What are Child Safe Blinds?

It’s important to make sure that children are safe in our homes throughout the year. We’re used to making sure we put away things that might cause harm, sharp objects, keeping the floor clear of things that may cause them to trip and fall, but we rarely think about the windows.

Blind Cords Can Cause Accidents

If you have curtains, they cause all sorts of accidents around children, so naturally when you decide to buy blinds, you probably think they’re now safe from harm. That’s not the case though, blinds can cause accidents too, usually with the cord, and accidents have been reported in the news involving children. With this in mind then, child safety blinds are now a priority when there are children in the home. Here at Knight Shades we sell child safety blinds, blinds which are controlled in such a way that they are won’t cause any harm.

British Standards Now Insist That All Blinds Comply With Their Specifications

In 2014, it became law for internal blinds to comply with the British Standards. This means that when you buy internal blinds with the BS kite sign you know you’re purchasing something that’s safe to have around your children and give you peace of mind.

We’re going to go over some of the different types of child safety blinds you can get, take a look and if you’re thinking of investing in blinds of this type, you can see which one works best for you.

Tilt Wand Blinds

These operate with a want which will tilt the blinds to whichever angle you want them. They’re safe because there are no cords exposed which could lead to your child becoming entangled.

Draw Wand Blinds

Draw wand blinds work in the same way as the tilt wands and work best with panel and vertical blinds.

Hand Operated Blinds

These are exactly what they say – hand operated and are opened and closed by hand. They may sometimes come with tension cords which are hidden, and these will help keep them in the position you want. They have no exposed cords as with the draw and tilt wands, so they make great child safety blinds.

Blinds With Cords

You can still have blinds with cords, but they can come with what’s known as a chain-break connector, they come apart when you pull on them, but can easily be put back together. You can also have tensioners and cord tidies which also help keep the cord out of reach of children. You can choose from Roller, blackout, Venetian or wooden, and they can all have safety measures added to them.

As blinds are part of the fixtures and fittings we believe it’s always best to have them fitted professionally. This way you’re safe in the knowledge your children are safe around them. A professional can fit your blinds and make sure that all safety considerations are checked before use.

Knight Shades – A Varied Selection of Child Safe Blinds

Here at Knight Shades we have a wide selection of blinds to choose from and they all come with child safety options, so there’s no need to think you’ll be left with something boring and unattractive. Why don’t you get in touch with us here at Knight Shades and speak to one of our team and we can talk you through your options and arrange a suitable time to measure your windows.

Venetian Blinds Cleaning Tips

Today our post is going to focus on Venetian blinds and how to clean them. We all know the clear advantages of having blinds as opposed to curtains. The question is how do you clean them? The one advantage with most blinds, and especially Venetian blinds is that they’re easy enough to clean, and you don’t have to take them down to do it. However, if you have curtains or nets, then they usually have to be taken down and dry cleaned and/thrown into the washing machine.

Don’t Make it Harder Than it Needs To Be

There is a lot more horizontal surface area with Venetian blinds and there can be a few more slats, but this doesn’t mean they should be a nightmare to clean. With a little careful thought and consideration, cleaning your Venetian blinds can be a quick job you don’t have to spend too much time on.

Shut Position and Get the Gloves Ready

To begin with, if you want to make it simpler, make sure your Venetian blinds are in the shut position before you start. Put on some protective gloves, preferably a pair of gloves which are made specially to attract dust, paper towels are also good as are clothes dryer sheets. Just draw them along each slat slowly until each one has had dust and grime removed.

Vacuuming Venetian Blinds?

Yes, vacuuming the blinds is one way to clean the slats, obviously, you’ll need an upholstery attachment or you can even buy one specially for cleaning blinds. It’s important not to use too strong a suction or you could break individual slats, so keep this in mind.

Wooden Venetian Blinds

Wooden Venetian blinds will need to be cleaned differently, water or any liquid won’t be suitable for wood because it’s a very absorbent material. If used, the water could warp the slats when drying. It could also de-laminate the wood and damage the finish, which could also lead to peeling. Use simple light dry dusting methods and avoid liquids altogether.

Knight Shades – The Blinds Specialists

Still have question on cleaning your Venetian blinds? You can always get in touch, we’re here to help you, we’re a specialist blind company that prides itself on blind installation and design. We can tailor our blinds to suit your home and your personal tastes with bespoke design and manufacture, and we’re very experienced in domestic and commercial installation. Good luck with your cleaning and let us know if you have any questions!

Choosing the Right Blinds for Your Home

Choosing the right blinds for your home is crucial, after all they’re an investment in your home and once you have them, they’ll be there for quite some time, so it’s important to choose well. Today, our post is on choosing the right blinds for you home, and we hope you find it helpful in coming to a decision about which blinds are right for your windows.

Here at Knight Shades we have a wide variety of different blinds, including Venetian, Vertical, Roller, Roman, Intu, Wooden and Blackout, each with their own practical functions and styles.

Venetian Blinds

Venetian are great for controlling light and ensuring privacy. A Venetian blind consists of horizontal slats made from a variety of materials including wood, plastic and vinyl, which one you choose is a matter of personal taste. They are normally opened and closed with a chain or cord and this is how the light is controlled. You can either have them fully shut, partially or open.

Vertical Blinds

The slats are vertical rather than horizontal with vertical blinds, and like Venetian blinds, control over light is used with a cord or chain. Both types of blinds are minimalist in their design, but lend themselves well to both classic and contemporary styles, coming in a range of different colours.

Roller Blinds

Roller blinds consist of fabric which covers the entire window when pulled down and can be rolled up using a cord. You can have them halfway down or all the way up, it’s up to you how much light you want to allow in. Again, roller blinds come in a variety of different fabrics and colours.

Roman Blinds

Roman blinds consist of pleats pulled shut with a string or cord. They’re good at blocking out light as they fit right inside the window and are extremely hard-wearing. You can have them fitted with thermal fabric or blackout fabric which is good for blocking out light completely. This is ideal if you have young children who can’t sleep with too much light.

Intu Blinds

Intu blinds fit directly on to a window and can be fitted without drilling. This is ideal if you want to fit them yourself without relying on someone else. They aren’t closed with chains or cords unlike other blinds, so they’re a perfect choice if you have children, so you don’t have to worry about health and safety hazards.

Wooden Blinds

Wood is an elegant material, so if you’d like your blinds fitted with wood, then vertical or Venetian blinds are perfect for this. They can also be finished off with a variety of different colours so your blinds will fit in with your décor.

Blackout Blinds

As we’ve already mentioned, blackout blinds are perfect for a home with children. If the young ones are finding it hard to get off to sleep, or perhaps even if you have adults who prefer to sleep in complete darkness, then blackout blinds are ideal.

Knight Shades – Quality Blinds, Fantastic Prices

Here at Knight Shades we provide blinds that are tailored to your specifications, whatever your personal style, the décor of your home, or the shape of your windows. We’ll be able to create the perfect bespoke design for you regardless of how unusually shaped your windows are, and offer you a variety of colours, patterns and fabrics which will fit in perfectly with the style of each room.

We are experienced in both domestic and commercial installation with many years’ experience, and a lot of our work comes via recommendation from satisfied customers. Get in touch and arrange your free home measurement and consultation today.

Why Choose Printed Business Blinds?

If you want your corporate identity to be seen clearly for potential customers and colleagues, then what better way to do it than with printed business blinds, or logo blinds?

Get the Right Kind of Exposure With Our Logo Blinds

Printed business blinds help your business to get the best kind of exposure it can get by being seen on the inside and outside of your premises. If you lack the space to display your business logo anywhere on the walls, then the windows are perfect. Even if the blinds are only halfway up, you can see the logo so it’s visible all of the time. The top cassette of the blind also allow for strips of fabric to be inserted, which means that your logo can still be seen when the blinds have been rolled up.

It doesn’t have to be a logo, it can be a photograph, illustration or slogan

If you don’t have a logo yet and you’re not thinking of having one, then you can have something else. You can use illustrations or photographs, or perhaps even a slogan or you could come up with your own promotional message. If you can’t come up with anything else, then one of our team can certainly help.

Have Your Branding Whichever Way You Want It

The blinds can face the exterior or interior of your windows. We can give your blinds fabrics which help make sure your logos are seen when light passes through from behind so your logo is illuminated. You can also have blackout blinds with both sides of the blind showing the logo clearly.

High Standards and a High Level of Workmanship

We have high standards here at Knight Shades and we like to create first class blinds made from good quality fabric. We use the best equipment and the latest technology so your logos, photographs, illustrations or slogans are beautiful reproduced and we have an excellent range of colours to choose from. We use best skills to create the very best work when it comes to branding, because it’s something we’re passionate about.

Business Blinds With Knight Shades

Get in touch with us here at Knight Shades if you’re thinking of having business blinds with your logo or slogan. It’ll really get your name out there, and if you’re a start-up it could give you the kind of exposure you need. We’re a professional and friendly team and we’re happy to work with you to create the perfect business blind that you’re happy with and which shows off your brand in the best light. 

Your Guide to Roman Blinds

Rather than have tired old blinds or curtains covering up your windows, why not invest in something which will help your home look smart, individual, unique, while at the same time providing perfect coverage and protection from the sun?

Roman Blinds - Versatility, Contemporary Feel, Classic Look

Here at Knight Shades we have an excellent range of roman blinds in a variety of colours and fabrics, so you’ll be spoilt for choice. What you get with roman blinds is the combination of both curtain and blind, so you get the best of both. Your windows can have the warmth, traditional colours and fabric of curtains, but with the minimalist shape and design of a blind.

Operate Them in a Multitude of Different Ways

Lift cords, chains or electric motor operate a roman blind, they’re modern while retaining some traditional elements, so your home looks modern yet classic. When the blind is pulled up, it creates a cascading effect, beautiful and smooth while being utterly chic.

Match the Décor Perfectly

Your roman blinds can perfectly match the furniture, carpets and interior décor creating a luxurious feel to a room. You can use rich heavier fabrics or stick to a lighter linen. You can use the same set of blinds throughout your home, or you can try different ones for each room.

Want to shut out the light?

For your bedroom, if you prefer it dark at night, you can buy roman blinds made with blackout fabric, or simply darker, heavier fabric that shuts out the light.

Where roman blinds are flexible is that you can have them in almost any fabric, pattern and colour so they perfectly match your interiors.

Reflective Backing

As well as having roman blinds with blackout material to shut out the light, you can also have them with a reflective backing. They stop heat from escaping in winter, and in summer they can reflect the heat so the room is kept nice and cool.

Roman Blinds From Knight Shades Edinburgh

If you want roman blinds for your home, then why not get in touch with us here at Knight Shades and we can talk you through the different fabrics, patterns and colours you can have, and then you can order them from us.

Choosing Bathroom Blinds

Blinds are a perfect choice for the bathroom as they give accurate coverage for the window, and naturally, this is important in terms of privacy. You want your bathroom to give you plenty of privacy as well as insulation in winter, and a reduction in sound all year round, so you can bathe in peace.

Choose Your Bathroom Blinds Carefully

Choosing blinds for the bathroom is slightly different to buying them for the living room or the hallway, or bedroom. The kitchen is similar in nature to the bathroom in that there are changing temperatures and lots of moisture to deal with, although obviously the bathroom has more to deal in terms of dampness and moisture.

Window Coverage is Essential For Your Bathroom Windows

You naturally want to invest in good quality window coverage for the bathroom and the materials you use are crucial. This is because as you already know, there is a high level of moisture and heat in the bathroom. Use an inappropriate application, and you’ll find it’s not too long before you’re regretting your purchase. You’ll be disappointed with the results and the performance and you’ll have wasted money.

Avoid Blinds That Will Sarp, Swell and Crack Due to Moisture

With high moisture environment you need blinds that will keep their shape and not warp or crack. Of course the level of moisture is dependent on the number of appliances you have dispensing water and the quality of ventilation in the room. Erring on the side of caution you need bathroom blinds made of moisture resistant material and high privacy factor.

Damp and Moisture Can Damage Walls and Flooring

The dampness can sometimes be trapped inside the room due to a number of different factors such as whether you have any of the things we’ve mentioned above such as ventilation or windows. If you don’t have any of these things, then its more than likely that moisture will turn to damp damaging walls and flooring.

Bathroom Blinds Resistant to Mould and Moisture

You’ll need material that is resistant to mould and moisture so go for a wood effect or aluminium. Keep in mind that wood will warp and swell, so just stick to wood effect rather than real wood. Roller blind are good as are Venetian, and you can get blinds made from material that specifically blocks out UV rays and light. This way you can have a quiet and peaceful bathroom, free from the sun’s glare and free from prying eyes.

Knight Shades – For Bathroom Blinds That Work

You can talk to our team any time and discuss your bathroom blinds. We’re happy to advise and you can ask us about anything you’re unsure of. We can even install them for you. Don’t let your bathroom blinds let you down, get in touch today and let’s talk, our team are professional, reliable and well trained, so you know you’ll be in safe hands. 

Choosing Bedroom Blinds

If you’re choosing bedroom blinds for the first time, then you’re naturally cautious about what to buy, you don’t want to spend money and realise you’ve chosen the wrong ones. If this is the first time you’ve had blinds upstairs, then you may be unsure as to what’s suitable to have in your bedrooms.

This is where your family sleeps, and you want an undisturbed area in which to relax, somewhere that offers control over light, privacy and noise. So which type of blinds might be suitable for your bedrooms?

WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM YOUR BEDROOM BLINDS?

When choosing bedroom blinds, as well as thinking about the style, texture and colour of your blinds, take into consideration your love of or aversion to light when you sleep. How close are you rooms to the street below, and can you easily hear people or traffic at night? Do you want block out noise as well as light?

VERTICAL BEDROOM BLINDS

Vertical blinds have tilting slats which give you more effective control over privacy and light than conventional curtains. You can up the ante by having blackout fabric for those who prefer a dark bedroom at night. These are especially good for children.

ROLLER BEDROOM BLINDS

Roller bedroom blinds offer complete window coverage and unlike curtains or nets, they can fit snuggly into the frame of the window offering a nice fitting. As with vertical blinds you can also have blackout fabric for those who prefer no light at all when sleeping. You’ll also find that a completely blocked window can help smother noises from outside and give you more privacy. Again, roller blinds come in different colours, shades and textures offering you a versatile range of choices.

BLACKOUT PLEATED BLINDS

Pleated blinds are an elegant accessory to any bedroom and offer excellent window coverage. They come beautifully finished and in a variety of colours and patterns.

DUO ROLLER BLINDS

If you want to block and light AND sun then you could have duo roller blinds, that is two blinds in one. You have one single blind that acts as a light filtering or solar screen and then a second one that acts as a blockout. You can let light in during the day by drawing up the blockout blind and then during the day you have the light filtering blind that will bring light but not too much sun. Naturally, you’ll bring the blockout blind out at night to help you sleep.

ROMAN BLINDS

These also come in blockout fabric if you want complete darkness at night, and they fall beautifully against the window in a multitude of fabrics and colours. Keep in mind however, that roman blinds will give you less control over light and privacy due to their limited function of being up or down. If you’re not bothered too much about light and privacy, perhaps you live in more subdued area of the house, then you may not be concerned about these aspects.

CHILD SAFETY – CORDLESS BLINDS

You can also have cordless blinds if you’re going to be having them in a child’s bedroom. Hanging cords can be extremely dangerous for young children and it’s no surprise that many parents are reluctant to put them up in their children’s room. However, our cordless blinds are perfect for a child’s room and make for a safe and peaceful night’s sleep.

If you’d like to hear anything more about our range of bedroom blinds, then get in touch with us here at Knight Shades Blinds in Edinburgh, one of our professional team will be happy to help.

Why Choose INTU Blinds?

If you’re looking for a smooth, sleek look for your windows, a blind system that’s safe as well as easy to install, then Intu blinds may be the right choice. If you have children and you’re worried they’ll injure themselves using cords, then Intu blinds offer the perfect solution. We’re going to be talking about Intu blinds and why they’re the perfect choice, an all-round blind that performs on so many levels.

Versatile Blinds

Intu blinds work with tilt and turn windows as well as all modern windows, regardless of shape. There also great for conservatories and glazed doors. So there’s no real issue about where you can have them, regardless of how unusually shaped your windows are, or whether you have French windows or a conservatory. Intu blinds are made in such a way they can fit snuggly into any shape of window or door.

Control Over Light and Privacy

Intu blinds not only fit well, they’re also great at controlling light and privacy, allowing you to let in the right amount of light when you need without opening up your entire window, and giving you the privacy you need.

Ease of Installation

They’re really easy to install too, fitting in beautifully with the window, you can even choose colours to match the window frames, and if you have PVC windows this is probably going to be white. It just allows for the blinds to fit in sleekly with the frame of the window, you can also have brown or silver, whichever fits in with the shade of your frames.

Operating Rod For Easy Opening and Closing of Blinds

Although there are no cords with Intu blinds, you can have an operating rod which helps you to reach the top of the blind to bring it down. These operating rods are supplied with your blind, and you can use them to open and close your Intu blinds safely and quickly. There are no cords attached to the blind itself, so there’s nothing to tempt little hands, giving you peace of mind.

It’s easy to control, with most styles of blind available with the Intu style rod, even Venetian, roller and pleated. With roller blinds in particular, there’s a fascia where the blind fabric is stored, giving the blinds a really attractive finish.

Versatility, Elegance, Ease to Operate, Light Control and Privacy

So, with Intu blind you get a whole look that fits in with the window frame as well as the rest of the interior of your room. They fit beautifully into the window giving both a sleek and elegant finish, they’re also safe from prying hands with a separate operating rod to bring the blinds down and to put them back up.

KnightShades – Quality Intu Blinds in a Variety of Styles

If you’re interested in having Intu blinds installed in your home or would like to find out more, why not get in touch with us here at KnightShades? One of our team can help you, we’re all professionally trained and experienced so you’ll be in safe hands.

PVC Vertical Blinds For Schools

If you’re in charge of a school, then perhaps you’re in a quandary as to which type of blinds you should have on your school windows as quality coverage. Perhaps it’s time for a new set to replace the ones you have had before and you’re on a limited budget. 

Whatever the case is, you’ll be looking for something that is cost-effective, while at the same time offering the right type of coverage you need that suits the classrooms they’ll be in, and the types of lessons they’ll be having.

PVC Vertical Blinds – A Natural Choice For Schools

Naturally you’ll also need them to be relatively maintenance free or at least be easy to clean and long lasting. We would suggest PVC as a potential material, used in vertical blinds. Firstly, what is PVC?

What is PVC?

All polymers come from petroleum and they are hydrocarbon compounds. PVC consists not only of plastics, but of different materials each with their own characteristics. There are natural polymers, like cellulose, and there’s also amber, rubber and shellac which are man-made.

Why are PVC Vertical Blinds a Good Choice For Schools?

PVC vertical blinds are elegant and sleek and offer great value for money, but what makes them really good value for schools is that they’re easy to clean and easy to control with a wand control system that makes them really safe around children. They fit any window regardless of size, and if they’re an unusual shape, then they can be custom made to fit. If you have sliding or French doors, the versatile PVC vertical blind range we have here at Knight Shades is really impressive, and you’ll easily find something which suits.

Durable and Robust PVC Vertical Blinds

PVC vertical blinds are robust and durable, as well as functional, so you’ll certainly get a return on your investment. The slats are also easy to replace, so if one or two become damaged they can be easily replaced, rather than having to replace the whole set.

If you’re watching a film or giving a presentation via PC or projector, then blinds are perfect, because they can shut out just the right amount of light, so you have more control over privacy and light.

Versatile PVC Vertical Blinds - Wide Range of Colours and Sizes

If you feel that PVC vertical blinds are just what you’re looking for in your school, then get in touch with us here at Knight Shades, and we can talk you through our range. If you need them customised for unusually shaped windows, don’t worry, we can create blinds that fit perfectly.

Why Choose Venetian Blinds For Schools?

If you're in charge of the school budget then you'll probably have a long list of school needs. Perhaps it includes window coverings. Your priorities in this area may be more focused on the functional aspect rather than the aesthetics. You probably rely on blinds rather than curtains because they're such a hazard with young children, and they're more likely to get damaged.

Venetian Blinds – An Excellent Choice For School Windows

What type of blinds you've had in the past may largely have depended on your budget, and what's been the norm for the past few years at your school. If you are thinking of changing, then perhaps you should consider Venetian blinds, because they really are the perfect choice for school windows. The benefits are considerable for an educational environment, and in this blog, we're going to be going over this with you so you can make an informed decision.

With Venetian blinds you'll have far more control over the amount of light you allow in, and this is especially important if you have situations where you're giving a presentation or you're using a projector. Some blinds only cut out the light or let light in, however with Venetian blinds you can let a minimal amount of light in or you can close a minimum of light out because you have more control over the slats. That sort of precise control over the amount of light is really helpful in a classroom situation where you need to act quickly.

Maintenance is Simple and Almost Non-Existent

You'll also find they don't need to be removed to clean them, and they don't even need to be washed when they're hanging on the windows either. All you need to is wipe occasionally or run a duster over the individual slats.

The designs we offer are extremely versatile too, as they come in a variety of materials, styles, colours and widths, so it doesn't matter how big or small your windows are, they'll be a set of blinds that fit. Materials to choose from are usually timber, PVC or aluminium. So if you want something plain and functional for the majority of the classrooms and perhaps something a little different for teachers areas, rest rooms etc. then you can choose from a versatile range here at Knight Shades.

Installation

You'll find that Venetian Blinds are easy to install and you can choose how this happens. You can either have them professionally installed by one of our trained team members or you can install them yourselves. We have them in various sizes or you can have them custom made. There are some pretty straightforward instructions which we'll provide with your Venetian blinds.

Knight Shades – For Quality Venetian Blinds

If you feel that Venetian blinds are the type of blinds you think your school could benefit from, then why not get in touch with us here at Knight Shades and we can discuss your needs. It doesn't have to be stressful, we can make it a quick and easy process to go through so you can have some beautifully installed Venetian blinds that give you privacy and light control in your classrooms. We can also supply some child friendly Venetian blinds that pull up with a safety cord if you're in charge of a primary school. 

Types of Roller Blinds

Roller blinds are such a chic and elegant way of covering windows that it's no surprise that they're so popular. They provide a really excellent source of light control and privacy and if you live on a busy street, this is perfect.

Variety, Functionality, Versatility

What's also great about roller blinds is that they come in a variety of different materials to suit your interior décor, your purse and the functionally you seek. We're going to outline some of the reasons why roller blinds are our best sellers, and why you should give them a go yourself. If you're about to invest in some new blinds for your home, your couldn't do better than to install roller blinds.

Roller Blinds - Fit Right in With All Styles

If you've decided on a particular theme, even if it's classical, then you're going to be pleased to know that blinds can fit right in. They can blend into the background, or take centre stage. If you have a more classic interior rather than a more modern one, then perhaps you might want the blinds to take a back seat while the focus is on the furnishings and accessories. If you have a modern theme, whether it's industrial, sixties psychedelic or art deco elegance then you'll find that roller blinds can fit in beautifully with your chosen theme.

Functional Roller Blinds

The more functional aspect of your roller blinds, which of course makes them the versatile choice for windows, can be met by a variety of different fabrics which cater to your needs. We have blackout blinds for those of you who prefer a completely darkened room at night. You may have a child who can't sleep without complete darkness, and with our blackout roller blinds you'll get a completely darkened room with no light escaping through.

Intu blinds fit into your windows and patio doors with no screws or drill needed, and they're often a perfect choice for those with young children and curious hands. It offers a simple yet safe way of having roller blinds on your windows and doors with no opportunities for accidents.

Senses roller blinds are similar in nature to regular roller blinds, but they also have a fascia which can be covered in a fabric of your choice. From this the blinds rise and fall simultaneously in each room. This is also a safe option, similar to Intu roller blinds, in that there are no cords for children to potentially harm themselves with.

Logo Roller Blinds

Do you work in an office or a shop floor where you run your business? Perhaps you'd like to have your logo on your roller blinds, so people can see exactly who you are. You can still have them in the material, colour and style of your choice, but with the addition of a cleverly subtly placed logo. It gives your business a really professional and stylish look.

Roller Blinds Edinburgh - Quality, Style & Functionality

We hope we've convinced you of the beauty, elegance and functionality of roller blinds for your home or business. They're so easy to install, and with so many styles, colours and materials to choose from, you're bound to find something that fits in perfectly with your current interior décor.

One of our professional team of installers are quite happy to install them for you if you don't fancy doing it yourself. Go ahead and choose your roller blinds, you won't regret it. Get in touch if you have any questions, we're happy to be of help.