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- Skip to 'What are Venetian blinds?'
- Skip to 'Where are Venetian blinds from?'
- Skip to 'What are the benefits of Venetian blinds?'
- Skip to 'What is the difference between Ladder Tape and Ladder String??'
- Skip to 'What is a Common Fascia?'
- Skip to 'What are the different types of Venetian blinds?'
- Skip to 'Why are Venetian blinds popular?'
- Skip to 'Do Venetian blinds provide priivacy?'
- Skip to 'Are Ventian blinds practical?'
- Skip to 'Are Venetian blinds hard to maintain?'
- Skip to 'Shop Venetian blinds.'
What are Venetian blinds?
Venetian blinds are one of the most popular blinds on the market and consist of horizontal slats of either wood, aluminium or PVC that are raised or lowered by string running vertically through the slats. These slats can raise or lower in unison to let light in or block it out. The slats can also swivel up to 180 degrees to further control the light and privacy. By closing off the slats so they sit vertical, the light can mostly be blocked out. Opening the slats so they sit horizontal, will let the light in. The amount of light or privacy you experience will depend on how many degrees the slats have swivelled in either direction. The slats can be swivelled to be fully closed, completely open or anywhere in between. Tilt the blades down to block the sun but still see out. Tilt the blades up to let in light but give privacy from anything directly outside your window or door.
Where are Venetian blinds from?
There are various speculations as to where Venetian blinds are thought to originate from - some say Southwest Asia and some even believe they originate all the way back to Ancient Egypt where horizontal slats were woven for sun protection out of reeds. However, their namesake came from Italy and growing international trade with Italy allowed for these blinds to be rebranded Venetian blinds and introduced to the world in the 18th century.
Interestingly, the American artist Edmund Charles Tarbell depicted the Venetian blind in this painting aptly named 'The Ventian Blind' in 1898.
What are the benefits of Venetian blinds?
There are many benefits to having Venetian blinds in your home, they are:
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Very durable window furnishings that stand the test of time
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Versatile and can be located in both wet and dry areas of your home and various different types of windows and decor
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Have a similar aesthetic appeal to Plantation Shutters but are more affordable
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Allow you to have a high level of control over your light and privacy
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Are easily installed and operated
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Are not made of fabric and therefore do not accumulate dust and dust mites
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Are easy to clean and maintain by wiping down each slat with a damp cloth
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Help insulate your room and save of energy bills
What is the difference between Ladder Tape and Ladder String?
Ladder String or Ladder tape allows each Venetian blind slat to rotate and lift in unison. The string/tape itself is referred to the ladder that each slat sits upon. Ladder String comes standard on Blinds on the Net Venetian blinds. Woven Ladder Tape, often referred to as Cloth Tape is a decorative tape that also allows each Venetian blind slat to move in unison. It runs vertically from top to bottom and increases the privacy while reducing the additional light seeping through the punch holes of the Ladder String by blocking them on the front and back of the blind.
The majority of Woven Ladder Tapes come in solid colours and people often match the colours to the colour of their blind slats. However, you can create a real statement by choosing a tape that has a contrasting colour. Different blinds also come with various width options for the Woven Ladder Tape. For example, you can choose a 25mm Woven Ladder Tape for our 60mm Premium Cedar Venetian blinds, however, if you opt for one of our 50mm Visionwood PVC Venetian blinds you would have the choice of 16mm, 25mm or 38mm Woven Ladder Tape. Woven Ladder Tape is an added option and usually comes at an additional surcharge.
What is a Common Fascia?
When choosing your Venetian blinds (excluding Aluminium Venetian blinds), you can opt to add a Common Fascia. A Fascia conceals the Venetian blinds front and top of the mounting hardware and the inner workings of the blind. A Common Fascia is a Fascia that runs across multiple blinds allowing for a more streamlined and coordinated look of multiple Venetian blinds located in one line on the same window. The maximum common fascia width is 3m. Some products may only go up to 2.7m. If this is the case, we will call and advise following receipt of your order.
What are the different types of Venetian blinds?
Timber Venetian blinds | Wooden Venetian blinds
Timber Venetian blinds, otherwise known as Wooden Venetian blinds provide a classic natural look to your blinds. They often come at a higher price point due to the quality Timber used such as premium and sustainably grown Cedar. Timber Venetians are popular in Australia due to the lightweight nature of Timber, ensuring easy lifting and tilting of the slats. They are also popular thanks to the innate insulating ability of Timber and its ability to withstand the harsh Australian climate. Blinds on the Net also offer custom stained and custom painted Timber Venetian blinds thanks to the blinds being locally manufactured and having access to paint colours available on the Australian market. Simply state the paint brand and name when customising your order and Blinds on the Net will be able to source and custom paint your Premium Cedar Venetian blinds to the exact colour you want. If you are looking to add Venetian blinds to your wet areas such as your bathroom, we recommend only using Premium Cedar . The other Timber options are probably not your best option. Condensation can pool on the slats and can cause them to warp over time. Aluminium or PVC blinds would be better suited to these environments.
Blinds on the Net offer 46mm, 50mm, 60mm and 63mm Timber Venetians blinds.
PVC Venetian blinds | Faux Wood Venetian blinds
PVC Venetian blinds, otherwise known as Faux Wood Venetian blinds are a great alternative to Timber Venetian blinds. PVC Venetian blinds are durable and have a high heat deflection temperature making them perfect to withstand the heat in Australia’s warmer areas and during the hot Summer months. They have a similar aesthetic to Timber Venetian blinds but they are water resistant, making them better suited to wet areas such as bathrooms and laundries. They are also super durable and resistant to scratches, warping and cracking. In addition to this, PVC Faux Wood Venetians are sold at a lower pricepoint than their more expensive counterparts, Timber Venetians, thus making them more desirable for those on a tighter budget.
Blinds on the Net offer 50mm and 63mm PVC Faux Wood Venetian blinds.
Aluminium Venetian blinds
Aluminium Venetian blinds are the most budget friendly style of Venetian for those looking for blinds at the lowest cost. They are incredibly versatile, durable and will also withstand the harsh Australian climate. As with PVC they work well in wet areas such as bathrooms and laundries due to their ability to resist water. They are also commonly used in caravans, holiday cabins and offices. Available with 25mm blades, they are also perfect for people with narrow window reveals.
Blinds on the Net offer Aluminium Venetian blinds with slimline 25mm and 50mm blades.
Why are Venetian blinds popular?
Venetian blinds offer a classic design that has lasted in popularity through the decades. Most likely due to their versatility, durability and ability to suit many different decors. Their ability to give you control over both light and privacy also ensures they continue to be popular in Australia.
A room's perceived size can be impacted by the way in which plantation shutters are used or the design and style of the Shutters. The presence of Plantation Shutters in a room can make it look smaller to some people, while larger and more spacious to others.
Shutters with large, wide blades, for example, can make a room appear spacious and open by creating the illusion of height and width. As a result, more light enters the room, giving the impression of depth and space. Conversely, using shutters with small blades or heavy, bulky frames will tend to make a room look smaller and cluttered.
Do Venetian blinds provide privacy?
Venetian blinds offer good privacy with the ability to control light. If you tilt the slats up, you can get privacy from prying eyes while still letting the light in. If you tilt the blades down, you can get a good view outside and privacy, while blocking out the light or sun outside. If you add Woven Tape ladder, this will also increase your ability to gain total privacy by covering the routing holes.
Are Venetian blinds practical?
Venetian blinds are very practical for both commercial and residential applications. They are durable, versatile and have good control over privacy and light. Depending on the material used, they can have practical applications in wet areas such as bathrooms and laundries, as well as main living areas such as living rooms and kitchens etc. They can also be used in Caravans and on windows with narrow window reveals, making them incredibly practical for use across a whole home or commercial premises.
Are Venetian blinds hard to maintain?
Venetian blinds are not hard to maintain and are in fact very easy to clean and keep in good condition. To maintain your Venetian blinds, all you need to do is to wipe them with a damp cloth.
We're here to help.
If you would like expert help with planning, measuring, installing or servicing your window furnishings, feel free to book a one-on-one zoom consultation, or contact us via email or freecall 1300 852 912.