Transform Your Home: Your Friendly Guide to Aluminium Venetian Blinds – Perfect for Argos Shoppers!
Are you considering updating your windows with a stylish, practical, and incredibly versatile solution? If so, aluminium Venetian blinds might be exactly what you’re looking for! These popular window dressings offer an unbeatable combination of light control, privacy, and modern aesthetics, making them a fantastic choice for any room in your home.
Often found at popular retailers, these blinds are a go-to for many UK homeowners due to their durability and ease of maintenance. But whether you’re a seasoned DIY enthusiast or just starting your home improvement journey, the thought of measuring and fitting new blinds can sometimes feel a little daunting. Don’t worry! This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know, ensuring your new aluminium Venetian blinds look perfect and function flawlessly.
Why Choose Aluminium Venetian Blinds?
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let’s quickly recap why these blinds are such a smart choice for your home:
- Exceptional Light Control: The adjustable slats allow you to precisely manage the amount of natural light entering your room. Tilt them open for a bright space, angle them to deflect harsh sun, or close them completely for maximum darkness.
- Superior Privacy: With a simple tilt, you can block the view from outside without sacrificing all your natural light. This makes them ideal for bedrooms and bathrooms.
- Durability and Longevity: Made from robust aluminium, these blinds are resistant to warping, fading, and rust, making them perfect for kitchens and bathrooms where humidity can be an issue.
- Easy to Clean: Unlike fabric blinds, aluminium Venetian blinds can be simply wiped down with a damp cloth, making them a hygienic and low-maintenance option.
- Modern Aesthetic: Their sleek lines and metallic finish add a contemporary touch to any décor, available in a wide array of colours to match your style.
- Affordable and Accessible: They offer great value for money and are widely available, making them a convenient option for any budget.
Getting Started: Measuring Up for Perfection
Accurate measuring is the single most important step when it comes to ordering and fitting your new blinds. Get this right, and the rest is a breeze! There are two main ways to measure, depending on how you want your blinds to sit:
Option 1: Inside the Window Recess (Most Common)
This method means your blind will fit neatly within the window frame, giving a clean, minimalist look.
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Measure the Width:
- Use a metal tape measure.
- Measure the exact width of the recess in three different places: top, middle, and bottom.
- Write down the smallest measurement. This is your “recess width.”
- Do NOT make any deductions. The blind manufacturer will typically make a small deduction (usually 1cm-1.5cm) from this measurement to ensure a perfect fit within the recess and allow for operating mechanisms.
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Measure the Drop (Height):
- Measure the exact height of the recess in three different places: left, middle, and right.
- Write down the smallest measurement. This is your “recess drop.”
- Again, do NOT make any deductions.
Option 2: Outside the Window Recess (Face Fix)
Choosing to fit outside the recess gives the illusion of a larger window and can help block out more light, as the blind will overlap the window opening.
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Measure the Width:
- Decide how much you want the blind to overlap the window recess on each side. A common recommendation is to add 7-10cm to each side (so 14-20cm total).
- Measure the exact width of the window recess.
- Add your chosen overlap amount to this measurement. This is your “exact blind width.”
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Measure the Drop (Height):
- Decide how much you want the blind to overlap above and below the window recess. A common recommendation is to add 7-10cm above and below (so 14-20cm total).
- Measure the exact drop of the window recess.
- Add your chosen overlap amount to this measurement. This is your “exact blind drop.”
Key Measuring Tips to Remember:
- Always use a metal tape measure. Fabric ones can stretch and give inaccurate readings.
- Measure twice, order once! Seriously, take your time and double-check every measurement. A small error can lead to big problems.
- Consider obstructions. Check for window handles, tiles, or other objects that might interfere with the blind’s operation or fitting. If there are obstructions, you may need to adjust your measurements or consider an outside recess fit.
- Note the measurements clearly. Label them width and drop for each window.
Installation Guide: Putting Up Your Blinds Like a Pro
Once your beautifully measured blinds arrive, it’s time for the fun part: installation! Most aluminium Venetian blinds are designed for straightforward DIY fitting.
Tools You’ll Likely Need:
- Pencil
- Tape Measure
- Spirit Level
- Drill (with appropriate drill bits for your wall type – wood, masonry, etc.)
- Screwdriver (Phillips head usually)
- Safety Goggles (always a good idea when drilling!)
Step-by-Step Installation:
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Unpack and Check: Carefully unbox your blinds. Lay out all the components and check against the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure everything is there. Familiarize yourself with the brackets, headrail, and any child safety devices.
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Position the Brackets:
- Inside Recess: Hold the headrail (the top part of the blind) inside the recess where you want it to sit. Use your spirit level to ensure it’s perfectly level. Mark the position for the bracket holes on the top of the recess (or the side if side-fixing). You’ll typically have two or three brackets, one at each end and one in the middle for wider blinds.
- Outside Recess: Hold the headrail above the window frame, centred according to your measurements. Again, use a spirit level to ensure it’s perfectly level. Mark the bracket positions on the wall or architrave. Ensure the brackets will be securely fixed into solid material, not just plasterboard if possible.
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Drill Pilot Holes:
- Using your pencil marks, drill pilot holes for the screws. Use a drill bit slightly smaller than the screws provided. If drilling into masonry, you’ll need a masonry drill bit and wall plugs.
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Fix the Brackets:
- Align the brackets with your pilot holes and securely screw them into place. Ensure they are firm and stable.
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Attach the Blind:
- Most aluminium Venetian blinds simply clip or slot into the installed brackets. Angle the headrail, push it up into the brackets, and then snap the retaining clips or levers shut to lock it in place. You should hear a satisfying click.
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Install the Wand/Cord Mechanism:
- Attach the control wand (for tilting slats) and/or the pull cord (for raising/lowering) according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
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Implement Child Safety Devices:
- This is CRUCIAL. All new blinds come with child safety devices to secure cords and chains out of reach of young children and pets. This might be a cleat for cords or a tensioner for continuous loop chains. Always install these devices as instructed. Fasten them securely to the wall at a safe height (typically 1.5m from the floor).
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Test and Adjust:
- Operate the blind fully: raise it, lower it, and tilt the slats. Ensure everything works smoothly. Make any final adjustments to the slat angle if needed.
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
- Incorrect Measuring: As emphasized, this is the biggest pitfall. Always measure twice!
- Ignoring Obstructions: Forgetting to check for window handles, deep sills, or other items that might prevent the blind from operating freely.
- Not Using a Spirit Level: A crooked blind will stand out like a sore thumb. Always use a spirit level.
- Skipping Child Safety Devices: This is a non-negotiable safety requirement. Never omit child safety features.
- Using the Wrong Drill Bit/Fixings: Drilling into plasterboard without appropriate wall plugs or using a drill bit not suited for your wall type can lead to loose fittings.
- Rushing the Process: Take your time, read the instructions carefully, and don’t rush. Patience pays off with a professional-looking finish.
Caring for Your Aluminium Venetian Blinds
One of the great advantages of aluminium Venetian blinds is their low maintenance.
- Regular Dusting: For day-to-day cleaning, simply dust the slats regularly with a duster or a soft brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner.
- Deeper Clean: For a more thorough clean, tilt the slats almost shut and wipe them down with a damp cloth (microfiber works well) and a mild detergent solution if necessary. Repeat on the other side.
- Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Do not use abrasive cleaners or harsh chemicals, as these can damage the finish.
Ready for Your Home Transformation?
Aluminium Venetian blinds are a fantastic investment for any home, offering a blend of style, functionality, and durability that’s hard to beat. By following these simple steps for measuring and fitting, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying beautifully dressed windows that provide perfect light control and privacy. With a little care and attention to detail, your new blinds will enhance your living space for years to come. Happy decorating!
FAQ
Q. Are ‘aluminium venetian blinds’ readily available at Argos?
A. Yes, Argos frequently stocks a wide range of aluminium venetian blinds, offering various standard sizes and colours to suit different window dimensions and interior designs. You can typically find them available for home delivery or collection in-store, subject to local stock levels.
Q. What are the key benefits of choosing aluminium venetian blinds from Argos?
A. Aluminium venetian blinds offer several advantages, including their durability, moisture resistance (making them suitable for kitchens and bathrooms), excellent light control through adjustable slats, and a sleek, modern aesthetic. They are also relatively easy to clean and maintain.
Q. What range of sizes and colours can I expect when purchasing these blinds from Argos?
A. Argos typically offers aluminium venetian blinds in a variety of common widths and drops to fit most standard window sizes. While specific stock varies, you can generally find popular colours such as white, silver, grey, and black, along with occasional bolder shades, to complement different decor schemes.
Q. How easy are aluminium venetian blinds from Argos to install?
A. Most aluminium venetian blinds sold at Argos are designed for straightforward DIY installation. They usually come with all necessary fittings and clear instructions, making them relatively simple to mount inside or outside the window recess with basic tools like a drill and screwdriver.
Q. Are these blinds effective for light control and privacy?
A. Yes, aluminium venetian blinds are highly effective for both light control and privacy. Their adjustable horizontal slats can be tilted to direct sunlight, reduce glare, or block out light almost entirely. When fully closed, they offer significant privacy, making them a popular choice for any room.
Q. How do I clean and maintain my aluminium venetian blinds purchased from Argos?
A. Cleaning aluminium venetian blinds is quite simple. For regular maintenance, you can dust them with a soft cloth, a duster, or the brush attachment of a vacuum cleaner. For deeper cleaning, wipe the slats with a damp cloth soaked in mild soapy water, then dry them thoroughly to prevent water marks.
Q. Are aluminium venetian blinds from Argos suitable for high-moisture environments like bathrooms or kitchens?
A. Absolutely. One of the main benefits of aluminium is its natural resistance to moisture and rust. This makes aluminium venetian blinds an excellent choice for bathrooms, kitchens, or any other area prone to humidity, as they won’t warp or degrade like some other materials.