Blinds are a modern replacement for shutters, which in the old days served as protection from sunlight. But if the shutters were placed outside the window openings, then the blinds can be located inside the room. They are so different in materials, colors, designs, structures that they successfully compete with traditional curtains and are a great addition to any interior. And it’s hard to imagine a modern office without blinds. How to choose blinds for the office?
What are blinds for in an office?
Blinds for the office and commercial premises should perform the following functions:
Protective: protect from sunlight, especially if these are southern premises, partially from noise and even from the penetration of cold in winter, as well as from prying eyes on the first floors of commercial buildings.
Beautiful: Blinds have successfully replaced ordinary curtains, because of their practicality, they take up the least space near the windows, are easy to care for, so they are a better choice of blinds for the office.
If the blinds for the office are fully closed, you can even dim the room by 100%, creating darkness. This is especially important in rooms where video projectors are used for presentations. Here, even during the day, complete darkness needs to be created so that the projector screen is clearly visible.
In areas where employees work, blinds allow you to control the flow of sunlight. If it’s dark here in the morning, you can open the curtains completely to let in maximum light. In the afternoon, when the sun is at its highest, the slats can be angled to allow enough light to pass through without interfering with work.
Vertical or horizontal blinds for the office: which is better?
Depending on the position of the slats, blinds can be vertical or horizontal. Both options will be ideal for office and commercial spaces. Consider the benefits and features of each.
Horizontal blinds for the office
They are thin horizontal slats that move along two side rails. They are often attached directly to the window frame or sash, set in motion with a cord. They can be raised completely, allowing access to the light, or lowered, arranging the slats so that the light does not penetrate the room. The angle of inclination of the slats is adjustable, creating such light transmission as it is necessary in a particular room or at different times of the day.
Very compact and practical, they allow you to save maximum space near windows, which is very important for small offices. At the same time, the windowsill can be left open and used functionally – for appliances or storage. Among various materials, it is best to choose aluminum horizontal blinds for the office – they are very light, but at the same time durable. The slats are easy to clean with a special brush or a damp cloth. Such designs are inexpensive and can come in different colors and shades to suit any interior.
Vertical blinds for the office
In such structures, the lamellas are directed vertically. They are made of soft fabric materials and are wider. The slats are attached to a cornice, usually mounted on the ceiling. The angle of rotation of the slats can be changed by adjusting the flow of light. The slats can be fully deployed parallel to the window, but this will not give 100% dimming, since the canvas does not fit snugly against the glass. The length can vary – to the height of the window or even to the floor.
Vertical structures take up more space near the window, and therefore do not allow the windowsill to be opened and functionally used. In addition, they are suitable only for rooms with a large area. But on the other hand, they are great for panoramic windows, as well as for window structures that cover a large segment in width. Horizontal blinds will not block such areas. The cost of vertical options is higher, but they also look more elegant and aesthetically pleasing.