Window blind - Definition and Overview

WindowBlinds is also the name of desktop theming software produced by a company called Stardock.

A window blind is a covering for a window, usually attached to the interior side of a window. It simply refers to some device to hide from sight (thus "blind"ing the viewer) or to reduce sunlight. There are several kinds of blinds, including:

• Slat blinds, which consist of many horizontal, flat slats, usually of metal or vinyl, connected with string in a way that they can be rotated to allow light to pass between the slats, rotated 90 degrees to hide the light, or pulled to sit against each other so that the entire window is clear. The rotation of the blinds is achieved by rotating a connector attached to the strings or by pulling a cord; the raising and lowering of the blinds is achieved by pulling a different string. Such blinds include:
  • Venetian blinds, the original basic slatted blind made of metal or plastic; wooden slats are sometimes used but these are usually referred to as wood blinds. Venetian blinds were introduced around 1770, possibly in Venice, Italy.
  • Miniblinds, Venetian blinds with very narrow slats.
  • Vertical blinds, or track blinds, consisting of slats of stiffened fabric, plastic, or metal hanging by one end from a track; like the horizonatal versions, the slats can be rotated 90 degrees to allow light to pass through or to fold up on one side of a door or window.

• Solid blinds, which either roll up or fold up but cannot be opened in place to allow light through. These are also often referred to as window shades. Such blinds include:
  • Holland blinds, or roller shades, which are pull-down rolling window blinds.
  • Woven-wood blinds, which are slats of decorative wood, bamboo, or other natural material woven together with simple string, colored yarn, or other decorative material to make a nearly solid blind; these either roll up out of the way or fold up out of the way.
  • Pleated shades, which are pleated fabric shades that pull up to sit flat at the top of a window
  • Honeycomb shades, or cellular shades, which are similar to pleated shades except that there are two or more layers joined at the pleats to form compartments that trap air, providing insulation.
  • Roman shades, made of fabric or woven wood, that pull up by having each section of the shade fold behind a higher section.

Example Usage of Window