Venetian blinds

Venetian blinds consist of a stack of thin slats suspended on guide rails or tapes. A crank, strap or electric motor raises and lowers the stack, and the slats also tilt around their axis. This tilt is the key advantage: you can direct daylight into the room without fully losing the view outside, while still being shielded from prying eyes.

They are operated manually or by motor, often integrated into a control system with wind and sun sensors. When wind picks up, exterior blinds retract automatically to avoid damage – important because they are exposed to the weather. Interior versions are simpler but offer less heat protection, since the warmth is already behind the glass.

Venetian blinds are used wherever sun, heat and visibility need flexible control: living rooms, offices, bedrooms or glazed façades. They help keep rooms cool in summer and reduce cooling demand.

When buying, look at slat width, material and wind-resistance class. Insist on clean installation, correct measurements and a warranty. Common mistakes include underpowered motors, missing wind protection and cheap coatings that fade quickly.