When to replace your blinds?
Your window blinds will last at least seven to eight years on average, and more than a decade if they are made of wood or aluminium. You might wish to consider replacing their blinds even sooner than that.
The blinds in your home may become hazardous and unattractive if they are old and worn out. There are a few telltale symptoms that your blinds are ready for retirement and replacement.
When to Replace Blinds in your Home
Damaged or worn-our slats
Heat damage to faux wood blinds and humidity damage to wood blinds can both cause the slats to warp and bend out of shape. Aluminium micro blinds are easily bent by pets and children. You can tell your blinds are broken because they won’t raise properly, and the slats will seem crooked. If numerous slats are warped, it’s time to replace the whole thing.
Faded colour and design
Blinds of any kind, whether made of fabric or slats, fade over time. It’s to be expected, given how much time they spend in direct sunshine, though newer blinds do a better job of blocking off the sun’s rays. If you or a family member is a smoker, there is also a potential that the blinds will yellow with time. It’s not uncommon for blinds to fade in the kitchen, where the blinds are subjected to more moisture and sunlight. Newer models with better UV protection will serve you well when it comes time to replace your current set.
Difficult to operate
There could be two major problems if raising your blinds requires a lot of effort or if they won’t move at all. Your blinds’ lifting mechanisms may be worn out to the point of breaking, or they may be too wide for the cords and mechanisms to hold up. If given enough force, blinds that are difficult to raise are a warning indicator of a potentially hazardous situation. In the interest of your family’s safety, you should get new ones right away.
Frayed edges and / or cords
If the sides of your roller shades, solar shades or roman shades are frayed, this is a sign that they are too broad for your window opening and are scraping along the side of the frame. Replace your shades if they are frayed or ripped because the tight fit will only cause further damage and may even scrape your window frames.
Replace your blinds if you see the cords are frayed. Your blinds are either very old and the wear and tear have finally caught up with them, or the internal mechanisms are wearing out the cord.
The blinds don’t close tightly
Slats that don’t close as firmly or that move very little when twisted are a sign that the mechanism’s time has come to an end. It’s not always easy to repair this part without also re-cording the entire blind. If this is a problem, it’s best to get a new unit.
Style and Aesthetic Considerations
The blinds that were there when you moved in may no longer serve their intended purpose if you’ve decided to utilise a room for anything other than what they were originally intended for, such as a home office. You could be wasting a lot of money on wasted energy if you have the improper blinds and aren’t making the most of your living space.
Also, just because your blinds or shades appear to be in good shape doesn’t imply they’re up to the task at hand. Are your blinds doing what you need them to do? Do they provide you with the privacy you require? Will you be comfortable in both the winter and summer with them? Is there a glare on the TV? To better fulfil your needs, you may want to consider replacing your blinds with a higher quality model and giving your old ones to a charity.
Are the blinds still in style? When did you first move into your current house? Have you kept the large, heavy vinyl roller shades from the 1960s? How about those floral print blinds popular in the previous century? Old window treatments not only give your home a rundown appearance, but they also pose a safety risk. By harmonising window dressings with the overall design scheme, you may draw attention to the furnishings, artwork, and wall colour in each room. Premier stained basswood blinds, bamboo designs, and faux wood coverings in shades including cherry, acorn, and butternut are ideal for contemporary dining and lounging areas. Fabric verticals, classic privacy blinds, and cellular blinds are all great options for achieving a classic aesthetic.
New windows
If you’ve just installed new windows as part of an energy efficiency improvement or as part of an expansion project, you may find that your old blinds no longer fit the new window frames. It’s a great time to upgrade to something more modern, like top-down/bottom-up shades or gorgeous fabric roman shades.
Blinds4U offers blinds for sale in various locations in South Africa. Get in touch with a consultant today.
