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Vertical blinds have been around since before every house had electricity and indoor bathrooms! And believe it or not, styles haven’t changed much at all. They still can be found in white, narrow slats, aluminum, and two drawstrings – one for the slats and one for the height.

If adding style to a room is your main focus, you now have colors that match any decorative scheme or mood. A room done in Early American, for instance, would look great with verticals that came with matching valance in perhaps pale oak, or a wood that matches the furniture in the room itself.

Tropical and cold climates alike can benefit from having verticals installed. Simple white vertical blinds can keep a room – or entire house – cooler by reflecting the hot sunlight. The opposite is true with black or very dark window blinds; they will draw in the heat. Add some thermal backing and you can actually start to see the difference in your energy bills.

Verticals come in standard sizes that fit the usual windows and patio doors. Custom sizes can be ordered either online or at your local home stores. Depending on the size and the style you are trying to achieve, you have a choice of installing your window blinds either “inside” or “outside” the window frame. Both have pros and cons, and the blinds themselves will usually dictate your choice – some only come with one option.

Occasionally, window blinds will need to be cleaned. Some of the higher end and more expensive blinds are actually the most difficult to clean and keep clean. They are usually made of materials that can’t get very wet without being damaged, eliminating the possible use of most household spray cleaners. Spot cleaning with carpet shampoo is recommended. For heavy dirt, you might have a problem. Even professional cleaning companies have a difficult time doing this well.

Those slats attract dust and dirt and it’s not easy to get off, no matter what! The easiest ones to clean are the cheapest. The plastic and PVC materials have coatings that actually help the dust slide off – either by itself or with the help of a light weight duster. For spots or heavier all over dirt, you can spray any household cleaner on them. Let the solution drip all the way to the bottom and keep paper towels underneath to absorb the runoff. If spots remain, a soft sponge can help remove whatever stayed behind. To rinse, mix some plain water and water and spray that on; it will kill the suds and remove soap scum.

Of course, after buying the window blinds you’ll need to figure out how to get them up and working. For some of us, we can perform miracles with a hammer and a few nails. For the rest of us we need all the help we can get, and that help usually comes with having them installed by the professionals who work for the store we bought them at. Installation is frequently added as a free portion of a special sale, or with a minimum purchase of some type.

When off the shelf and ready made just aren’t what you’re looking, rest assured there are many options to get your custom blinds just the way you want them. Software now helps stores and professional decorators match everything from unique colors to intricate patterns of carpeting and wallpapers. There is no end to what you can design yourself.

Many readers may desire to find out more about vertical blinds, and may go to Jesita Jerik’s web store to choose the best window blinds for their needs and save money at the same time.