Window draping varieties

What are the alternative window covering other than curtains?

            Describe briefly.

Ans.                

Other than curtains, following are the alternatives for windows covering-

                       

                        1) Vertical venetian blinds.

                        2) Horizontal venetian blinds.

                        3) Chic-blinds or roll up curtains made out of sliced bamboo sticks.

                        4) Roll up curtains made out of dried grass.

                        5) Roll up curtains made out of sweet-odour herbs or coir.

           

            In vertical venetian blinds, the slats are hung vertically & slide horizontally. They have an inverted U shaped top rail, duly powder coated, & is made out of extruded  MS sections. The blinds slide horizontally when the nylon thread, hanging at one end of the track, is pulled. The blinds can be rotated by pulling the beaded garland. This beaded garland operates the rotating gear mechanism installed in the top track. The blinds or slates are made of stiff polyester + cotton fabric and are 100mm wide. The cost is about Rs. 500/Sqm.

In horizontal venetian blinds, the slats are hung horizontally and can be folded vertically by pulling a nylon thread. The slats are normally made of aluminium and are powder coated. To achieve the needed light or vision effects, slats can be rotated. This is done by rotating an Acrylic rod or an SS rod hung at one end. This rod when rotated operates the gear mechanism located in top rail. The cost of these horizontal blinds is about Rs. 500/Sqm.

            In chic-blinds, bamboo sticks are sliced and are tied together suitably by two or more threads. The sticks are of about 2 mm thick. The curtains thus made have stiffeners at top and bottom end normally of timber-sticks. These can be rolled up by a pulling thread. Chic blinds prevent vision and sunlight and allow ventilation to a considerable extent.

            Similar to Bamboo stick curtain, dried grass curtains are also made. Normally these curtains have a backing cloth. These are also of pulling up types. These days very attractive varieties are available in market.

            Like bamboo and grass curtains coir curtains and herbal curtains are also available.