Purpose

• There are several purposes for having mini blinds in your home. First, they cover up your windows so people can't see in your home. This is especially important when your family is away. Second, mini blinds help conserve your home's energy. You can close them to keep in heat or cold air, or you can open them to let in heat from the outside. You can adjust them throughout the day to maximize your energy savings. Third, blinds keep out the sunlight better than any other window treatment. If you have a job where you must sleep in the daytime, mini blinds are a must. Lastly, mini blinds add a decorative touch to your home. They can be accented by curtains, sheers or valances. You can also get mini blinds in various materials that will match the decor of your home.
  
  

Types

• There are several types of mini blinds. You can choose slats of various widths. You can also choose blinds that are between the window panes, or blinds that hang on the inside of the window where you can touch them. You can select blinds that hang horizontally or vertically, and you can choose blinds that twist open or blinds that have to be pulled up to open. All blinds can be cut to fit any window size.
  
  

Materials

• Mini blinds are made of a variety of materials. There are blinds made of various wood, giving you the choice of wood type. Aspen, basswood and poplar are often used for mini blinds. They are harder woods, so have long durability. Other widely used woods are American hard wood and ramin. There are also faux wood blinds. These blinds look like real wood, but are not. You can choose from a variety of stain colors. These blinds are less expensive than real wood. Vinyl blinds are also a choice and are the most inexpensive option. Vinyl blinds come in a variety of colors. Another option is aluminum blinds. Aluminum blinds are not very popular, as they can be loud and don't offer as much color variety.
  
  

Measuring for Blinds

• To determine what size of blinds you need, use a tape measure and measure across the window frame from the inside edge on the left side to the inside edge of the right side. This is the width you need. Do the same thing from top to bottom to determine your length. Mini blinds can be purchased online, at retail stores such as home improvement stores and department stores, and through specialty stores focusing on window treatments. No matter where you choose to purchase your blinds, it is important to have accurate measurements. If you deal with a window treatment specialty store, they often have staff who will do your measurements for you. If you choose to order online, you may want to visit a store first to actually see and feel the different types of materials and colors before you order. It is certainly more cost efficient to purchase blinds that come in a box already pre-cut than it is to go through a specialty store. However, most home improvement stores will take the blinds that you pick out from a box and cut them to your measurements at no extra charge.