Bathroom Blinds

Choosing new bathroom blinds presents quite a challenge to the homeowner, with such a wide range of blinds on offer how do you choose the ideal blind for a bathroom?

Waterproof Blinds

Depending on the location of the window to be dressed you may not need a truly waterproof fabric. If the blind is very close to the shower then it may run the risk of getting wet. In this case it may be worth choosing a pvc fabric. This is waterproof and wont be damaged if it gets wet. 

In all other cases the worst a blind will have to put up with is condensation. As long as the bathroom is well ventilated by either an open window or an extraction fan then most fabrics would be fine in this environment. Try and avoid a fabric with a flock such as faux suede material as this would hold moisture for longer that could possibly encourage mould growth over time. 

Privacy Blinds

If the location of your bathroom demands privacy then you may want to consider a privacy blind. Typically a blackout fabric or even a venetian blind will offer a window covering that will offer the most privacy even when the bathroom light is on in the evening. The PVC blind that we mentioned as being waterproof is also blackout so this would serve both functions. 

Type Of Blinds

What type of blind that you choose is down to personal choice, roller blinds and vertical blinds are available in all the fabrics that we've mentioned, both are ideal as bathroom blinds, in a dark bathroom then a roller blind will allow more light in during the day whereas vertical blinds will offer better light control on larger windows or windows that have the sun during the day. 

Venetian blinds can look great in the bathroom, It may be advisable to avoid real wood venetians but aluminium or wood effect venetian blinds are ideal. 

Pleated or Roman blinds, aren't really ideal in the bathroom as they would be affected by moisture. 

Vertical, roller and venetian blinds then seem to be the best choice for a bathroom, all are available in a wide range of colours and shades that will blend or harmonise with your colour scheme. Click here to see a range of affordable blinds ideal for bathrooms.

How To Fit Vertical Blinds

Learning how to fit vertical blinds isn't as difficult as you may think. If you have bought made to measure vertical blinds then you'll see watching the video below that you can fit a blind in just a few minutes.

Things you will need:

• Tape measure or ruler 
• Pencil
• Drill
• Screwdriver
• Plugs and Screws
• Scissors

First of all you need to mark where your brackets will go. If you have a small headrail like the one in the video then you should position them around 5 or 6 inches in from the end. On wide vertical blinds you will have received more brackets. Simply space them out equally along the width of the blind. If you have ordered face fix brackets which would be needed for fitting blinds to a conservatory or for places without a window recess such as in a dormer then you can now simply screw these to either the head of the window frame or to the wall itself. In the video however we show top fix brackets that are the most common method of fitting and would have come with you blind as standard. 

Face Fix or Top Fix Vertical Blinds

As the video shows, you will need to measure 3 1/4 inches from the face of the window frame (around 85mm) drill a hole and use a plug. Normally screws and plugs aren't supplied as there are several different types of material that may be at the head of your frame. The most common will be plaster however if you have a steel lintel then you'd need to use a different type of screw and no plug. Your local DIY store would be able to advise. 

Once the brackets are in place the headrail simply clicks into place. Be sure to offer the front of the rail into the bracket first. Please watch the video below for more details and to see how easy it is to fit vertical blinds. 

Click here to order vertical blinds like the ones in the video. 

Vertical Blinds - A Buyers Guide

So you've decided to buy vertical blinds but you simply don't know where to start? We've put together a simple vertical blind buyers guide to answer any questions that you may have.

What Are Ready Made Vertical Blinds?

Ready made vertical blinds are blinds that are available in set sizes. Argos blinds are ready made, the way to buy ready made blinds is to measure your window and then buy the next size up. Ready made blinds are traditionally cheaper than made to measure blinds although the difference in price these days is minimal and often if you shop around you can find made to measure blinds for less than ready made. 

The down side to ready made blinds of course is that you have to cut them to size. This means taking a saw to the headrail which is usually made from aluminium. In addition it means cutting and adjusting each blind slat by hand. On a small window this isn't too bad but on a wider window you should really set aside a full day. 

What Are Made To Measure Vertical Blinds?

Made to measure vertical blinds are as the title suggests, blinds that are made to your measurements. It is simply a matter of measuring your recess size and then the blind manufacturer will make the necessary adjustments and deliver your blinds ready to hang. This is a much easier way to buy blinds especially if you are buying more than one vertical blind. 

Made to measure vertical blinds are usually made from better components than ready made blinds. Very often you have a wider range of fabrics to choose from and once the blind is installed it will look a lot better than a cut down blind. 

Which Vertical Blind Control System Is Best?

There are two main control systems for vertical blinds. The first and cheapest system can normally be found on ready made blinds. It consists of a plastic rod sometimes called a wand, that simply attaches to the truck at the top of the last blind slat. to tilt the blinds you simply twist the rod, to draw the blinds you literally pull the blinds across using the rod. This system is cheap and cheerful, it doesn't really allow for a split opening option (when your blinds draw equally from the centre like curtains) as you'd have two rods on display in the centre of your window. 

The one single redeeming feature of the wand control system is that due to their being no cords or chains they are considered to be child safe. That said, traditional cord and chain controls can be fitted with child safe devices too. 

The more traditional method of vertical blind control is the cord and chain, the chain controls the tilt of the blind and the cord controls the draw. As already mentioned, this configuration allows a split opening option if required. 

What Should I Look For When Buying Vertical Blinds?

Choosing vertical blinds will always be a personal choice, if however you want some pointers then here goes.

Choose made to measure, this will save you so much time, we're talking a lot of time and also a great deal of frustration. Simply check this guide on measuring vertical blinds and then order them made to measure. Cord and chain controls make for a much more professional and usable blind. If child safety is your concern then specify a child safe option. 

Ensure that your vertical blind supplier sews each hem on the slats, some companies glue or bond the hems but this can result in the hem coming apart in the heat of the sun or if the blind is installed above a radiator. 

If you're buying blinds for more than one window then you may find that you can qualify for a vertical blind offer. 

Just Blinds manufacture vertical blinds and supply direct to the public at trade prices. Click here to buy vertical blinds online

Vertical Blinds - Repair or Replace?

Vertical blinds can often need repairing, sometimes the mechanism in the headrail may fail or sometimes the fabric starts to look a little worn.

Should you repair or replace your vertical blinds? Let's take a look at your options for repairing or replacing.

Repairing Vertical Blinds

Depending on your reasons for the repair then this may be a very inexpensive exercise. Often vertical blinds can get misaligned, if that's the case then you may not even need to buy any parts. See this video below to see how easy you can realign vertical blinds.

If the above video didn't solve your problem then the good news is that most of the parts on a vertical blind are easily replaced. 

If the blinds have stopped tilting or you can no longer draw them then chances are, you'll need a new vertical blind headrail. 

You may need new stabilising chain that connects to the weights at the bottom of the blinds, this is available literally for pennies! See the full range of vertical blind spares in our shop

Even if your blinds are functioning perfectly then your fabric may be looking a little tired. Some fabrics are washable but most can just be sponged lightly. If they are beyond repair however then you may want to consider replacement blind slats. Available in both 3.5 inch (89mm) and 5 inch (127mm) widths, blind slats come in a wide range of colours and can be made to measure so replacing them is as simple as taking your old slats down and hanging the new ones. Blind slats vary in price from 50p each to around £2 each depending on the fabric chosen. 

Made To Measure Vertical Blinds

You may have made the decision that it's best to replace the whole lot and buy new vertical blinds. Maybe your old blinds are just past their best and even new slats would leave you with an old looking rail and discoloured controls. 

The good news is that vertical blinds are available for considerably little cost. You can buy made to measure blinds from as little as £12.00 and if you need more than one blind then there are some fantastic vertical blind offers in our shop. 

Hopefully this has given you an insight into what options are available to you when replacing your blinds.