- The Proportional Advantage: Why Wider Slats Work Best
- Functionality: Perfect for Large, Busy Openings
- Material Choice: Balancing Style and Durability
For years, the default choice for large glass features—like patio doors, bi-fold doors, or massive picture windows—was the vertical blind. They handle the width, but their design can often feel dated or cluttered.
At Curtain Call, we encourage Coventry homeowners to explore the sophisticated alternative: Wide-Slat Venetian Blinds. They offer the precise functionality you need with the clean, modern aesthetic your large windows demand.
The Proportional Advantage: Why Wider Slats Work Best
Covering a huge expanse of glass with thin slats (the standard 25mm aluminium) can feel overwhelming and visually busy. This is where the wide-slat Venetians come into their own.
Achieving a Cleaner Look
- Reduced Clutter: Wide slats (50mm or 65mm) mean fewer slats are needed to cover the same vertical distance. This results in a cleaner, more streamlined visual flow that complements the minimalist nature of modern sliding doors and large windows.
- A “Shutter-Style” Feel: When wide-slat wooden or faux-wood Venetians are closed, they mimic the substantial look of plantation shutters, adding a touch of architectural elegance without the permanent installation or cost.
Maximising Your View
The wider the slat, the less there is to stack when the blind is pulled up. This means the overall stack of material at the top of the window is significantly smaller than it would be with thin slats, giving you a far clearer, unobstructed view when the blinds are fully open.
Functionality: Perfect for Large, Busy Openings
Venetian blinds are not typically recommended for doors you open and close frequently because you have to raise the entire blind to use the door. However, the right hardware solutions make them incredibly practical for wide installations.
Motorisation is the Key
Manually raising a four-meter wide blind is a chore. Motorisation transforms the functionality of wide Venetians:
- Effortless Operation: Control the tilt and the raise/lower function with a remote or wall switch—essential for tall, large windows.
- Longevity: Motorised operation is smooth and consistent, reducing the strain and potential for damage that manual cord operation can cause on large, heavy blinds.
Segmented Systems for Sliding Doors
For a bi-fold or sliding door, we can install the Venetians as a series of separate blinds within the window recesses of the door panels. This allows you to:
- Access the Door: Open and close the sliding door itself without having to adjust the blind attached to the fixed panel.
- “Perfect Fit” Options: For uPVC doors, innovative “Perfect Fit” Venetian systems install directly into the window frame’s rubber beading with no drilling required, making them completely flush with the door for a seamless look.
Material Choice: Balancing Style and Durability
The sheer size of the installation requires choosing materials built for scale and long-term stability.
- Faux Wood (PVC): The optimal choice for large windows and doors, especially near high-traffic areas or areas with moisture (like kitchens). Faux wood offers the robust appearance of wood but is lighter and will not warp or sag under its own weight across large spans.
- Aluminium: Modern, clean, and highly durable. Aluminium blinds are ideal for minimalist interiors or if the windows are too wide or heavy for even faux-wood material. They are light, robust, and completely waterproof.