Window Blinds & Shades - Glossary of Terms

A-E :: F-J :: K-O :: P-T :: U-Z

Allowance - The amount of the blind or shade that taken off in order to be installed as an inside mount.

Aluminum Blinds - Commonly referred to as micro blinds, mini blinds or macro blinds. Created from 0.6 to 0.9 gauge aluminum, these horizontal blinds can be raised and lowered. The sturdiest gauge is 0.9, price varies with the quality of materials used.

Bamboo Shades - Also known as Woven Shades or woven woods, these blinds are made of bamboo, jutes or reeds. These window coverings usually can be lined as an option to provide greater privacy.

Basswood - A common type of wood for horizontal blinds because of it's lightweight and fine grain.

Blackout - Ideal for bedrooms, media rooms or children's rooms, blackout blinds and shades block out the majority of outside light. Fabric that is blackout rated can block outside light up to 99%.

Blackout Liner - A polyester backing that is optional on pleated shades and woven shades. This backing on shades can provide increased privacy and block 100% of outside light.

Bottom-up/Top-down - A standard shade that lowers from the top down combined with a shade that raises from the bottom up. Two sets of cords are used so that the shade can be lowered or raised either separately or at the same time.

Bracket - The metal or plastic piece that is used to attach the head rail of the blind or shade to the door or window frame.

Braided Ladders - The strings threaded through the slats of horizontal blinds used to tilt and hold the slats.

Cafe Blind or Shutter - A blind or shutter that only covers the lower portion of the window. These are often seen in kitchens.

Cassette - A design that covers the lifting system and roll of fabric on Hunter Douglas roller shades. This curved cover matches the fabric of the shade to create a clean appearance.

Ceiling Mount - Used for vertical blinds, these are brackets specially designed to attach the blind to the ceiling. Thus eliminating the gap between the ceiling and top of the blind.

Cellular Shades - Window shades that are made of two or more layers of fabric. The fabric is pleated and connected in a way to form air pockets. These air pockets are ideal for providing insulation, these shades are available in single cell, double cell or triple cell.

Center Tilt - Common on smaller blinds, the tilt of the blind is controlled from the center.

Chain Tilt Control - Used on vertical blinds, this is the metal link chain designed to control the vane's angle.

Cleats - Small hooks that can be used to keep extra cording out of the way.

Cloth Tapes - Used to replace braided ladders, these pieces of cloth run the length of the horizontal blind to keep the slats in place. Commonly available for wood, aluminum and faux wood blinds these cloth tapes are usually available in a number of matching colors or patterns.

Composite Blind - Horizontal blinds that are crafted from a combination of thermal polymer materials and hardwood. These are very durable window blinds.

Concealed Bracket - A bracket that is not visible after the shade or blind has been installed.

Continuous Cord Loop - An lift mechanism that has one continuous looped cord that raises and lowers blinds or shades. This is recommended for large shades.

Controls - Controls can be in the form of a chain, cord or wand. This is what is used to raise, lower and tilt window blinds and shades.

Cord Tilter Control - A cord pulley system used to open, close and tilt blinds or shades.

Cordless - A common option for horizontal blinds and shades. The blind is controlled by pulling or pushing the bottom rail tab, this provides the option of no exposed controls.

Cornice - Usually made from wood, this is a covering for the top of blinds, shades or drapes.

Day-Night Shade - One blind that consists of two different fabrics, commonly one is for filtering light and the other for room darkening.

De-Light Feature - Specific to Hunter Douglas, this feature off-sets the rout holes that the braided ladders run through on horizontal blinds. This Blocks out more outside light.

Depth - The space required at the top of the window to install an inside mount blind. This is measured from the back of the window opening to the front.

Double Cellular Shade - Also referred to as a double honeycomb shade, this is a cellular shade with two rows of air pockets between the front and back fabric.

Dust Shield - A Hunter Douglas feature where the slats on aluminum blinds have a paint coating that is anti-static, helping to prevent dust build-up.

EasyGlide - Designed for large sized shades, this is a Hunter Douglas option that uses a continuous looped cord to open and close the shade.

Eclipse - Refer to Blackout.

Extension Brackets - Optional brackets that provide a greater space between the blind or shade and mounting surface.