Blinds were invented by the ancient Egyptians. They had a basic function of tilting using pulleys, and were not commonly used because of their high cost. If you believe that myth, then you need to read this article. Blinds could only have been invented many years later as they were needed to control entering light. In fact, blinds were an innovation after curtains. Therefore, unlike beer, blinds cannot draw their roots back to an invention by the ancient Pharaohs and they cannot be blamed for the lost tombs either.

Blinds are a curious machine, however. The basic function of a blind is to block light and provide privacy. To do that, they need to be adjustable. Adjustability is what makes blinds different. Basic blocking of a window can be done with paper, fabric sheets or other permanent or removable coverings. However, if an occupant wishes to adjust the level of privacy or permit some of the light to enter the room, she can use a blind to cause this effect.

Blinds come in two varieties. These are horizontal and vertical. The two kinds are defined by the relative orientation of the slat material that hangs from the control system. In America, that is the definition of blinds. In other English speaking countries, the other window treatments that are adjustable are also called blinds, but in the USA most others are properly called shades.

Blinds typically have two methods of adjustment. These are tilt, or rotate, and lift, or traverse. The reason for two words for each of these actions is to distinguish between the actions that cause motion in a horizontal blind or a vertical blind. However, interestingly enough, typical blinds have the same mechanisms to adjust. There is little difference in them.

To make sure that it is out there first, miniblinds are almost exactly the same as wood blinds, when it comes to the control system. Even if a company offers a specialty system, the components might be higher quality, or look nicer, but the basic functions are the same.

The same principle applies to vertical blinds regardless of the internal systems used by the fabricators. The functions of the vertical blind remain the same – tilt open or close or traverse open or close as desired.

In order to explain the functions of a vertical or a horizontal blind, it is necessary to visualize in our minds the product itself. In the case of a vertical blind, carriers which traverse in a made to measure track will vertically hold the vertical louvers, which can be ordered in either solid PVC or free-hanging fabric with a weight inserted at the bottom of each vertical louver in order to force the fabric vertical louver to hang straight. These carriers are interconnected and operate uniformly whenever rotating open to a desired angle or traversed open, either partially or fully, as desired by the end user. In the case of a horizontal blind, regardless of the material used (real wood or fauxwood), the tilt and raise functions are conducted through the use of cords and/or wands. The most popular systems are operated by the use of cords for two reasons – ease of operation and aesthetics.

What about tilting and rotating? Those effects are caused by adjusting a different cord, or chain. This movement causes a geared actuator inside the blind to rotate a metal rod. In a horizontal blind, the actuator is the tilter, either wand or cord style, and the rod that is moved is called a tiltrod. The rod has collectors for the cords, which move one side of the ladder up. The movement in the other direction does the same thing in reverse. In the case of a vertical blind, the action is the movement of a pinion gear moved by a chain control. The pinion gear moves a gear in the carriers that support the hanging vertical fabric. That part then moves to adjust the orientation of the slat material.

There are a few enhancements to these products. In the case of vertical blinds, there are some dual pinion systems, where the second pinion is used to cause a traverse action. This is actuated by a second chain movement. In the case of horizontal blinds, there are monocommand cord systems, but these are basically enhancements upon the existing products.

The basic elements of blinds are the same among various systems. If one needs to repair a blind, usually it is best to try to work with a retailer, who can determine if the blinds are reparable. In many cases, the blinds are so outdated that they may be a safety risk in the homes. However, if you will make repair to your blinds, at least you can understand how they work.