FAQ's PVC Vertical Blinds
We have put together a list of some of the most frequently and popular asked questions to help you, but if you don't see the question you require answering then contact us and we will be happy to assist you.
Where does PVC come from?
All Monometers and Polymers come from petroleum and are hydrocarbons compounds sometimes fabricated from the residuals from fabrication of fuels. A Polymer is a large molecule formed of repeating radicals connected by covalent bonds. They are not only plastics they are different type of materials each one with different characteristics.
There are polymers that exist natural, such as cellulose, which is the main constituent of wood paper. Also amber, shellac, and rubber have been known by men from many years.
PVC is a man made polymer (Poly Vinyl Chloride). Its name: Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC). Is a solid plastic material, which presents itself in its original form as a white powder. It is manufactured through polymerisation of the vinyl chloride monomer (VCM), which, in turn, is obtained from salt and oil. It has been patented as a synthetic fibre more than 80 years ago and it came into the market in 1931.
Presently, annual world demand is about 32 million tons being 26 percent out of which is used in Western Europe, making PVC one of the plastics most in demand. Due to its harmlessness, PVC is used in applications requiring very high levels of purity and quality, such as food, hospitals where PVC performance has met with wide approval.
Who manufactures the PVC?
In Europe there is one single PVC producer: Companhia Industrial de Resinas Sintéticas, CIRES, S.A., located in Estarreja Portugal with a annual capacity of 200 thousand tons. Cires subscribed to the Responsible Care Programme – an active and public commitment undertaken by companies for the continuous progress of their activities as regards safety, health and environment. This programme is coordinated in each country by the corresponding Chemical Federation.
How long does PVC last?
It is mainly used in long-term applications like: Pipes, windows, doors, furniture, etc. Its useful life goes from 15 to 100 years.
Like most of the plastics, PVC does not degrade or dilute in water either. It does not rot, which is an advantage, as this makes it the most appropriate material for medium to long-term applications. The fact that PVC is harmless, based upon more than fifty years of experience, makes it the correct material for medical, sanitarian and food applications, which require a high standard of purity and quality.
Is PVC Flame Retardant?
PVC is not inflammable. It is classified as a flame retardant by insurance companies, as well as by European and North American entities. Compared with other alternative materials PVC performs better.
How do I order my blinds?
Once you've measured your windows and selected the style, range and colour of window blinds you want, simply input your measurements in the price quote to get an instant price of your selected blinds, and make payment. It's easy as that. We will then email you your confirmation order details with your made to measure reference number, process your order and begin production on your custom window blinds. Or if you prefer, call us on 01862 -842233 to place your order and we can answer any questions you may have.
When will I receive my PVC Blinds, Vertical Fabric Blinds or Wood Blinds?
In most cases, we will ship your window blinds 7-12 business days after your order has been placed. Dispatch times vary with which product you have selected as with PVC blinds they can take 10 working days, Discounted fabric blinds are usually 4-5 working days to complete.
How will my window blinds be delivered?
Your PVC Vertical Blinds, wood blinds or vertical fabric blinds will be sent via DX, DPD, FedX, TNT or National carrier unless otherwise specified. For any delivery questions, please contact us on 01862-842233.
There are polymers that exist natural, such as cellulose, which is the main constituent of wood paper. Also amber, shellac, and rubber have been known by men from many years.
PVC is a man made polymer (Poly Vinyl Chloride). Its name: Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC). Is a solid plastic material, which presents itself in its original form as a white powder. It is manufactured through polymerisation of the vinyl chloride monomer (VCM), which, in turn, is obtained from salt and oil. It has been patented as a synthetic fibre more than 80 years ago and it came into the market in 1931.
Presently, annual world demand is about 32 million tons being 26 percent out of which is used in Western Europe, making PVC one of the plastics most in demand. Due to its harmlessness, PVC is used in applications requiring very high levels of purity and quality, such as food, hospitals where PVC performance has met with wide approval.
Who manufactures the PVC?
In Europe there is one single PVC producer: Companhia Industrial de Resinas Sintéticas, CIRES, S.A., located in Estarreja Portugal with a annual capacity of 200 thousand tons. Cires subscribed to the Responsible Care Programme – an active and public commitment undertaken by companies for the continuous progress of their activities as regards safety, health and environment. This programme is coordinated in each country by the corresponding Chemical Federation.
How long does PVC last?
It is mainly used in long-term applications like: Pipes, windows, doors, furniture, etc. Its useful life goes from 15 to 100 years.
Like most of the plastics, PVC does not degrade or dilute in water either. It does not rot, which is an advantage, as this makes it the most appropriate material for medium to long-term applications. The fact that PVC is harmless, based upon more than fifty years of experience, makes it the correct material for medical, sanitarian and food applications, which require a high standard of purity and quality.
Is PVC Flame Retardant?
PVC is not inflammable. It is classified as a flame retardant by insurance companies, as well as by European and North American entities. Compared with other alternative materials PVC performs better.
How do I order my blinds?
Once you've measured your windows and selected the style, range and colour of window blinds you want, simply input your measurements in the price quote to get an instant price of your selected blinds, and make payment. It's easy as that. We will then email you your confirmation order details with your made to measure reference number, process your order and begin production on your custom window blinds. Or if you prefer, call us on 01862 -842233 to place your order and we can answer any questions you may have.
When will I receive my PVC Blinds, Vertical Fabric Blinds or Wood Blinds?
In most cases, we will ship your window blinds 7-12 business days after your order has been placed. Dispatch times vary with which product you have selected as with PVC blinds they can take 10 working days, Discounted fabric blinds are usually 4-5 working days to complete.
How will my window blinds be delivered?
Your PVC Vertical Blinds, wood blinds or vertical fabric blinds will be sent via DX, DPD, FedX, TNT or National carrier unless otherwise specified. For any delivery questions, please contact us on 01862-842233.
Please Note:
• Delivery outside of the United Kingdom and Europe or to APO or FPO addresses is not available.
• Deliveries of blinds and shades to Southern Ireland will incur an extra delivery cost. Please contact us for a quote.
• Window Blinds cannot be delivered to P.O. boxes.
How do you calculate delivery costs for my blinds?
Delivery of your blinds is *FREE when your blinds order is £150 or more. (*except for oversize items) Up to this amount there is a basic charge of £15.25 per order (not per blind) except where noted below.
Oversize items:
Horizontal or vertical blinds over 3 metres and vertical blinds 3 metres long or longer are oversized items and incur an additional carriage cost of £35 per order. These custom blind orders are delivered by one of our reputable professional carriers.
What if I want to change or cancel my order?
You may change or cancel your order within 24 hours of placing it. After 24 hours, production of your custom made-to-measure blinds begins, so we cannot make changes. To change or cancel an order, please call us 01862-842233. Please note: Changes or cancellations cannot be made on "rush" orders because they go into production immediately.
What if I want to return my blinds?
If we made an error on your blinds, we will fix the blinds immediately at no charge and deliver them to you via carrier. If you made an error in your order, unfortunately we cannot issue a return or refund because the blinds are custom-made to fit the windows in your home, according to the measurements you provided. We do our best to minimise the possibility of errors by helping you measure your windows accurately and by offering a sample so you can see what your blinds will look and feel like before you order.
If I request a sample before I order my blinds, is there a charge for the sample?
Yes, there is a £4.75 charge for a sample order. We charge separately for samples instead of building the cost into the price of the blinds so that customers who buy blinds don't bear the cost of those who request samples but don't purchase. The cost of the sample is deducted when you place an order for any blinds within 21 days after receiving the samples and return them to us.
What if my blinds are damaged or defective when I receive them?
If your blinds are damaged or defective when you receive them, please contact us immediately on 01862-842233 to speak to us. All factory errors will be fixed at no charge.
We will send you replacement parts or replacement blinds.
Are the blinds covered by a warranty?
Yes, all our blinds come with a full 1 year warranty. Each product comes with a 12 months warranty from the date of purchase. This warranty does not apply to any defect caused by improper installation, alteration, abuse, misuse or exposure to excess moisture. This warranty does not cover normal wear and tear, such as the natural deterioration of fabric and changes in colour that take place over time.
Are there any safety issues I should be aware of with my new blinds?
Infants and young children should be kept away from the cords of window blinds. It takes only a few seconds for a child to become entangled in the cord, which can lead to strangulation. Window blinds manufactured before 2001 could represent a strangulation hazard to children. The Window Covering Safety Council urges you to check and childproof all window coverings and window areas in your home. Older blinds should be replaced with newer, safer ones or should be retrofitted with a safety cleat to make them safer.
Do we sell blackout blinds?
We have a selection of Blackout Roller blinds and Vertical blinds which are great for shading out the light.
Do you supply screws and wall plugs?
We do not provide screws and wall plugs as everybody’s situation requires different screws. The type and length of screw required depends on the material you are attaching the blind to (i.e. wood, concrete, metal, drywall etc). We recommend you obtain your screws and plugs from reputable DIY stores.
How do I decide what size of Blind I need?
Please see our comprehensive measuring guide.
Take a good look at the window where you are planning to fit the blind. The windows may open inwards therefore the blind will have to be fitted further away from the window in the recess or even on the outside of the window. This also applies to handles. Watch out for anything that will stop the blind from operating correctly, like curtains, dado rails or tiles. Always take the smallest measurement otherwise the blind won’t work correctly.
Will the colour samples on the web site match my blind when it arrives?
We try wherever possible to get the colour match and texture of the blind correct however computer monitors vary in colour and we cannot guarantee that the colour on your screen will be the same as the blind you order. We recommend ordering a sample; that way you can see what the colour will be like.
How are my blinds delivered?
All our blinds are delivered by courier. Please see our Terms and Conditions for full details.
Could you deliver my blinds to a different address?
Yes, when you place your order please state within the message section that you require your order to be delivered to another address, or you may wish to contact us immediately and advise us of the delivery address. This can be your own address or a different address. This can happen if you are working or away on business. Please see our terms and conditions for full details.
How long will it take for my blinds to arrive?
We always estimate 10-14 working days for your blinds to be delivered, however sometimes there may be unforeseen circumstances but we would advise you of this as soon as possible. Many times we can deliver within 7 working days if your order is for Headrails or mainly just Replacement Slats for Vertical Blinds
Can I return my blinds after I have ordered them?
All our blinds are custom made-to-measure and to your individual specifications and therefore once an order is placed you cannot cancel it. Returns will only be accepted if the goods are faulty.
What if my blind doesn’t fit the window?
If you have ordered more than one window blind in the same PVC or fabric colour, check that you are fitting the correct blind in the correct window. If your blind still does not fit email us to discuss how we can help you.
What do I do if my blinds become faulty within the first 12 months?
Contact us and explain what the problem is as we will try to solve this over the phone. If not your blind will be covered under the 12 months guarantee. We will arrange for collection and repair it free of charge.
What type of blinds would best suit my bathroom?
Bathrooms tend to become steamy. It is therefore best to choose a blind that can cope with these conditions. PVC Vertical Blinds or blackout roller blinds are ideal for most bathrooms and kitchens.
The louvres of my vertical blinds are not in line with each other. What can I do?
This is easily rectified. Pull the control chain until the slats are in the closed position, then gently force the chain and the carriages will realign themselves. Don’t worry if you hear a noise from the headrail - this is perfectly normal. The components in the headrail are self-aligning and therefore can complete the operation.
What if I can’t see what I am looking for on your web site?
Just call us on 01862-842233 and we will be happy to help you further.
I want a larger size blind than your maximum size. What do I do?
Just contact us on 01862-842233 and we will be more than happy to discuss your options with you.
I need to match a colour with the blind. What do I do?
We suggest finding a colour that best matches your requirements and order a sample to check if this is the correct colour.
Will my blind be the same colour as my sample?
All our blinds are made from the same stock so your sample will match your chosen blind. Please remember that wooden blinds are a natural product so there may be a slight variation in the colour, unlike faux wood blinds which can be the same exact colour.
What is the difference between exact and recess?
When you place an order for a made-to-measure blinds you will be asked if the measurements are 'exact' or 'recess'. An exact blind will be made to precisely the measurement you have entered onto the price quote.
A recess measurement is required for a blind you would like to fit into the recess of your window. Measure the recess from wall to wall and give us these measurements. We will make all the necessary adjustments to ensure a perfect fit. This usually means we will deduct 6 -10mm from the drop of your blind and approx 10mm on the width. With roller blinds we also have to make allowances for the fittings at either end of the blind as there is no headrail. This means we have to deduct 30mm of the fabric for an exact measurement and 35mm for a recess measurement.
Please see our measuring guide.
What type of wood are the wooden blinds made of?
Wood Venetians are made from basswood that is grown in sustained and managed forests. This is perfect for Venetian blinds because of its strength and flexibility. The wood is kiln dried, which stabilises it, cut into slats and then stained to a specific colour. Because of the nature of the wood you may experience slight warping of the vanes.
How do I fit my blinds?
Please see our installation guide for the type of blind you have purchased.
Can I fit blinds into a square bay window?
Yes, you can. Please see our measuring guide and follow the instructions.
Contact us and explain what the problem is as we will try to solve this over the phone. If not your blind will be covered under the 12 months guarantee. We will arrange for collection and repair it free of charge.
What type of blinds would best suit my bathroom?
Bathrooms tend to become steamy. It is therefore best to choose a blind that can cope with these conditions. PVC Vertical Blinds or blackout roller blinds are ideal for most bathrooms and kitchens.
The louvres of my vertical blinds are not in line with each other. What can I do?
This is easily rectified. Pull the control chain until the slats are in the closed position, then gently force the chain and the carriages will realign themselves. Don’t worry if you hear a noise from the headrail - this is perfectly normal. The components in the headrail are self-aligning and therefore can complete the operation.
What if I can’t see what I am looking for on your web site?
Just call us on 01862-842233 and we will be happy to help you further.
I want a larger size blind than your maximum size. What do I do?
Just contact us on 01862-842233 and we will be more than happy to discuss your options with you.
I need to match a colour with the blind. What do I do?
We suggest finding a colour that best matches your requirements and order a sample to check if this is the correct colour.
Will my blind be the same colour as my sample?
All our blinds are made from the same stock so your sample will match your chosen blind. Please remember that wooden blinds are a natural product so there may be a slight variation in the colour, unlike faux wood blinds which can be the same exact colour.
What is the difference between exact and recess?
When you place an order for a made-to-measure blinds you will be asked if the measurements are 'exact' or 'recess'. An exact blind will be made to precisely the measurement you have entered onto the price quote.
A recess measurement is required for a blind you would like to fit into the recess of your window. Measure the recess from wall to wall and give us these measurements. We will make all the necessary adjustments to ensure a perfect fit. This usually means we will deduct 6 -10mm from the drop of your blind and approx 10mm on the width. With roller blinds we also have to make allowances for the fittings at either end of the blind as there is no headrail. This means we have to deduct 30mm of the fabric for an exact measurement and 35mm for a recess measurement.
Please see our measuring guide.
What type of wood are the wooden blinds made of?
Wood Venetians are made from basswood that is grown in sustained and managed forests. This is perfect for Venetian blinds because of its strength and flexibility. The wood is kiln dried, which stabilises it, cut into slats and then stained to a specific colour. Because of the nature of the wood you may experience slight warping of the vanes.
How do I fit my blinds?
Please see our installation guide for the type of blind you have purchased.
Can I fit blinds into a square bay window?
Yes, you can. Please see our measuring guide and follow the instructions.
