How much notice do you take of your blinds at home? Our guess at Country Blinds and Shutters is not as often as you should. It’s important to check as often as possible for the wear and tear as most blinds’ life expectancy is around 7-8 years. You may find reading this short blog helps you spot the key signs your blinds are ready to break, be repaired or replaced if this is the case your blinds may become unsafe for your family, children or pets.
When You Might Need To Change Your Blinds
Bent or Snapped
Whether it be faux wood blinds or wood blinds misshaped or bent slats can be a key indicator of heat or humidity damage. If this occurs then it’s likely your blinds will become harder to navigate, become heavy to raise and look untidy to the eye. Slats can be replaced easily if it’s just one or two that are damaged but if the damage is on a larger scale we suggest you replace the full unit. If you happen to live in a warmer part of the UK we suggest opting for a fabric blind, or maybe full blackout blinds.
Movement Of Your Blinds Become Difficult
You may find that raising your blinds becomes extremely difficult or near enough impossible in this case this could be due to your blinds being made too wide for your window, meaning your cord and mechanism can’t work as they should or on the other hand your mechanism has simply broken and can’t function as it should. This problem can quickly become a safety issue and you should have them fixed or replaced as soon as possible.
Frayed or Damaged Cords
Look out for frayed or really untidy looking cords this could simply be down to age like everything wear and tear appears over time, or it could be that the mechanism inside is causing the damage in either case your blinds are an imminent safety issue and should be repaired or replaced.
Discoloured Slats
It goes without saying that all blinds become a little yellow or discoloured over time due to UV rays from the sun. Material deterioration happens and when it does it’s definitely time to think about replacing your old blinds.
Frayed Edges
Any material blinds can become frayed. This could be caused by a number of factors, one being your slats are made too wide for your windows opening and the friction from scraping the frame is causing damage. Replace them as soon as possible before more damage occurs.
Blinds Don’t Shut Tight
You may find over time that your slats don’t shut as closely or as tightly as they used to, your cord usually navigates where and how you shut your blinds. If the tilt mechanism stops working then this is more than likely the cause of this problem.
Your Blinds Aren’t Safe
Over recent years safety rules and regulations have changed and most blinds are made to be child and pet friendly, rather than having an exposed easy accessible cord they are harder to reach. There are many options available on the market such as curtain shutters, cordless roller shades and cordless cellular shades.
Aren’t Fit For Purpose
You may find that your blinds are in good shape but just aren’t doing the job they should be in your chosen room. Are they letting too much light in? Not keeping your rooms warm in winter and cool in summer? These are just a few questions to ask yourself.
They Look Outdated
You may have recently modernised your home so your current blinds simply may not fit with the new decor, so in that case it’s definitely time to upgrade. If your old blinds are still in decent condition why not think about donating them to a local charity or passing them on to a friend or family member in need.
You’ve Had New Windows Fitted
You may have recently extended or had a nice new conservatory, maybe you have just had your windows replaced. Either way new windows can mean new measurements, maybe you have more frame and less window or the opposite way around, your old blinds simply might not fit anymore so it’s definitely time for replacements.