Thinking of installing blinds in your home? Then find out why roman blind could be just the right option for you.
What are roman blinds?
Roman blinds are a type of window covering and a great alternative to curtains. A roman blind is made from a piece of fabric which you can either choose yourself or buy ready-made, which is the cheaper option. Most roman blinds will be lined, in order to keep light out at night time, as well as to keep hot or cool air inside the house.
Roman blinds are great in rooms such as the kitchen, as you can purchase easy-to-wipe material that makes cleaning far easier. If you live on a particularly bright street you can buy special roman blinds that block out even more light, ensuring you get a good night’s sleep. One of the disadvantages of a roman blind is the fact that they can only be moved up and down, and cannot be adjusted to let in different amounts of light. If this is a problem then you could look at an alternative.
What are the alternatives?
Another popular type of blind is the wooden venetian blind, which unlike a roman blind, has a tilting ability meaning that you can adjust the amount of light let into any given room, simply by pulling on the cord and adjusting the wooden slats accordingly. You can also, as with a roman blind, adjust its length. Venetian blinds would make a great addition to the home office, or perhaps a particularly sunny room in which you would like to be able to control the light flow. You can purchase a venetian blind in an array of different colours, so you are sure to find one to fit your home.
I can’t decide between venetian and roman blinds!
There is the option to combine the two, and the end result is very elegant. You can do this by having a venetian blind installed on the inside of a window frame and then the roman blind can be mounted above the window frame. This way you get the benefits of both types of blinds, privacy and light control.
What else do I need to consider?
Consider the style of your home and how it functions to determine what type of blinds to opt for. For example, if design is very important to you then a roman blind may be the more fashionable choice. However, if light control is more important then you should opt for the venetian. It is worth remembering that whilst roman blinds can be cleaned, it is quicker to simply wipe down a venetian blind, this could be important if you have pets or children. One more consideration to take into account is moisture, it is best to avoid venetian blinds in the bathroom because they will easily warp in areas of high moisture.
How much will a roman blind cost?
It really depends on the type of fabric you opt for and if you want it to be tailored to your taste, or if you are happy to purchase a ready-made one. Venetian blinds made of high quality wood can also work out quite expensive, however you are paying for durability and a long lifespan. If you are on a tight budget then you could opt for a cheap ready-made roman blind, or a faux-wood venetian blind, which still look attractive but are less costly. You can get a basic 100mm ready-made roman blind, or a 35mm slatted venetian blind for as little as £18, but these prices do go up the more quality and design you require.