, beach, modern, historic, colonial… the list is practically endless, as are all the styles available to you.  If it’s purely the ‘look’ you would like, fixed Shutters can be very economical, depending on your choice of style and material.  You can choose to cover windows, or doors, or both.  They can be placed inside, or outside, you may even feel a little overwhelmed by all the choices! But not to worry, like any home improvement project, simply thinking things through, knowing the pros and cons, will help you make the right choice. 

Many of the synthetic Shutters you find at your local home improvement store are inexpensive.  Although they’re usually non-functional and cannot be painted or stained.  As most people know, wood is the most traditional material, but today, aluminium, fibreglass, vinyl and plastic are also used.  Interior Shutters will usually be attached, using hinges, to the inside of your existing window frames. They can also be purchased on tracks, even motorised, making them highly controllable and easy to manage.  Access to you window will not be inhibited, with functional models. A fully operational ‘Louvre Style’ also has slats which can be adjusted to allow more, or less, light and air in.  Often referred to as Plantation Shutters, although in reality, this actually refers to the width of the slat itself, not so much it’s adjustability. A Plantation Shutter having an extra wide slat, making the control of airflow and sunlight much easier.  Other designs, which have rotational Louvers, are simply known as the ‘traditional’ style, or California Shutters. However they’re frequently referred to as the  ‘Plantation Style’ by many.

Unlike exterior or fully adjustable Louvre designs, an interior ‘fixed shutter’ can incorporate the use of many more materials and, therefore, styles, including fabrics and stained glass.  Making them extremely versatile when it comes to your interior design concerns .  Café style refers to a shutter which only covers the lower section of a window, but multiple tier, top and bottom tier Shutters are also available.  Which design you need will also depend a lot on how much privacy you need.  All the designs, styles, materials and functionality available definitely mean you are entirely in control.  Be practical, as well as stylish, when it comes to all these issues, and you won’t go far wrong.