Selecting Among Different Fabrics For Vertical Blind

Since the early 1980's, vertical blinds have been a very popular way to dress windows and doors in the US. Because of their functionality and because vertical blind louvers freely hang from their track mechanism, these louvers can be fabricated from different types of materials such as fabrics, screens or rigid PVC. In the early days of vertical blinds. louvers were interconnected via a clip and chain in the case of fabric or screen materials or via a #6 chain which connected the PVC louvers through a keyhole punch in the vanes. As the product evolved over the years, this “interconnecting” has been discontinued as unnecessary and perhaps unsightly.

Due to the fact, as previously mentioned, that vertical blind louvers are always free hanging and able to sway, noise is a factor to be considered whenever a purchasing decision is being made. If vertical blinds fabricated of PVC are used to block light or control radiant heat from entering a room, the consumer must remember that PVC louvers swaying against one another will create a bothersome sound which may prevent you from a good night's sleep if moved by the moving force of air from your air conditioning vent.

Due to these concerns with vertical blinds with PVC louvers, vertical blinds with fabric louvers are not only an excellent choice but their popularity has proven that this benefit is desired by many consumers. Additionally, fabric vertical blinds are available in hundreds of patterns and colors not available in PVC. Consumers should also be aware of the different quality levels of fabric louvers which will ultimately affect the way they hang, longevity, translucency factors and the ease of cleaning. High quality fabrics will always hang straight, last many years and can be easily cleaned with soapy water and damped dry projecting a sharp appearance regardless of their age.

Most of the vertical blind fabric louvers are manufactured using two basis methods which are weaving and stitch bonding. These two types of fabrics are very different in feel and appearance and I will elaborate on the difference in the following paragraphs.

Stitch bonded fabrics are manufactured in a process with fibers which are compressed and then stitched through. Sometimes the stitching, which is there in part to hold the material together, is designed in a certain style in order to create a pattern. These patterns are usually linear, running the length of the fabric. Stitch bonded fabrics, for those who may not know are often used as curtain liners in draperies, and while these materials usually are not as heavy as the type used in vertical blinds, they do reflect the way the fabric is manufactured. They are usually much lower in cost than woven fabric vertical blinds.

Conversely, woven fabrics are traditionally manufactured using high-end, fast weaving equipment which presses one thread down while inserting the next thread into place at very high rates of speed and with great accuracy. This process enhances the durability of the fabric over time thus the reason why it is used to manufacture fabric clothing of all types. One of the additional benefits of this process is the production of many of many more styles and patterns when compared to stitch bonding. Regarding vertical blinds, woven fabrics, albeit more expensive, do project a finer appearance and will look “new” much longer that stitch bonded fabrics.

Based on the aforementioned facts, you can now make a right decision when choosing vertical blind fabric louvers. The less expensive stitch bond with a limited selection of patterns and colors or the richer looking woven fabric, albeit more expensive, with a larger selection of patterns, colors and styles. Your decision will affect the appearance of the specific space for years to come and a little higher initial cost may make a big difference. Invest wisely in your vertical blinds.