A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

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Aluminum Blinds: Also called mini blinds, macro blinds, or micro blinds. Horizontal aluminum blinds are made out of .6 to .9 gauge aluminum, with .9 being the sturdiest and most expensive. These blinds are especially complementary to modern rooms, although their clean good looks can go anywhere. They offer a great deal of light control options because the vanes can be tilted and the entire blind can be fully raised or lowered.

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Blackout: Blackout rated fabric blocks up to 99% of outside light. Blackout is the best choice for bedrooms, children's rooms, and media rooms. This feature has a different manufacturer's name: opaque, eclipse, room darkening, cocoon, etc…

Bottom-Up/Top-Down: A bottom-up shade combined with a standard top-down shade for maximum versatility. Uses two sets of lift cords to open either from the top down or from the bottom up, or both at the same time. Very good for protecting your privacy while still allowing light in.

Box Metal Bracket: Traditional standard bracket for horizontal blinds with a hinged front for easy installation and removal.

Brackets: For verticals, wall mount brackets attach the headrail to the wall surrounding the window or door.

Braided Ladders: The arrangement of strings which hold and tilt the slats on horizontal blinds.

Break Thru Safety Tassel: An exclusive HunterDouglas feature designed to break apart to protect children and pets from injury.

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Café Curtain: A curtain that covers only the bottom half of the window. Frequently seen in kitchens.

Cassette: A sleek, curved cover that conceals the fabric roll and lifting system, covered with matching fabric to give a clean, finished look. Only available with Hunter Douglas roller shades.

Ceiling Mount: An alternative mount for vertical blinds, in which the headrail is mounted on the ceiling. This application eliminates the gap between the top of the blind and the ceiling. Ceiling mounts are relatively rare.

Cellular Shade: Also called honeycomb shades. These fabric shades have a front and back fabric that is pleated. The two fabrics are connected to form air pockets (cells). Because of the air pockets, these shades have great insulation ratings. Although cellular shades look like pleated shades, unlike pleated shades, there are no visible holes or strings.

Center Tilt: The control options are limited to a center tilt wand only for smaller blinds as both the tilting and lifting hardware will not fit inside these shorter headrails. If this choice is required, we recommend that upon installing the shade remove the wand and operate the tilter by hand using the 1" stem attached to the headrail for tilting. This will eliminate the awkward appearance of a center tilt wand. See specific product page for size limitations.

Cloth Tapes: Available as an option on wood, faux wood and macro aluminum blinds in place of standard braided ladders (the cords that extend down the length of the blind and hold the slats together). These wider tapes help hide rout holes allowing for more privacy and less light penetration. May be available in solid colours and decorative patterns, as well as a number of different widths.

Colour: As used on our order form, the colour of the blind or fabric that you have selected.

Controls: Controls refer to the mechanisms that allow you to raise, lower, and tilt the blinds. Controls are usually cords or wands. You will be asked to specify which side the controls will be placed on. All 1 inch aluminum blinds come with wand control for the tilt, since the headrail size does not allow for a cord. There are optional systems available that make raising and lowering a heavy blind easier; see EasyRise, EasyUp, EasyGlide, Liftmaster.

Continuous Loop: Continuous Loop is an option using a continuous loop cord to raise and lower pleated shades and cellular shades. The cord always remains the same length, regardless of the shade position. This eliminates long, dangling cords. Designed for larger shades.

Cord Tilt Control: Alternative to a traditional wand tilt. Operates on a cord pulley system allowing up to 180 degrees rotation of the slats. Tilt cords are recommended for heavier blinds.

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de-Light Feature: Normally, the ladder on a horizontal blind is routed through the slats, leaving small holes that allow light to show through. The Hunter Douglas de-Light feature off-sets the rout holes to prevent light leakage. De-Light is an excellent feature for a bedroom, or for any place where you need total light control.

Double Cellular Shade: Also called Double Honeycomb shade. These fabric shades have a front and back fabric that is pleated. The front and back fabrics are connected with two rows of air pockets (cells) between them. These shades have the best insulation ratings of any shade. Single cell cellular shades are also available.

Dust Shield: An exclusive HunterDouglas feature which protects all of their aluminum blinds. It is an anti-static paint coating system that inhibits dust build-up.

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EasyGlide: An exclusive HunterDouglas option using a continuous loop cord to raise and lower Brilliance pleated shades eliminating long, dangling cords. Designed for larger shades.

EasyLift and Tilt: A manually-operated mechanism for raising, lowering and tilting two-inch (Graber 2" Grandeur, 2" Designer Vinyl and 2" Traditions Woods only) blinds. The blind is tilted, raised and lowered by operating the continuous control loop. Pulling on either side of the loop opens and closes the blind slats. Continuing to pull either side of the control loop raiser or lowers the blind by action of the patented clutch mechanism. The continuous control loop remains at the same level no matter what the position of the blind. Please call customer service 1-877-861-5023 for more information.

EasyRise: An exclusive HunterDouglas option using a continuous loop cord to raise and lower Duette Honeycomb shades eliminating long, dangling cords. Designed for larger shades.

EasyUp: An exclusive Graber options using a continuous loop cord to raise and lower FashionPleat pleated shades and CrystalPleat and Maestro cellular shades. The cord always remains the same length, regardless of the shade position. This eliminates long, dangling cords. Designed for larger shades.

Eclipse: Eclipse rated fabric blocks up to 99% of outside light. Blackout is the best choice for bedrooms, children's rooms, and media rooms. This feature has a different manufacturer's name: opaque, eclipse, room darkening, cocoon, etc…

Extension Brackets: For installations requiring additional space between the blind and the mounting surface. Must be specified at time of order.

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Flush Inside Mount: See also Recessed Inside Mount. A blinds headrail will be inside mounted completely flush with the window opening so that the headrail is not protruding out of the window opening at all. The manufacturer will make small reductions to your measurements, to allow for necessary operating clearance. See specific product pages for exact depth requirements needed to mount the blind inside the window frame.

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Headrail: The hardware at the top of the blind where the tracks and other mechanical parts are located. With horizontal blinds, you can choose multiple blinds on a single headrail (two or three) if you have more than one window in the same frame.

Height: The vertical measurement of your blind, taken to the nearest 1/8 of an inch. For measuring instructions, click here.

Hold-Down Brackets: Hold-Down Brackets prevent blinds from swaying. They are recommended for doors and windows subject to wind exposure.

Honeycomb Shade: Also called cellular shades. These fabric shades have a front and back fabric that is pleated. The two fabrics are connected to form air pockets (cells). Because of the air pockets, these shades have great insulation ratings. Although honeycomb shades look like pleated shades, unlike pleated shades, there are no visible holes or strings.

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Inside Mount: See also Flush Inside Mount and Recesd Inside Mount. Inside mount refers to hanging the blind inside the window frame. It may protrude past the front of the window frame or be recessed inside the frame.

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Lift: The control, usually a cord, which raises and lowers the blind or shade. It is usually tethered by a bell shaped tassel or a child-proof cord. Products under certain widths have limitations with no lift option. See specific product page for size limitations.

LiftMaster: A Hunter Douglas continuous cord lifting system. LiftMaster is strongly recommended for large blinds, since it makes it easier to lift them and saves wear and tear on the cords.

Light Control: The ability to allow different levels of light to penetrate a room, from complete privacy to full daylight.

LiteRise: LiteRise Touch System is a cordless lifting system from HunterDouglas that allows blinds and shades to be raised and lowered at the touch of a finger. It delivers streamlined beauty, easier operation and enhanced safety for children. It is available as an option on Duette 3/8 inch Honeycomb Shades, Brilliance Pleated Shades, and Country Woods Two inch Wood Blinds (Classics and Select colours only) Some restrictions apply.

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Mount: Mount refers to whether the blind will be mounted within the window frame (inside mount) or on the wall surrounding the window (outside mount).

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North American Basswood: A hardwood from the bass tree, typically grown in North America or China. Basswood is a high quality wood. When used for blinds, it is kiln-dried to 14% moisture. The drying process helps prevent cracking, chipping, and peeling.

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Opaque: Opaque fabric or lining blocks up to 99% of outside light. Opaque is the best choice for bedrooms, children's rooms, and media rooms. This feature has a different manufacturer's name: blackout, eclipse, room darkening, cocoon, etc…

Outside Mount: Outside mount refers to hanging the blind on the wall around the window, so that the window is fully covered and there is some overlap with the wall. For an outside mount you will have to decide how much overlap you want and measure accordingly. This is a common mount for vertical blinds on a patio door.

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Pleated Shades: Pleated shades are made of fabric with crisp, evenly spaced horizontal pleats. They are a less expensive alternative to honeycomb or cellular shades, because they have only one layer of fabric and provide less insulation. The other main difference is that pleated shades have visible cords running through them.

Privacy: See also Semi-Opaque. A term used to describe a fabric that blocks enough light that only vague shapes are visible from the outside.

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Quantity: The number of one particular product you are ordering. Please note that all of the products must be completely identical, including width and height measurements.

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Railroaded - Due to the limitations of fabric widths, shades larger than noted fabric widths may have to be railroaded or seamed. When fabric is railroaded the width of the fabric is turned and now becomes the length. If the length required is longer than the width of the fabric, the fabric will be seamed at the top.

Ramin Wood: A less expensive hardwood than basswood, ramin wood is used for many value-priced wood blinds.

Recessed Inside Mount: See also Flush Inside Mount. A blinds headrail will be inside mounted completely flush with the window opening so that the headrail is not protruding out of the window opening at all. The manufacturer will make small reductions to your measurements, to allow for necessary operating clearance. See specific product pages for exact depth requirements needed to mount the blind inside the window frame.

Roller Shade: A shade made of flat PVC or fabric and attached to a cylindrical roller.

Room Name: Used on our order forms to designate the room that the blind will be installed in. This will help you keep track of your order.

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Semi-Opaque: See also Private. A term used to describe a fabric that filters light and obscures detailed features while still allowing light to fill a room.

Semi-Private: See also Semi-Sheer. A term used to describe a fabric that filters light and obscures detailed features while still allowing light to fill a room.

Semi-Sheer: See also Semi-Private. A term used to describe a woven fabric provides moderate privacy while allowing soft, diffused light inside.

Sheer: A term used to describe a transparent knit or woven fabric that gently filters strong light without obstructing the view.

SoftRise: Hunter Douglas lifting system for Remembrance window shades features a revolutionary spring mechanism that allows you to release the shade and have it raise gently to the top of the window, or any point in-between.

Spacer Blocks: Used to add an extra 1/2" of depth to the headrail. Spacer blocks are usually used on outside mounts to avoid obstructions such as molding around the window.

Split Controls: The control options are limited to either Lift control left/Tilt control right or Lift control right/Tilt control left. See specific product page for details.

Stack: The area in which the slats of a blind "stack" when opened. On vertical blinds, choosing a left stack or a right stack will determine which way the blind opens. If you order a left stack, the slats will "stack" on the left side of the window when fully opened. Other stacks include split draw, in which the blinds open from the middle, half stacking on the left and half to the right, and center draw, in which the blinds open from both sides and stack in the middle. With horizontal blinds, "stack height" refers to the space at the top of the window that is taken up by the slats when they are fully raised. The smaller the stack height, the greater the view you will have to the outside.

Slats: A term referring to the horizontal wood, vinyl or aluminum pieces which tilt open and closed creating variations of light.

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Tapes: Available as an option on wood, faux wood and macro aluminum blinds in place of standard braided ladders (the cords that extend down the length of the blind and hold the slats together). These wider tapes help hide rout holes allowing for more privacy and less light penetration. May be available in solid colours and decorative patterns, as well as a number of different widths.

Tilt: The control, usually a cord or a wand, that tilts the slats of a horizontal or vertical blind open and closed.

Top-Down: A shade that opens from the top down instead of the standard from the bottom up. When completely open, the fabric stacks at the bottom of the window.

Top-Down/Bottom-Up: A top-down shade combined with a standard bottom-up shade for maximum versatility. Uses two sets of lift cords to open either from the top down or from the bottom up, or both at the same time. Very good for protecting your privacy while still allowing light in.

TruRise: TruRise® is a state-of-the-art lifting system that allows you to effortlessly raise a shade. Simply pull straight down on the tassel to raise it, or lower the shade by lifting the tassel straight up.

Two or more blinds on one headrail: Provides the flexibility of raising one blind while keeping the other lowered on extra wide windows, such as patio doors. This option is usually only available up to a total maximum width (the total length of the headrail), often around 96".

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UltraGlide: UltraGlide is a lifting system for Hunter Douglas honeycomb shades. It uses a retractable cord so that the shade glides up and down with precise control and the cord length remains the same.

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Valance: A term used to describe the decorative wood, vinyl or aluminum slat(s) which hides the headrail of a particular blind. More elaborate valances may be available. See specific product page for valance options.

Valance Returns: the two "side" pieces of a valance that connect the front (main) part of the valance to the wall. Valance returns are only used on outside mounts.

Vanes: The PVC or fabric slats on a vertical blind.

Venetian Blinds: See aluminum blinds. Also called mini blinds, macro blinds, or micro blinds. Horizontal aluminum blinds are made out of .6 to .9 gauge aluminum, with .9 being the sturdiest and most expensive. These blinds are especially complementary to modern rooms, although their clean good looks can go anywhere. They offer a great deal of light control options because the vanes can be tilted and the entire blind can be fully raised or lowered.

Vertical Blinds: Vertical blinds can be made from PVC or fabric and have been a popular window covering choice. They can be used alone, with a top treatment, or as the foundation for a more elaborate look. The vanes are provide good insulation from both light and temperature extremes.

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Wall Mount: The standard installation for verticals, in which the headrail is mounted on the wall surrounding the door or window.

Width: The horizontal measurement of your blind, taken to the nearest 1/8 of an inch. For measuring instructions, click here.

Window Number: Used on our order forms, the window number is one that you assign to the windows in a room. This will help you keep track of your order when a room has multiple windows.

Wood Blinds: The best horizontal wood blinds are made from natural American hardwoods, and are very good natural insulators. We recommend that you avoid using genuine wood blinds in humid conditions and instead, suggest faux wood blinds for bathrooms, kitchens, and other humid areas.