Window Blinds Terminology

Rails

• Window blinds feature both a top, or head, rail, and a bottom rail. The head rail conceals the mounting and operating mechanism for the blind and supports the slats hanging below. Standard blinds consist of one blind per top rail; two-on-one or three-on-one units feature multiple sets of blinds operating independently of one another on a single top rail. Manufacturers typically weight the bottom rail so the blinds hang correctly. End caps may be installed at the edges of either of these rails to conceal the inner components and create a clean, finished look.

Slats

• Operational slats on window blinds tilt to control the amount of light allowed into the room and close completely to keep light out as desired. Made from metal, wood or vinyl, these slats typically feature small route holes, which are used to lift and lower the blinds via an integral cord. Special routeless slats are free of these holes and instead feature small grooves along the edges to grip an operating cord. Routeless slats also help block light more effectively than standard slats and can be completely removed for thorough cleaning as needed.

Pull Cords and Chains

• Bead chains or cords are used to lift and lower blinds. Pull cords consist of nylon, polyester or cotton while chains are made from tiny, interlocked beads of metal or plastic. Standard blind cords and chains feature a cord lock to hold the cord in place when the blinds are raised; continuous cords hold the blinds without the need for a cord lock. Cord cleats hang on the wall near the windows and can be used to wrap the cords to keep them from pooling on the floor or getting tangled, which can be a safety hazard if you have small children or pets. Many cords and chains end in a decorative tassel, which can be constructed from wood, metal or plastic.

Brackets

• Most blinds are fixed to the wall using a rectangular case called a bracket box. The top rail of the blind fits inside the bracket box, and end brackets hold the box to the wall and conceal the inside of the box from view. A center bracket may be required to support blinds that are very wide or oversize. Inside-mount bracket boxes are designed to fit flush within the window opening, and outside-mount bracket boxes are designed to straddle the window opening and extend past both edges of the window A decorative element called a valance may be used to cover the front of the bracket box.

Ladders

• A ladder is a braided strand of polyester, nylon or cotton that fits through the route holes in each slat to lift and lower the blinds. Basic blinds feature simple ladders while specialty blinds may feature upgraded ladder designs made from cloth tape. These strips of fabric may replace the ladder or simply cover it up to give the blinds a customized look. Cloth tape also helps to block the route holes to reduce unwanted light in a room.