Window Blinds & Shades - Glossary of Terms

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

Pinafore Shade - A pleated window shade with a contrasting layer of fabric under a layer of lace.

Pleated Shades - Shades made with sheets of fabric that have evenly spaced horizontal pleats.

Porch Roll-up - A bamboo shade or woven wood blind that forms a roll at the bottom when raised.

Projection - The distance that a window covering extends into a room. This is measured from the attachment surface.

Ramin Wood - Commonly used for value-priced wood blinds, this is a less expensive wood than basswood.

Reverse Roll - An option for roller shades where instead of the standard rolling on the side closest to the window, the shade rolls off the headrail.

Reverse Stack - An option for vertical blinds when the blinds stack on the opposite side of the controls.

Roller Shades - A shade made of a flat panel of vinyl or fabric attached to a spring loaded roll.

Roman Fold - The style of fold that a shade creates when raised. This can be flat, cascade or teardrop.

Roman Shades - A window shade that raises from the bottom, folding.

Route Holes - Small holes on standard slats that the braided ladders run through.

Routeless - Blinds that have off-set holes or small notches, providing increased privacy and light control.

Semi-Opaque - A light filtering style of material. Doesn't block as much light as Opaque material, still letting some light in.

Semi-Sheer - A woven fabric that filters in a small amount of light, providing soft lighting.

Sheer - A woven fabric that filters out harsh light without obstructing your view.

Slat - Individual lengths of material that make up horizontal blinds.

Split Stack - Vertical window blinds that split down the middle, opening evenly to the left and right.

Stack - When the blinds are open, this is the area or pile of slats.

Stack Height - This is the amount of space the the stack takes up when the blinds are opened.

Tapes - See cloth tapes.

Tilt - The control, usually a cord or wand that controls the slant of the blind's slats when closed.

Top-Down - A window blind or shade that opens from the top down, differing from the standard 'bottom-up' opening.