Window Coverings Lingo Made Easy

As the Forgotten Coast’s expert on custom-made window coverings, we’re well versed in the lingo of the industry. However, just because we know, doesn’t mean you know, so we’re here to help you out and give you a quick overview of some of the most common words you may hear while selecting and ordering new coverings.

First, let’s talk window coverings, also known as window treatments. Window coverings are any style of shade, blinds, shutter, or drapery that is installed in or on a window with decorative or light-filtering purposes.

types of window coverings

Shades - Shades are typically a single piece of fabric or material that is mounted on or in a window for the purpose of decoration and light-filtering. These shades tend to be solid although some shades offer alternating bands of opaque and translucent sections. Some examples of these are cellular shades, natural shades, roller shades, and dual shades.

Blinds - Blinds are made of wood, PVC, or fabric slats evenly positioned horizontally or vertically. Blinds allow for all, some, or no light to pass through the shade by tilting the slats/vanes. Some notable examples of blinds are faux wood blinds, wood blinds, and vertical blinds.

Shutters - Shutters are built-in window coverings made with a frame and panels. The panels feature “louvers” which can be tilted to allow for specified light control. They can be made of wood or a polyresin, which is extremely durable and moisture resistant.

Roller Shade with Cord Loop Operation

Window Covering Operations

Controls - Controls refers to how the window treatment is raised, lowered, or tilted.

Cordlock - Cordlock window coverings are window covers that are raised, lowered, or tilted via a cord that hangs freely from the top of the window treatment.

Cord Loop - Cord loop window coverings are shades or blinds which use a continuous loop of cord or chain to raise and lower the shade. The loop is mounted inside the unit’s headrail and is mounted securely on the wall or trim below to allow for easy and safe use.

Cordless - Cordless window coverings are units that do not have any cord or cord loop on the shade. These operate using springs to easily raise and lower the window covering without the use of external cords.

Automated/Motorized - Automated and motorized window coverings are operated using an internal motor and remote controls to raise and lower the shades. These are inherently cordless window coverings.

common terms

Inside Mount - Inside mount window coverings are mounted inside the window frame, which leaves any trim or molding on the outside of the window exposed.

Outside Mount - Outside mount window coverings are mounted above the window to the wall or directly to the trim. This mounting option may cover trim and molding around the window.

Headrail - The headrail refers to the top portion of the window treatments which mounts to the window frame. This also contains the cords, mechanisms, and motors.

Bottom Rail - Opposite the headrail, the bottom rail is the bottom portion of a window treatment. The primary function is to provide weight to the lower portion of the covering.

Slats/Louvers/Vanes - All three of these terms refer to solid vertical or horizontal materials which make up blinds and shutters. Usually made of wood, composites, or PVC, in some cases like Vertical Blinds, fabric vanes are a popular choice.

Liner - Liner refers to the additional light filter or room-darkening fabric that is added to shades to add additional privacy and light control.

Light Filtering - Light Filtering materials block and reduce some, but not all light which passes through. You can usually see through these materials.

Room-Darkening - Room-Darkening refers to any material that blocks out the majority of light coming through a window treatment.

Blackout - Blackout is any material that blocks all the light which would normally pass through the window. No window treatment is 100% blackout due to natural light leaks around the edges.

Hold Down Brackets - Hold Down Brackets are the specialized clips or magnets used on window treatments which are mounted on doors to hold them into place when using the door. This keep the window treatment secure against the door.

Top-Down/Bottom-Up - Top-Down Bottom-Up is any window treatment unit that can be operated but raising the bottom rail or lowering the top rail.

Valance - A valance is a decorative piece of material used on almost all window coverings to hide the headrail and mechanisms of a window covering.

Let’s get started

Now that you’ve learned some of the most common terms you may encounter, speak to an expert Design Advisor with Solana Shades to learn even more. Our Design Advisors can help you make selections that are best for your home and your lifestyle. Getting started is easy, simply schedule a free consultation or measurement.