Mini Blinds
Mini blinds combine affordability with modern design. Aluminum mini blinds come in a variety of sizes that fit most standard windows. Although these blinds are not as durable or versatile as other alternatives, they do provide clean styles as a modest price.
Mini Blinds come in a wide variety of colors that can match any room or décor. They offer moderate light control but still provide plenty of privacy and come in four basic slat sizes:
- 1" Mini blinds are the most popular slat width and come in a variety of aluminum gauges.
- 1 3/8" Mini blinds provide a clearer view than the 1" blinds but are lighter and easier to adjust than the 2" mini blinds.
- 2" Mini blinds, also known as Macro Aluminum blinds, add more elegance and can closely resemble the look of 2" wood blinds without the cost.
- ½" Micro blinds are great for thinner window frames such as those on glass doors where the handle might interfere with the blinds.
Mini Blinds come in 6, 8, and 9-gauge aluminum: The higher the aluminum gauge, the stronger the slat. This means that higher gauge aluminum is less likely to become permanently bent or damaged from use. Although mini blinds are very easy to clean and maintain, you do need to consider which gauge would best fit for the use of the room.
There are five major options to consider when purchasing mini blinds
- Cordless – this mini blind feature is best for rooms or homes with young children and pets. Since mini blinds are relatively lightweight, the cordless option allows you to lift and close your blinds with little effort using your hands. This option also eliminates unsightly and dangerous cords that normally dangle.
- Routless – Routs are tiny holes through which the cord passes in order to control the blinds. Routless mini blinds, also known as de-Light (by Hunter Douglas), and NoHoles (by Graber), eliminate the holes by passing the cord through the edges of the slat rather than the middle. This option helps control light when the blinds are closed.
- Cloth Tapes – Like the Routless feature, cloth tapes hide the light that peeks through the rout holes. They can also provide a finished, personalized look to mini blinds.
- Perforated Slats – Perforated slats have holes throughout each slat. They help diffuse light when the mini blinds are closed, reducing glare and allowing you preserve your view outside.
- Colored Slats that are White to the Street – Mini Blinds come in a wide variety of colors but they can also come with a white underside to the slats. This means that when you close the blinds, the colored side faces in while the white side faces out. These are perfect for homes and apartments with aesthetic regulations in the community.
- Bali
- Hunter Douglas
- Levolor
- Graber