Comprised of vertical or horizontal slats and suspended by cords, Venetian blinds are a super common window treatment seen in homes and offices today. While available in a variety of materials, aluminium blinds are gradually gaining more traction with new and upgraded versions continually hitting the market.
But what exactly makes these blinds appealing? And by the same token, what are their potential drawbacks?
Whether you’re looking at installing aluminium Venetian blinds in Newcastle for your family home, or a set of these window treatments for your beach house on the Gold Coast, the following list can help you decide if this is the right option for you.
Pros:
- One of the most common reasons people invest in aluminium blinds is because they’re easy on the pocket compared to other window treatments. Economically, they’re comparable to vinyl and plastic window shades, but with a much classier finish. This makes them a great solution for large windows.
- Unlike timber window treatments, aluminium is ideal for withstanding its environment. These blinds won’t rot, rust, deform or lose colour over time, hence they’re ideal for rooms with higher moisture levels such as kitchens and bathrooms.
- Versatile. The malleability of the metal means aluminium blinds are generally available in a wide range of designs and styles. They can be easily cut and styled for awkward windows, as well as customised with a decent coat of paint to match your interiors. In addition, you can easily control the level of privacy and light by adjusting the angle of the slats accordingly.
- If you’re going for a modern aesthetic, aluminium blinds are the perfect complement for your windows. They work to add a streamlined and contemporary feel to your space, which is why many office buildings install these types of window treatments.
Cons:
- Lower insulation. As metal is a natural conductor for heat and cold, aluminium blinds don’t offer the same levels of insulation as other window treatments.
- Higher maintenance. Where a window treatment such as a roller blind only requires one manual sweep with a vacuum, blinds require each slat to be individually cleaned. While this theoretically shouldn’t add too much extra time to the process, you may find it a little cumbersome. However, there are benefits to these maintenance requirements: you can tackle both sides of the blinds at once by simply reversing the direction of the slats – a nifty advantage that you don’t get with roller blinds or curtains.
- Incomplete light blockage. Despite the major advantages of being able to manually manipulate how much light streams into your space, these blinds do not offer complete black-outs. When closed, a small amount of light will still filter through slightly, hence they’re best-suited for living rooms or study spaces as opposed to the bedroom.
- Reduced safety. Given their metal edges, aluminimum Venetian blinds come with the minor risk of scraping or cutting oneself. This should be kept in mind when you make home improvement if you have children or pets.
