A
Size designation of plastic Venetian blind tape. Size-A tape has a Slat Size of 2 inches, a Ladder Length of 2 3/16 inches, and a Double Ladder Space of 3 1/4 inches
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AB
Size designation of cloth Venetian blind tape. Size-AB tape has a Slat Size of 2 inches, a Ladder Length of 2 3/16 inches, and a Double Ladder Space of 3 1/2 inches
Additional cord
Lift cord in a blind or shade exclusive of the minimum two lift cords.
Angle
Specialty blind or shade made to fit windows in which the header and sill are not parallel. [Angle shade examples]
Blind
Any window covering with movable slats or louvers for modulating light and privacy through the window covering.
Bottom rail
Element of horizontal blind or shade, normally at the bottom, which is moved by the lift cords in order to raise or lower the blind or shade.
Break-Thru&#; safety tassel
Hunter Douglas tassel designed to protect children and pets by separating into two halves when something is caught between the cords of a window covering. To reassemble, simply snap the halves together. To reassemble a four-cord tassel place loose cords in slot in top of tassel halves and snap the halves together. [Break-Thru tassel example]
Braided ladder
Element of a horizontal blind which supports slats. Constructed of two parallel cords connected at right angles to each other by short strings called rungs &#; the slats are supported by the rungs.
Cellular shade
Any shade which, when utilized, creates air spaces in the form of tubes or cells in order to increase thermal efficieny, sound absorption, or opacity.
Clutch-lift
Any specialty window covering which uses a RollEase® (or equivilent) lift system. Brand-specific names of clutch-lifts are: EasyGlide (Hunter Douglas), EasyUp (Bali, Graber, Nanik), and Activator (LouverDrape, Fashion Tech, Verosol)
Concealed bracket
Installation bracket which is not visible when blind or shade is installed.
Convolute roller
Shade roller made of cardboard which is laminated into a thick tube. Generally used on inexpensive, standard-sized roller shades.
Cordlock
Mechanism which holds a horizontal blind or shade open by friction on the lift cords.
Cord retractor
Device which winds the cords of a window covering on a spring-loaded reel to prevent access and possible injury to children and pets.
DE
Size designation of cloth Venetian blind tape. Size-DE tape has a Slat Size of 2 3/8 inches, a Ladder Length of 2 9/16 inches, and a Double Ladder Space of 4 1/4 inches
Double Ladder Space
Venetian blind tape dimension. Linear distance between every-other ladder rung. Determines the spacing between slats and, by extension, the height of the blind given a set number of slats or the number of slats required given a set height of the blind.
Duck
Color designation for cloth tapes. Duck is equivalent to Natural (a slight off-white) as opposed to white which is a bright, bleached white.
Duette® shade
Registered trademark for honeycomb shade manufactured by Hunter Douglas Window Fashions, Inc.
Face
Surface of the window frame which is (typically) parallel to the window and wall. Or, the moulding around the window which faces the room.
Head rail
Element of window covering, normally at the top, which is attached to the installation brackets and houses the operational components (i.e. cordlock, carriers, etc.) of the window covering.
Horizontal blind
Any blind with horizontally oriented slats.
Honeycomb shade
Cellular shade
Inside mount
Measurement specification for manufacturing a window covering intended to fit inside a window casing. The manufacturer will take a standard deduction from the specified measurement to allow for proper operation of the window covering within the window casing.
Intermediate Bracket
Installation bracket for horizontal blinds used for additional support between end brackets on wide blinds.
Jamb
Inside sides of the window frame which are perpendicular to the window and window frame face.
Ladder Length
Venetian blind tape dimension. Linear measurement of the rung between the front and back of the tape.
Louver
Element of a blind (usually a vertical blind), similar to a slat but may be made of cloth or a rigid material like plastic, aluminum, or wood.
Luminette® privacy sheers
Registered trademark for window covering product patended by Hunter Douglas, Inc. combines features of sheer drapery, and vertical blind.
Macro blind
Horizontal blind with 2" slats
Metal head
Venetian blind with metal headrail
Micro blind
Horizontal blind with ½" slats
Mingled
Color designation for cloth tapes. Mingled is Duck with a green thread woven into the herringbone pattern of the tape. It has a more neutral/grayish overall look than Duck.
Mini blind
Horizontal blind with 1" slats
Motorized window covering
Any blind or shade operated by an electric motor via a wall-mounted switch or remote control unit.
Mylar shade
Roller shade constructed with transparent Mylar film for fabric. Very effective for minimizing glare, interior heat gain, and ultraviolet radiation damage without obstructing the view through a window. Ineffective for night time privacy.
Outside Mount
Measurement specification for manufacturing window coverings intended to be installed outside the window casing. Manufacturers will normally not make any adjustments to the specified measurements.
Pleated shade
Any shade in which the fabric is folded and creased in an accordian-like manner. Similar to Cellular shade, but lacking air cells.
PowerRise®
Registered trademark for battery-powered, remote-controlled, motorized window coverings manufactured by Hunter Douglas, Inc. Available on Duette® and Silhouette® products.
R-value
Numeric measurement of a material's resistance to thermal transfer. The measurement represents the time it takes for one degree Fahrenheit of heat to transfer through the material. The larger the number the better the insulation provided by the material.
Record
replace lift or draw cord in blind, shade, or traverse rod.
Renovation
Complete overhaul of horizontal blind (excluding cordlock and tiltgear replacement). Service includes cleaning, recording, and retaping.
RollEase®
Registered trademark of a clutch-driven shade lifting system manufactured by General Clutch, Inc. It is comprised of a loop (either cord or chain) which operates a clutched roller driver. Pulling the loop one direction will raise the shade, while pulling the loop in the opposite direction will lower the shade.
Roller shade
Any shade in which fabric is wrapped around a roller and is operated by winding and unwinding.
RV & boat
Any specialty shade made specifically for a recreational vehicle or marine vessel.
Shade
Any window covering which, when utilized, lacks a mechanism for modulating light and privacy through the window covering.
Shade roller
Long tube or dowel with a winding mechanism on which shade fabric is wrapped.
Silhouette® window shadings
Registered trademark for window covering product patented by Hunter Douglas, Inc. Combines features of drapery, roller shade, and macro blinds.
Skylight shade
Any specialty window covering made to fit a window which is not perpendicular to the floor.
Slat
Element of a horizontal blind, usually made of wood or aluminum, which obstructs light and view through a window and is supported by ladders.
Slat Length
Measurement across the long side of a slat.
Slat Size
Measurement across the short side of a slat.
Soffit
The top inside surface of the window frame which is perpendicular to the window and window frame face. The top of the window covering headrail is typically installed against the soffit of the window frame.
Specialty blind or shade
Any blind or shade which does not fit the definition of a standard rectangular blind or shade.
Standard rectangular
Any window covering made to fit a window or door in a wall which is perpendicular to the floor.
T-Handle
Low-profile replacement window crank. T-handles provide adequate leverage without obstructing window coverings, fit most brands of windows, and are available in several colors.
Tape Ladder
Element of a horizontal blind which supports slats. Constructed of two parallel strips of cloth or plastic approximately 1½" wide connected at right angles to each other with narrower strips of the same material called rungs &#; the slats are supported by the rungs
Tiltgear
Mechanism by which the slats of a blind are adjusted to modulate the light through the blind.
Top-down/bottom-up
Specialty shade with two sets of lift cords. The first set controls the bottom rail like a standard rectangular shade. The second set controls a middle rail which is attached to the top of the shade fabric. When lowered, this middle rail reveals the window from the head rail to the middle rail.
Traverse rod
Device from which a drapery is hung which has a draw cord to facilitate the opening and closing of the drapery.
U-factor
Numeric measurement of a material's transmission of heat. Reciprocal of R-value. The smaller the number, the less heat is transfered through the material.
Vane
Element of a blind, synonymous with louver.
Venetian blind
Any horizontal blind. Usually in reference to older style blinds.
Vertical blind
Any blind with vertically oriented vanes.
Wood blind
Any blind with wooden slats or vanes.
Wood rail
Venetial blind with wood head and tilt rails. Wood rails may have wood or metal slats.
X
Size designation of cloth Venetian blind tape. Size-X tape has a Slat Size of 1 3/4 inches, a Ladder Length of 1 15/16 inches, and a Double Ladder Space of 2 3/4 inches
Unsure of some of the terms used by the industry? Here's a useful resource for common window treatment terms and definitions.
A
Horizontal aluminum blinds are made out of 6-gauge to 9-gauge aluminum, with the 9-gauge being the sturdiest and more expensive product. Also called "mini blinds," "macro blinds," or "micro blinds".
B
A hardwood tree, typically grown in North America or China. Basswood is a high quality wood due to its resistance to warping.
Blackout fabrics and liners, blocks up to 99% of outside light. Blackout is the best choice for bedrooms, children's rooms, and media rooms. Also called "blockout."
See "Blackout."
A heavy horizontal piece of hardware that anchors your window covering on the bottom. Bottom rails are usually color-coordinated to match the rest of the window covering. The bottom rail weighs the window covering down and keeps it hanging straight.
Installation parts that are mounted on the window frame or wall used to attach and install the headrail of a window treatment.
C
Shutters that cover only the bottom portion of the window; generally the bottom half.
Fabric shades that use air pockets to maximize energy efficiency; insulating against heat, cold, and sound. Also called "honeycomb shades."
Vertical strips of fabric, usually one to two inches wide that are used to hold a blind together. Tapes are not threaded through the slats like ladders; when the blinds are closed, the tapes will run straight down the front surface. Available on many wood, faux wood and 2" mini blinds, cloth tapes improve light control and privacy while adding a decorative accent.
A window treatment mechanism that uses a pulley system to rotate a clutch that raises or lowers a shade. The looped cord stays at the same length regardless of the position of the shade.
The mechanisms used to raise, lower and tilt a window treatment. Controls are usually cords or wands. When ordering a product, you will be asked to specify on which side you would like the controls to be placed. Please note: all 1" blinds come with wand control for the tilt, since the headrail size does not allow a cord.
Used to prevent the cords of a window covering from pooling on the floor or window sill. Cord cleats are a safe solution to keep dangerous, dangling cords out of reach of children and pets. Available for inside or outside mount applications.
A window treatment mechanism that eliminates the lift cord for effortless raising and lowering of blinds and shades by pushing or pulling the bottom rail. Provides a less cluttered look and is a safe alternative for households with small children and pets.
Link to ymtc
D
Divider rails add both beauty and strength to shutter panels. With a divider rail in place the separate sections of louvers operate independently of each other. The default placement for the divider rail is in the center of the panel; however you can off center it.
A type of cellular shade construction that offers increased insulation by using two layers of cellular fabric.
E
A decorative fabric accent around the sides and bottom of a woven wood shade. Available in both solid and decorative patterns to complement your home décor and provide a truly finished look.
For installations requiring additional space between the blind and the mounting surface, so that the blind will clear obstructions such as window cranks or trim. Available for outside mount applications only.
F
Depth required to mount blind so that it is fully recessed inside the window frame and no portion of the blind protrudes from the window frame.
H
The hardware at the top of the window treatment that contains the mechanical operational parts.
Refers to the vertical measurement of the blind. **Note: Each product has a unique minimum and maximum height, which may vary based on selected options. For measuring instructions, click here.
Hold-down brackets prevent blinds from swaying. Recommended for doors and in windows subject to wind exposure. Brackets must be unfastened from wall/door before shade can be raised. Available for outside mount applications only.
see "Cellular Shade."
I
The fabric that is inserted into a groover of a fabric vertical.
A type of installation that refers to hanging a window treatment inside the window frame, so that it is recessed with the window.
L
Thin cords that are threaded through each slat that hold a blind together. In some cases, you may be able to substitute a cloth tape for a ladder.
See "Height."
The control, usually a cord, which raises and lowers the blinds or shades. Special lifting mechanisms are available including cordless, continuous cord, top down/bottom up, and motorization.
The ability to control the amount of incoming light. Blinds or shutters that use slats or louvers provide the best light control. Shades with a Top Down/Bottom Up option also have the ability to control light.
A shade that allows light in while the product is fully lowered. The more opaque a fabric is, the less light will be filtered into the room. Darker-colored fabrics will filter out more light than lighter-colored fabrics.
Light Filtering Privacy Liner: A light-filtering privacy liner applied to the back of the shade providing additional privacy. Room Darkening Privacy Liner: A room-darkening privacy liner applied to the back of the shade providing maximum privacy.
An integral part of a shutter that is used to control the amount of light that goes through, similar to the slats of a blind. Louvers are available in 2 ½" and 3 ½" sizes.
M
The maximum area (width times height) the blind or shade may be in feet. For measuring instructions, click here.
Depth required to mount blind inside the window frame. ***Note: A portion of the blind may protrude from the window frame.
Battery or AC powered option for raising or tilting blinds and shades. Motorized tilt options rotate the slats of a horizontal shade open or closed for light and privacy control at the touch of a button. Motorized lift options raise or lower the entire shade. Motorization offers convenience and ease of operation for almost any window application and is especially useful for hard to reach or large windows.
Mount refers to whether the blind will be mounted within the window frame (inside mount) or on the wall surrounding the window (outside mount).
Large blinds can be difficult to raise and lower. Breaking a large blind into two or more smaller ones makes it much easier to operate, and will extend the life of the lifting mechanism. Because the blinds share a single headrail, the window will still have a unified appearance. Please note: there will be a small gap (about 1/2", but will vary by product) between each of the segments of the blind to prevent them from rubbing together.
N
Roman style shades made of natural material such as wood, fibers, bamboo, and grasses.
O
A non-reflective surface that blocks up to 99% of outside light. Opaque is the best choice for bedrooms, children's rooms, and media rooms.
A type of installation that refers to hanging a window treatment on the wall surrounding the window, so that the window treatment overlaps slightly with the wall.
P
Shades made of single layers of crisp, evenly spaced pleated fabric. They are a less expensive alternative to cellular shades, but provide less insulation.
Refers to how much of a view is blocked when the window treatment is fully closed. Sheer fabrics do not provide any degree of privacy, while blackout fabrics would be considered fully private.
see "Extension Brackets".
R
A less expensive hardwood than basswood, ramin wood is used for many value priced wood blinds.
When a motorized lift or tilt option is selected, a remote control is necessary to operate the blind. One remote control will operate multiple blinds; if ordering more than one motorized blind, you can choose to order only one remote control for all of the blinds in a room.
The two "side" pieces of a valance that connect the front (main) part of the valance to the wall. Valance returns are only used on outside mounts.
Roller shade option where the fabric rolls off the front of the shade, preventing the backside of the fabric from being seen and creating a more streamlined look.
A shade made of vinyl or fabric that is attached to a cylindrical roller.
Optional slat design for horizontal blinds such as wood, faux wood, and mini blinds, in which the cord holes through the slats are offset. This provides increased privacy and light control, tighter closure, and a sleeker look.
Decreases the amount of light passing through a shade to darken a room. For bedrooms or media rooms where light is a major concern, consider installing the blackout shade using an outside mount. Keep in mind that there is no window treatment that can completely black out a room, but it can reduce up to 99% of the light from passing through.
S
Used on motorized blinds only. The satellite eye is a tiny sensor that detects the remote control. You will be asked to specify on which side you want it located. If there is more than one motorized blind in a single room the receiver eye for each blind should be positioned on opposite sides of the blinds for independent control.
Fabric that provides moderate light control, allowing images and shapes to be seen, but not details.
A paneled window treatment that uses louvers for light control. The elliptical shape of the louvers maximizes the light controlling aspect and acts as an excellent insulator when closed.
An integral part of a horizontal blind that is used to control the amount of light that goes through.
Used to add an extra 1/2" or 1" of depth to the headrail. Spacer blocks are usually used to avoid obstructions such as molding around a window. Available for outside mount applications only.
Special features that offer an alternative to standard lifting controls, add extra light control, or alter the decorative appearance of the blind or shade.
Stack refers to the area on the wall where window treatments rest when they are opened and the window is exposed.
For vertical blinds, stacking refers to the direction in which the blind opens. The most common types are left stack and right stack. If you order a left stack, the slats will be drawn to the left side of the window when fully opened. For a right stack, the vanes will be drawn to the right. Other choices include split stack, in which the blinds open from the middle, with half of the vanes stacking on the left and half on the right; and center stack in which the blinds open from both sides and stack in the middle of the window.
For horizontal blinds, "stacking height" refers to how much area the product will cover when the blind or shade is drawn fully open. The smaller the stack height, the greater the view to the outside.
Special brackets used only for cellular shades. Swivel brackets are used to ease installation when a window does not have enough depth to accommodate traditional mounting brackets.
T
Vertical strips of fabric, usually one to two inches wide that are used to hold a blind together. Tapes are not threaded through the slats like ladders; when the blinds are closed, the tapes will run straight down the front surface. Available on many wood, faux wood and 2" mini blinds, cloth tapes improve light control and privacy while adding a decorative accent.
The position (and mechanism, if applicable) of the control that tilts the slats of the blind open and closed. It is usually most convenient to have the tilt control and the lift control on opposite sides of the blind
A shade option that opens from the top down instead from the bottom up. When completely open, the fabric stacks at the bottom of the window.
A versatile shade option that opens from the top down and from the bottom up. Uses a set of lift cords to open either from the top down or from the bottom up, or both at the same time. This option is very good for protecting your privacy while still allowing light in.
A type of cellular shade construction that offers superior insulation by using three layers of cellular fabric.
Large blinds can be difficult to raise and lower. Breaking a large blind into two or more smaller ones makes it much easier to operate, and will extend the life of the lifting mechanism. Because the blinds share a single headrail, the window will still have a unified appearance. Please note: there will be a small gap (about 1/2", but will vary by product) between each of the segments of the blind to prevent them from rubbing together.
V
The decorative piece used as a finishing touch to hide the headrail of a window treatment. The valance material typically matches the material of the product.
The two "side" pieces of a valance that connect the front (main) part of the valance to the wall. Valance returns are only used on outside mounts.
An ideal window treatment for patio doors and wide expansive windows. The vanes work as excellent insulators under light and extreme temperatures.
W
A standard type of installation for verticals, in which the headrail is mounted on the wall surrounding the door or window.
Refers to the horizontal measurement of the blind in inches. **Note: Each product has a unique minimum and maximum width, which may vary based on selected options. For measuring instructions, click here.
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