| GLOSSARY |
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| Commonly Used Terms |
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A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X Y Z
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| Abington Fabric Valance |
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A formal fabric valance made with 4" cascading folds. |
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| Accent Rod |
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A decorative bar that fits through the bottom of the scalloped and tabbed hems on our roller shades. |
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| Allowance |
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| A slight variation from the exact measurements of the window, usually decreasing them slightly. It is industry standards to take this to allow for anticipated needs. |
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| Aluminum Blinds |
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A window blind made of horizontal slats of curved aluminum. Also called mini-blinds, micro-blinds, or macro-blinds. |
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| B |
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| Basswood |
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| Wood with a light weight and fine grain. Considered a premium wood for use in horizontal blinds or shutters. |
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| Blackout Liner |
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| An optional white backing available on some products. Ensures total light blockage and complete privacy. |
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| Blinds |
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| A window covering designed of either horizontal or vertical slats. Blinds can be made of wood, aluminum, fabric, or synthetic materials. Horizontal blinds traditionally open from the bottom up; vertical blinds open and close to the side. |
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| Bottom Rail |
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| The bottom-most slat on a horizontal blind. It is often weighted or thicker to guarantee that the blind will hang properly. |
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| Brackets |
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| A form of hardware that serves as both a functional and a decorative element. Brackets may be used as blind, shade, or rod supports. |
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| Braemar Fabric Shade |
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A fabric shade style with rings sewn to the fabric to guide folds. |
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| Café Shutter |
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A shutter that covers only the bottom half of the window. |
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| Carlisle Fabric Shade |
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A formal fabric shade style featuring a small pleat at the top that tapers down to a soft pouf at the bottom. |
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| Cambridge Fabric Valance |
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A fabric valance sewn with a 3" inverted pleat in the middle of each swag, and vertical placed tabs on either side to create a lovely swag. |
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| Canterbury Fabric Valance |
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A fabric valance with a casual, easy style. The flowing swag is finished with handkerchief tails on each end. |
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| Carriers |
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| Small devices in the headrail of vertical blinds that attach the vanes to the headrail. |
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| Ceiling Mount |
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| A product is mounted to the ceiling, or top of the window. This eliminates the gap between the blinds or shades and the ceiling. |
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| Cellular Shades |
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| Center Support Bracket |
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| An extra bracket placed in the center of a window treatment to support extra weight and avoid sagging. |
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| Channel Panel |
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A clear vinyl sleeve (white backing) that a fabric vertical blind is inserted to give the vane a solid vinyl backing. It pairs the height and weight of vinyl with the stylish appearance of fabric. |
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| Cloth Tape |
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Runs vertically along the blind, and holds the slats together. It is available in a variety of cotton twill and decorative cloths, and replaces the standard cord ladder. |
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| Contempo Hem |
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A decorative hem for a roller shade that allows the fabric to be wrapped around an aluminum rail and enclosed with end caps for a clean and contemporary finish. The aluminum rail also adds weight which allows the shade to hang flatly. |
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| Continuous Loop |
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| Continuous Valance |
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| A single valance covering two or more blinds. |
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| Controls |
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| Cords, wands (plastic mechanisms that are twisted to open or close blinds), or chains that allow you to open, close, tilt, raise, or lower blinds. |
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| Control Locations |
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| The position of the cord, wand, or chain that controls the product. Standard placement is on the right side, but they can be located on either side. |
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| Cord Cleat |
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| A small plastic anchor that attaches to your wall and holds excess cord. |
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| Cord Lock |
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| The mechanism that acts as a "brake", locking shades, e.g. honeycomb shades, at a desired position. |
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| Cornices |
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A decorative board, often molded or painted, that is attached to the top of a window to create an architectural finish. It can be used with or without a curtain. |
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| Cut-Out |
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| Door shutter is cut to allow room for a levered handle. |
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| Decorative Hem |
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An optional upgrade on roller shades. They come in a wide variety of designs, some with fringe and some with accent rods. A straight hem is standard. |
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| Decorative Valance |
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| An optional upgrade on most products that adds a decorative element. A basic valance comes standard. |
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| Depth |
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| The distance from the front of edge of a window to the back, or pane of glass. This is the mounting space within the window. |
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| Diffusion |
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| A method of controlling the light entering through the window, where the window covering bends the light entering it, causing it to disperse. |
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| Divider Rail |
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Stationary piece of wood that separates top louvers from bottom louvers. This feature allows the user to open top louvers to allow light to come through without compromising privacy. |
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| Drapery |
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| Fabric hung from a number of hooks. These hooks are often attached to a mechanical rod, allowing the fabric to be drawn open or closed. |
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| Duofold |
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An operating option that allows more privacy by giving users a choice of opening window shades from the bottom up (the traditional method), or from the top down (permitting light to enter without giving up any privacy). |
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| Easylift Headrail |
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An operating mechanism that uses looped cords instead of tassels to make wider shades easier to raise and lower. The Easylift can be used on all shade widths, but is recommended for widths greater than 72 inches. |
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| Edge Binding |
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| Solid and decorative edge bindings give natural roman shades and panel tracks a more tailored finish that accent, contrast or add pattern. |
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| Euro Pleat Fabric Panel |
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A fabric panel style with tri-fold gathered pleats and mounted with rings or on a traverse rod. |
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| Extension Brackets |
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| Optional brackets that are used in order to clear any obstructions a window may have (door knobs, trim, etc). |
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| Fabric Panel |
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| Fabric can be hung directly on a rod, usually to floor- or sill-length. The panels are opened or closed by pushing the fabric along the rod. They are available in various styles. |
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| Factory Deduction |
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| The factory automatically trims off a certain amount of an inside-mount blind or shade to ensure that it will fit. The amount taken off varies depending on the product. |
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| Finials |
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| The fixtures attached to or added to the end of a curtain rod for decoration. Finials were originally intended to prevent curtains from sliding off. |
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| First Tier Outside Mount |
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A point of measurement. For width, the outer edge of innermost flat surface on left to same on right. For length, the top edge of the innermost flat surface to sill. |
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| Flush Inside Mount |
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| The product fits completely inside the window frame, flush against it, when installed. A minimum depth is needed, which varies depending on the product. Also called a recessed mount. |
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| Free Hanging |
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| The vanes on vertical blinds are not inserted or placed in clear plastic sleeves. They are allowed to hang freely and often have a small weight in their hem to keep the fabric taut. |
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| Gimp |
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| A narrow flat braid or rounded cord of fabric used for trimming. |
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| Glencoe Fabric Shade |
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A flat fabric shade style featuring gentle folds that stack neatly when raised. |
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| Hampshire Fabric Valance |
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A fabric valance with clean lines; perfect for layering over shades, blinds or panels. |
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| Headrail |
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| The top of a shade or blind that holds the components for operation. |
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| Heat Transfer |
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| The amount of heat that travels from the inside of the window to the outside, or vice versa. Used to determine energy efficiency: the lower the heat transfer, the more a product can lower energy costs. |
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| Height |
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| The distance from the top to the bottom of the window. Can include the window frame or not, depending on whether it is inside mount or outside mount. |
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| Hobbled |
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| Horizontal pleats are added to the fabric of roman shades for fullness. |
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| Holdback |
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A decorative metal ornament attached to the woodwork on one side or both sides of the window, used for holding curtains back when they are pulled open. |
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| Hold-Down Bracket or Clip |
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| Optional brackets that secure the bottom rail, and keep it from swinging out or being raised. Often used on doors. |
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| Honeycomb shade |
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A style of pleated, fabric shades comprised of honeycomb-shaded cells. |
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| Horizontal Blind |
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| A blind in which the slats run horizontally, rather than vertically, and can be tilted and lifted. |
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| Inside Mount |
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A point of measurement at the innermost part of the window frame where a window treatment is being mounted. |
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| L |
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| L-Bracket |
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| An L-shaped metal bracket used to mount products to walls, window trims, or moldings. Also called an Angle Iron. |
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| Ladders |
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| Cording that runs vertically through a horizontal blind, holding the slats together. |
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| Looped Control |
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Offers alternative functionality to the spring loaded roller.; allows you to raise and lower your shade with the smooth operation of a continuous cord loop. |
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| Lift Cord |
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| The cord that raises and lowers the blind. |
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| Louver |
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Movable wood or vinyl horizontal slats in a framed opening. |
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| Mini-Blinds |
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| Miter |
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| The technique of using a diagonal seam to join two pieces together at a corner. Used on valances. |
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| Motorized Blinds |
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| Eliminates the need for controls. Rather, the blind can be raised, lowered, or tilted using a remote, wall switch, or preset timer. |
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| Mounting Bracket |
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| Plastic or metal devices that are used to attach your product to the wall, window frame, or molding. |
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| Mullion |
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| A vertical strip of wood that divides the panels of glass in a window. |
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| Natural Roman Shades |
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A natural woven wood shade made from bamboo or grasses. |
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| One-Way Stack |
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| Vertical blinds that open in only one direction, and stack on one side. |
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| Opaque |
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| A term used to describe window treatments that do not allow light through their fabric. |
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| Outside Mount |
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A point of measurement, typically the outer edge of the beveled trim of a window. |
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| Over-Treatment |
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| A window covering on top of another one. For example, a shade covered by a fabric panel, or a fabric valance over top of a blind. |
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| Panels |
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| Fabric hung on a rod, with or without rings, typically as a decorative accessory to a window treatment. |
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| Pinch Pleat Fabric Panel |
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A fabric panel style with French pleats and mounted with rings or on a traverse rod. |
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| Pleated Shades |
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Similar to honeycomb shades, these are made of fabric with evenly spaced horizontal pleats. Vertical cords can be seen running through them. They are a less expensive alternative to honeycomb shades. |
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| Projection |
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| The distance that a window covering extends into the room, away from the wall. |
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| R-Value |
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| Similar to heat transfer, this measures a product's ability resist heat loss. The better the R-value, the more insular and energy efficient the product is. |
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| Recess |
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| The opening in which the window has been installed. |
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| Repeat |
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| The distance from where the design starts, to where it starts a second time. |
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| Return |
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| The part of a curtain or valance that wraps back to the wall. |
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| Reverse Roll |
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| Standard Roller Shades have the fabric rolling off the back of the shade. Reverse Roll shades have the fabric rolling off the front of the shades. This application is usually chosen with blackout materials so that the different color blackout material will not show on the roll ( roll and body fabric will match). |
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| Rod-Pocket Panel |
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A panel with a pocket along the top, giving a contemporary style that fits directly over wood or iron rods. |
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| Roller Shade |
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| A simple cylinder shade that can be operated by spring, beaded chain, or cord loop, and coils up when raised. |
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| Roller Shade Width |
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| The roller shade fabrics are trimmed 1 3/8'' narrower than the width you order, a process that ensures smooth operation, but creates a small light gap. For this reason, we strongly recommend a full outside mount. |
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| Room Darkening Aluminum Blinds |
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These sleek blinds feature invisible routing holes and greater slat overlap to block the maximum amount of light when blinds are closed. |
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| Route Holes |
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| The small holes in standard slats that the ladder cord runs through. |
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| Semi-Opaque |
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| Filtered light can get through these treatments, but they cannot be seen through and provide privacy. Also called Light Filtering. |
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| Semi-Sheer |
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| These products allow more light filtration than opaque, but more privacy than sheer. |
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| Shades |
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| A window covering made of material that rolls, gathers, or folds vertically up or down. |
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| Sheers |
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| Shutters |
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| Horizontal wood or vinyl slats that may be tilted to allow some light in, or opened completely. |
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| Slat |
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| The individual rows of wood, pvc, or aluminum that comprise a blind. |
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| Soft Roman Shades |
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A fabric shade backed with narrow horizontal rods. The rods enable the shade to form a series of tailored folds when the shade is raised. Can be ordered in a flat or teardrop style. |
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| Soft Treatments |
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| Window treatments that serve a primarily decorative purpose, such as draperies, cornices, valances, or swags. |
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| Spacers |
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| Used to provide additional space between the blind and the surface it is being mounted to. Commonly used to install blinds over a raised trim. Only available with outside mount, or when mount above the window frame. |
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| Split Stack |
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| Vertical blinds open in the middle of the window, and stack on both sides of the window. |
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| Spring Roller Lift |
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The standard lift device on roller shades. Shades are raised by pulling lightly on the bottom of the fabric, and lowered by simply pulling them down. No controls are needed. |
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| Stack |
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| The space that is taken up by the slats when the blinds are fully open. For vertical blinds, the stack can be on either to the right or left side or both (center open stack). If it is on the right side, the blinds will open towards the right, and vice versa. For horizontal blinds, the stack is usually on top, but can be on the bottom if the blinds are top-down (instead of raising blinds to open them, you lower the tops). Also called Stack Height. |
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| Stonehaven Fabric Shade |
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A fabric shade style with a hobbled look that created an abundant, rich-looking shade. |
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| Swag |
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| A piece of fabric at the top of the window that falls loops loosely around a pole multiple times. |
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| Swivel Brackets |
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| Hardware that allows shades to be mounted into shallow recess. |
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| Tab Top Fabric Panel |
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A fabric panel style where tabs are constructed separately and sewn into the top seam. |
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| Thornhill Fabric Shade |
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A formal fabric shade style made with center poufs and tails. |
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| Three-on-One Headrail |
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| A blind with three independently operating blinds on the same headrail. |
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| Tiebacks |
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| A piece of fabric that attaches to the wall on either side of a window and secures the draperies. |
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| Tilter |
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| A cord, wand, or chain that controls the angle of the slats on both horizontal and vertical blinds. |
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| Top-Down/Bottom-Up |
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| Tubular Bottomrails |
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| A functional and decorative element which "weights" the bottom if a blind, and enhances synchronized slat movement. |
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| Two-on-One Headrail |
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| A blind with two independently operating blinds on the same headrail, separated by an 1/8" between the two. |
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| Under-Treatment |
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| A window covering placed under another one to create a layered look. Similar to an over-treatment. |
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| Unpleated Ring Top Fabric Panel |
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A pleated fabric panel with rings placed 9" to 11" apart. |
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| Valance |
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| A decorative element that is typically used to conceal the operating mechanism of a window treatment. |
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| Valance Clip |
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| Used to attach the valance to the window coverings. |
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| Vane |
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| Vertical louvers or slats on vertical blinds. |
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| Vertical Blinds |
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| Window coverings that have vertical slats. They can be opened from the center towards both sides, or from one side towards the other. They can also be tilted open or closed. |
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| Wall Mount |
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| A type of installation for vertical blinds. The headrail is mounted on the wall or trim surrounding the window or door. |
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| Weston Fabric Valance |
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A fabric valance with a soft curve accented by two inverted pleats on each corner. |
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| Wexford Fabric Valance |
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A fabric valance with simple styling and inverted pleats that are placed up to 27" apart. |
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| Width |
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| The distance from one side to the other of a window. It can include the window frame or not, depending on whether it is inside or outside mount. |
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| Wood Blinds |
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The slats of these blinds are made of wood or PVC. They are both long lasting and good natural insulators. |
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