Glossary On Blinds And Shades
Blinds and Shades
Learn about the different terms on blinds and shades with our glossary. Discover the different features on our blinds and shades. View our window treatments that meet healthcare and commercial codes.
Finish the edge of your woven wood shades with fabric banding. Banding fabrics are available in a wide array of colors to match your decor.
A chain attaches to the bottom of vertical blinds to weigh down the vanes and ensure smooth operation. It also gives the blinds a uniform appearance.
Honeycomb shades are available in single, double and triple cells. The greater the number of cells, the greater the insulation against heat and cold.
Cell size is the individual dimensions of the cell. Larger cell sizes are recommended for large windows.
A chain is used to draw open and close your vertical blinds. A cord is used to rotate the vanes to allow or block light.
A cleat is attached to your window frame or wall next to your window treatment. When the blinds are drawn up, the cord can be wrapped around the cleat to prevent dangling cords.
The continuous cord lift control forms one continuous loop. To open and close your blinds, continue to pull on the front or back of the cord.
A cord is used to draw open and close your vertical blinds. A chain is used to rotate the vanes to allow or block light.
A cord is used to draw open and close your vertical blinds. A remote control is used to rotate the vanes to allow or block light.
A cord is used to raise and lower your blinds. A second cord controls the slats to allow or block light.
A cord is used to raise and lower your blinds. A twist of the wand controls the slats to allow or block light.
A cord is used to raise and lower your blinds.
A cord controls the slats to allow or block light.
Adjust the amount of sunlight with the pull of a cord or twist of a wand.
Your blinds or shades are raised and lowered using your fingertips. Cordless is considered the safest choice if you have pets or small children in your home. Dangling cords are a potential choking hazard.
These lift directions let you choose between lifting either the top, the bottom or both the top and bottom of the shade – giving you the best of all worlds. The shades are raised and lowered using your fingertips.
A cornice is simply a window treatment that is installed onto a lined wooden board. Cornices generally feature padded and upholstered sections
Choose the length of your cord. Standard cord length is 2/3 the length of the shade.
A decorative hem adds a designer touch to your window treatment and the rooms decor
Add a touch of charm with a decorative pull to coordinate with the rooms style.
Each individual wood slat has rounded edges on both sides, lending a softer, more finished look to your wood blind.
Add a touch of color and coordinate your blinds with your drapes, upholstered furniture or wall color. A thin strip of decorative fabric hides the ladder strings and helps to block light when the slats are closed.
It is important to accurately measure the depth of your window casing when installing your window treatment inside the window casing. The depth can be any flat surface area large enough to hold the mounting brackets. See our Measure tutorial for minimum depth requirements.
The edge of the fabric is finished similar to a professional curtain hem.
Draw control is the mechanism used on your vertical blinds and sheer shadings to open and close your window treatment. Tilt controls the amount of light allowed into the room.
Energy Shield is a coating that maximizes window insulation to save on energy bills. Levolor exclusive technology provides additional insulation to help block air flow through the shade and reduces heating and cooling costs year round. It insulates while allowing natural, filtered light. Available on Designer Colors and Designer Textures in select colors.
May specify a valance greater than the ordered headrail width.
Select extension brackets if you plan to install the headrail above the window molding to project out from the window and wall to clear any obstacles.
The extension pole allows you to raise and lower shades in hard to reach places.
Simply press the button on the remote control to adjust the slats. If ordering more than one motorized blind, please note that one remote control will operate all your motorized blinds.
The gauge is the thickness of the aluminum slat. An 8-gauge slat is thicker and stronger than a 6-gauge slat.
Groover inserts are the plastic or vinyl sleeves that hold the vanes. This option is available with vertical blinds.
A headrail houses the mechanics of your window treatment. Typically, a wood or fabric valance is used to hide the headrail.
Height is the measurement in inches of your blind, shade or window from top to bottom.
If you plan to install your window treatment to a door or a window that has wind exposure, select hold down brackets.
There are two types of inside mount options: regular and flush. A window treatment installed using regular inside mount means the window treatment sits inside the window casing, but the headrail does not. A window treatment installed using the flush mount method means the entire window treatment, including the headrail, sits inside the window casing. This type of mount usually requires a very deep window casing. See our Measure tutorial to ensure that your window casing meets the minimum depth requirement.
Lift control is the mechanism used to lower and raise your window treatments.
LightMaster enhances privacy and room darkening by eliminating rout holes. A no rout hole design creates maximum light control for increased room darkening and increases privacy by preventing outside see through. Available in Premium Real Wood, NuWood Composite and Visions Faux Wood Blinds. LightMaster not available on 1″ slat size.
Maximum room darkening fabric is ideal for bedrooms and nurseries. Blackout fabric blocks out the most sunlight.
A remote control is used to open and close your window treatments.
A remote control is used to rotate the slats to allow or block light.
Moulding is the decorative wood surrounding your window frame. Moulding should be considered when measuring your windows. Do you want to show off or cover up your window moulding? Choose inside mount if you would like to show off the moulding.
There are two basic types of mount options: inside mount and outside mount. The mount type you choose is based on your preference or your window casing limitations.
There are two types of inside mount options: regular and flush. A window treatment installed using regular inside mount means the window treatment sits inside the window casing, but the headrail does not. A window treatment installed using the flush mount method means the entire window treatment, including the headrail, sits inside the window casing. Flush mount usually requires a very deep window casing. See our Measure tutorial to ensure that your window casing meets the minimum depth requirement.
When you select outside mount, the window treatment will be installed above the window opening and mounted to the wall or moulding.
Select mounting brackets if you plan to install the headrail above the window molding to extend out from the window and wall to clear any obstacles.
The wand is used to draw open and closed vertical blinds, and rotate the vanes.
When you select outside mount, the window treatment will be installed above the window opening and mounted to the wall or moulding.
A detailed edge adds a designer touch to your window and the room decor. The overlay hem sits on top of the standard hem and is available in a wide variety of hem styles, trims and trim colors.
For greater privacy control, select the liner option on select shades.
Select projection brackets if you plan to install the headrail above the window molding to extend out from the window and wall to clear any obstacles.
Order replacement panels for a new look, accents, special occasions or to replace damaged panels.
May request a replacement valance or order an additional valance to coordinate valance profiles between rooms.
This retractable cord stays the same length as you raise or lower your shades. Instead of a traditional cord, the retractable cord uses special lift tapes that wind and unwind as the shade is raised and lowered.
The fabric rolls off the front of the roller. The default roll direction is the standard roll, where the fabric rolls off the back of the roller.
Routed slats have small grooves that house the cords of the window treatment. A small amount of light will shine through the grooves.
These slats are specially designed to not allow light to seep through the route grooves.
Add detail to the valance and/or skirt(bottom) of your shade. Choose a scallop style and trim color.
Sheer shadings are available both as horizontal and vertical shadings. Sheer pieces of fabric are connected in the middle to create “slats.” When open, sheer shadings diffuse light. When closed, sheer shadings partially block the light.
Alternative mounting method when no frame is available above the window for mounting. For inside mount only.
Slat size is the height of the individual slat. When tilted open, larger slats allow you to view more of the outside than smaller slats.
Slats can be constructed of wood, faux wood (a composite of man-made materials), aluminum or vinyl. When tilted closed, slats help to block sunlight and offer privacy.
Select spacer blocks if you plan to install the headrail above the window molding. Spacers are used with outside mounts only. They add an extra 1/2″ of depth to the headrail for additional room between the mounting surface and the blind.
When the blinds are drawn open, the vanes will “stack” on the left, right, in the center or evenly on both sides.
Finish the edge of your woven wood shades with a tailored edge. Tailored edge fabrics are available in a wide array of colors to match your decor.
Tilt control is the mechanism used to rotate the slats or vanes of your window treatment. The tilt controls the amount of light into the room.
If your bedroom faces the street, consider a top-down lift control. The top of the shade can be lowered to allow for sunlight, but still maintain your privacy.
Experience the best of both worlds with a top-down/bottom-up lift control. The top of the shade can be lowered to allow for sunlight, but still maintain your privacy. The bottom of the shade can be raised like a traditional shade.
All of our blinds and shades protect against the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun, which can damage your furniture and decor. Our blinds and shades will block 75% to 99% of UV-rays.
The valance sits above the window treatment to hide the headrail and completes the look.
Valance returns will finish the sides of your valance.
Vanes can be constructed of fabric, vinyl and wood. Vanes are available with vertical blinds. When tilted closed, vanes help to block sunlight and offer privacy.
Adjust the lighting or amount of privacy with the twist of a wand. In some cases, you may choose the length of the wand.
Width is the measurement in inches of your blind, shade or window from left to right.
Cubicle Curtains
Framed Cubicle Curtain
French Folds
French Seam
Disposable Curtain Grommets
Reusable Curtain Grommets
Grommets Spacing
Modular Panel System
Non-Railroaded Fabric
Railroaded Fabric
Snap on curtains
Standard Mesh on Cubicle Curtains (Unframed)
Drapery
Apron Height
Basic Curtain Rod
Basic Traverse Rod
A rod or wand used to hand draw traverse draperies
Blackout
Stiff material used to make a drapery heading. 4″ height is common. Also called crinoline.
Butt Master Carrier
This is simply a panel that covers the bottom of the window (usually the bottom half).
Fabric angled at the bottom and hanging at each side of a valance. Also called jabot.
Decorative Rod without Rings
Decorative Traverse Rod
Euro Hem
European Pinch Pleat
Extra Long Puddle Length
Floor Length
Goblet Pinch Pleat
Grommet Draperies
Overlap Master Carrier
Pinch Pleat
Ring top drapery & Decorative rod with rings
RippleFold
Rod Pocket Drapery
Sill Length
Standard Hem
Standard Pinch Pleat
Stationary Panels
Tab top drapery & Decorative rod without rings
Tie Top Drapery decorative rod without rings
To the Floor
Wall to Wall Ceiling to Floor
Window Sill
