Pleated blinds are a type of window covering made from a single piece of fabric. These pleated fabric shades serve as an affordable alternative to traditional honeycomb or cellular blinds. While these other types of shades consist of an air-filled cavity sandwiched between two pieces of fabric, pleated blinds feature a single layer of material folded in a accordion shape. When viewed from the front, these blinds look very similar, and both offer a highly-textured appearance.
Buyers can choose from several types of pleated blinds, which can be distinguished based on how they are operated. The majority of these shades feature a cord woven between each pleat. Users pull the cord to raise the blind, which stacks the pleats into a neat, compact pile. Cordless units feature a hidden cord woven into the fabric, and are often operated using a built-in motor. These cordless units are particularly well suited for hard-to-reach windows. All pleated blind models may operate using a top-down or bottom-up motion to allow for maximum control over privacy and light levels within the home.
These blinds are available in many colors and finishes to match any type of home decor. Light-colored shades provide privacy while still allowing plenty of natural light into the home. Darker colors help to reduce light levels, which can be useful for reducing glare on television and computer screens. Some pleated blinds are even equipped with special liners that allow the blind to serve as a blackout shade. These blinds provide a high degree of privacy, as well as maximum control over light levels in the home.
One of the primary advantages associated with pleated blinds is their low cost, especially when compared to cellular shades. Their fabric construction allows these shades to balance privacy needs with the desire for natural light, but still gives users a great deal of control. The pleated texture of these types of blinds also helps to soften light, which helps to create a softer, gentler tone within a space. Finally, the pleats on these blinds provide a higher level of texture than smooth blinds, but do not have the same harsh lines as traditional vinyl or wooden blinds.
Like other window coverings, pleated blinds equipped with cords can be a safety hazard for children, and should be used with care. Another potential drawback to these shades is that they do not block light as effectively as cellular blinds. These blinds are also unable to reduce heat transfer into the home in the same manner as a honeycomb or cellular shade.