Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Dec 05, 2011 7:30 pm Hi all, After being in our house for almost a year, I need to get the window coverings organised. I've decided on vertical blinds (least cleaning and most versatile of the three main options - vertical, venetian and roller). However, I'm having trouble deciding between cords or wand. The cords need to go through a roller that is mounted on the window reveal. The cords don't look the best, but they are the most proven operating method. Wands are neat looking but they can prevent the vertical blind slats from fully tilt closing on the last slat where the wand is, but only slightly so. So, for those that have vertical blinds, which do you think is best? Also, for all the designers out there, what are your thoughts? Cheers, Casa Demolition August 2009, Construction Started September 2009, Completed December 2010 Re: Vertical Blinds - Cords or Wand? 2Dec 05, 2011 9:06 pm I have cords - I dont really notice them. Actually there is a cord and also with it a fine chain - the cord opens them across the window and the chain tilts them from open to shut. Dont really notice them, they are coloured to match the blinds and are quite unobtrusive IMO Re: Vertical Blinds - Cords or Wand? 3Dec 05, 2011 9:45 pm we use to have vertical blinds. There was no issues with the cords - simple and straight forward. Sometimes the cords got a bit stuck but very easy to fix! Follow JK's Lexington build: http://thehotdogdog.blogspot.com/ Roofing: 22/11 (current) Frame: 9/11 - 21/11 (9 days) Slab: 3/11 (1 day) Trenching: 26/10 - 2/11 (5 days) Contract Signed: 4/10 Re: Vertical Blinds - Cords or Wand? 4Dec 06, 2011 1:05 pm In my first home l had cord,l am in my daughter's uint while l build hers has wand,i prefer wand looks better imo. Re: Vertical Blinds - Cords or Wand? 5Dec 06, 2011 2:52 pm We had wands in the rental and one of them broke so we couldn't open or close the blind for several months because the landlord coudn't organise himself to get there and fix it when it suited us. I think you have more chance of being able to fix a problem with cords - we're getting cords in our new house. For info on our build: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=43093 Built the McLaren by Dechellis - slab down 22 Feb - handover 30 Aug 2011 - and gardens finished 9 Dec 2012!! Re: Vertical Blinds - Cords or Wand? 6Dec 06, 2011 9:03 pm Thanks for the feedback. Much appreciated. Mclaren, although the wand broke, what did you think of the wand otherwise? Any more experiences? Demolition August 2009, Construction Started September 2009, Completed December 2010 Re: Vertical Blinds - Cords or Wand? 7Dec 06, 2011 9:12 pm I think wands are not practical. If you have a wide(r) window, you'll have to walk with the wand. And then there's the pulling force - just doesn't seem as sturdy as the chain for me. With the chain, you just stand in one spot to operate the blind. BTW, I'm a little bit relieved that there is ONE other person that still hasn't done the blinds after a whole year in !!! BTW2, what blade width did you select and are the blinds going inside the reveal or on the wall/architrave? My signature is distracting people from my wise posts ... Re: Vertical Blinds - Cords or Wand? 8Dec 06, 2011 9:18 pm Blade width = 100 mm (89 look too thin, 127 look too wide and also will not fit in my reveal space) Inside the reveal (I like the clean look) I've got everything organised except cords or wand. And if I go cords I have to work out if it's better on the opening side (convenient, but exposed) or bunched side (inconvenient but hidden). Demolition August 2009, Construction Started September 2009, Completed December 2010 Re: Vertical Blinds - Cords or Wand? 9Dec 06, 2011 9:23 pm Ive had wand and cords and i thought the wand would be crap but in my opinion it beats the cords hands down.. So much easier, no cord to open and a chain to turn the blinds all done on the one wand. Been in the place im in now 3 years and we havent broken a wand as yet, and all the blinds are opened and closed every day. Lex the pulling force in using the cord to open the blinds on a big window/door is much greater than the wand in my opinion. Re: Vertical Blinds - Cords or Wand? 10Dec 06, 2011 9:55 pm Casa2 Blade width = 100 mm (89 look too thin, 127 look too wide and also will not fit in my reveal space) Inside the reveal (I like the clean look) I've got everything organised except cords or wand. And if I go cords I have to work out if it's better on the opening side (convenient, but exposed) or bunched side (inconvenient but hidden). Weird ... I also decided on 100 mm for the same reason! And like you, I 'm also having a bit of a trouble deciding on whihc side to put the controls/chain (exposed or not). In the end, I tested them on a display and figured that it's better to have them on the left (wherever possible) because I tend to be strongly/overly right-handed and it's easier to access the cord if they are on the left side This is easy decision for our awning windows. With the sliding windows, I am (so far) planning to go the practical way and leave the cords exposed when the blind is bunched (easier access half the time ). My signature is distracting people from my wise posts ... Re: Vertical Blinds - Cords or Wand? 11Dec 07, 2011 7:49 am Good to see cords and wand as being both ~equally popular. Some more discussion required to help me make a decision Lex, what a coincidence with the 100 mm slat width. So, I see you're going with Luxaflex. If I go with cords, I never thought of having them on the left or right, but rather the open end or the bunched end (for want of better terms). If you put the cords on the left and you have windows that open either left or right then the cords will be on the open side sometimes or the bunched side at other times. A bit of a mixed look. Something else to consider is were your furniture is palced. It may prevent access to the bunched side (shouldn't prevent acccess to the open side since you then wouldn't be able to open the window - assuming sliding windows.) I've made hundreds of decisons to get my house complete, but the window dressing has me stumped (vertical/venetian/roller, cords/wand, which side for cords?...) Demolition August 2009, Construction Started September 2009, Completed December 2010 Re: Vertical Blinds - Cords or Wand? 12Dec 07, 2011 5:54 pm I have sliding windows - all my cords are on the side opposite the open end - so when the blinds are open the bunched section is next to the cord. Other than my double sliding doors where the blinds open to each side, for obvious reasons. Very important to me to have cords away from the open window end - otherwise they will rattle in the breeze when the window is open - for same reason, make sure your blinds open away from the window opening - so when blinds are bunched up at one end, this is the opposite end to where the window is open. Re: Vertical Blinds - Cords or Wand? 13Dec 07, 2011 6:51 pm Oh, it's not Luxaflex (didn't even call them as I assume they are quite exy), but I found quite a few places who would do 100mm. Are they exy??!? Back to the cord/wand issue - if you are planning any larger furniture / sofas along any of those windows, I think it would be hard to operate the wand (and take a walk with it along the window) and at the same time try to avoid hitting stuff and keep your arm steady etc etc. I just can't see myself being able to do that (and have the nerves each time ), so that's why I discounted the wand early on. Which side to put the controls on / which side to bunch the blind into? The bunching is easy for sliding winows - always into the fixed side of the window. For awnings - doesn't matter (it's more the looks that matter in this case). But where to put the controls? (I think I even started a thread on it!!!) I originally thought to place them on the mobile side (so they are easy to access when you want to close the blind). But I guess it's not really an issue - I have discovered that for me it seems more important if you are strongly right- or left-handed! I agree that it's way nicer to have the cords hidden (when the blind is bunched) rather than being alone and in full view. BUT again, it also depends if you are having any curtains (we are).... So many little factors to consider! Those quoters were sometimes quite surprised with all the little questions - but don't they read h1 (where all good attention to detail folks go!!)!!!! My signature is distracting people from my wise posts ... Re: Vertical Blinds - Cords or Wand? 14Dec 07, 2011 7:34 pm Helyn I have sliding windows - all my cords are on the side opposite the open end - so when the blinds are open the bunched section is next to the cord. Other than my double sliding doors where the blinds open to each side, for obvious reasons. Very important to me to have cords away from the open window end - otherwise they will rattle in the breeze when the window is open - for same reason, make sure your blinds open away from the window opening - so when blinds are bunched up at one end, this is the opposite end to where the window is open. Helyn, having the blinds bunched up at the opposite end of the window opening is a no-brainer. However, there are pros and cons for where the cords are located. At the window opening side means that you can open the blinds and the window from the one place - quicker, less travelling and more furniture placement options. Having the cords at the bunched side means that the cords are well hidden. Demolition August 2009, Construction Started September 2009, Completed December 2010 Re: Vertical Blinds - Cords or Wand? 15Dec 07, 2011 7:38 pm Lex, so who are you using? Apollo and Kresta/Vista don't have 100 mm slats, which I think are the happy medium. Luxaflex do cost somewhat more, but they are a so much better design and construction. Demolition August 2009, Construction Started September 2009, Completed December 2010 Re: Vertical Blinds - Cords or Wand? 16Dec 07, 2011 8:32 pm Found a few, mostly local, places. One of the more known one is Sydney Blinds and Screens or The Blinds Factory, etc. Even Spotlight does them in 100. Since I still haven't ordered them ( ), I will probably go with a "small guy" who is somehwere Penrith way (so, not a local and he's a one-man-band). He seems to be the simplest. Prices are extremely similar. Where do I get to see Lulaflex? Is that Myer or DJ or /..? My signature is distracting people from my wise posts ... Re: Vertical Blinds - Cords or Wand? 18Dec 08, 2011 7:09 pm Casa2 Helyn I have sliding windows - all my cords are on the side opposite the open end - so when the blinds are open the bunched section is next to the cord. Other than my double sliding doors where the blinds open to each side, for obvious reasons. Very important to me to have cords away from the open window end - otherwise they will rattle in the breeze when the window is open - for same reason, make sure your blinds open away from the window opening - so when blinds are bunched up at one end, this is the opposite end to where the window is open. Helyn, having the blinds bunched up at the opposite end of the window opening is a no-brainer. However, there are pros and cons for where the cords are located. At the window opening side means that you can open the blinds and the window from the one place - quicker, less travelling and more furniture placement options. Having the cords at the bunched side means that the cords are well hidden. Well, you would think so - but I remember a thread a while ago where people had centrally opening blinds on sliding windows and then complained about them rattling when window open My windows are not that long so I can actually open the window and the blind from the non window opening end - ie I can still reach middle of window to pull it across to open whilst opening or shutting the blinds. Won't the cords/chain/wand rattle in the breeze if at window opening end?? Re: Vertical Blinds - Cords or Wand? 19Dec 08, 2011 7:21 pm Good point Helyn. If the cords are on the opening side, they may rattle in the wind. The wand is not a problem since it follows the blinds IYKWIM. Demolition August 2009, Construction Started September 2009, Completed December 2010 Re: Vertical Blinds - Cords or Wand? 20Dec 08, 2011 7:27 pm Helyn Won't the cords/chain/wand rattle in the breeze if at window opening end?? My signature is distracting people from my wise posts ... 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