Blind quotes and sample books use a vocabulary of their own. The terms below are the ones that matter when you compare quotes or describe your window to us, each explained in plain English.
Measuring and fitting
| Term | Meaning |
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| Width × drop | The size of a blind: width first, then height (the drop), usually in millimetres. |
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| Recess | The window opening in the wall. A recess fit sits inside it. |
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| Exact fit, face fit, outside fit | A blind fitted on the wall over the opening, made to the exact size you give, so it covers more than the glass. |
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| Deduction | The small amount a maker takes off a recess-fit width so the blind clears the sides. |
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| Face-fix and top-fix | Brackets screwed to the back wall of the recess (face) or the top of it (top). Top-fix needs less depth. |
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| Glazing bead | The strip that holds the glass in a uPVC frame. Perfect Fit and INTU blinds clip into it. |
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| Bay and bow | A bay has flat faces at angles; a bow is a continuous curve. Each face or pane gets its own blind. |
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| Tilt-and-turn | A window that tilts inwards at the top or swings open. Needs a blind fixed to the sash. |
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Fabrics and light
| Term | Meaning |
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| Blackout | A fabric that blocks all light through the material. Edges may still show light unless fitted outside the recess or in a frame. |
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| Dim-out | A fabric that blocks most light but not all; the room is dim, not dark. Often confused with blackout. |
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| Sheer and voile | Translucent fabrics that filter light and give daytime privacy. |
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| Thermal and cellular | Fabrics that trap air to reduce heat loss; cellular (honeycomb) fabrics have air pockets built in. |
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| Solar-reflective | A pale or metallised backing that bounces the sun’s heat back out, used on conservatory roofs. |
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| Moisture-resistant and PVC | Fabrics made for bathrooms and kitchens that wipe clean and do not warp. |
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| Fire-retardant (BS 5867) | Fabrics treated to meet the British Standard for flame retardancy, required in many commercial settings. |
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Types and parts
| Term | Meaning |
|---|
| Louvre | A single slat of a vertical blind, usually 89 mm or 127 mm wide. |
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| Headrail | The track at the top of a vertical blind that the louvres hang from and run along. |
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| Cassette | A box that encloses the roll of a roller blind, for a neat finish and less light at the top. |
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| Side channels | Slim channels at each side of a blackout roller that stop light at the edges. |
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| Day and night, vision, zebra | Three names for the same blind: two layers of striped fabric that align for light or privacy. |
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| Pleated | Fabric folded into concertina pleats that stack to almost nothing. |
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| Perfect Fit and INTU | No-drill systems that clip into the glazing bead of a uPVC window. |
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| Fauxwood | A PVC or composite slat with a wood look that does not warp in moisture. |
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| Tapes | Fabric strips down a wooden or Venetian blind that hide the cord holes. |
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Controls
| Term | Meaning |
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| Chain, sidewinder | The looped chain that raises a roller or Roman blind through a clutch. |
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| Wand | A rigid rod that tilts and draws a vertical blind with no cord. |
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| Cordless, spring | A roller raised and lowered by a spring, with nothing hanging. |
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| Chain tidy, breakaway | Child-safety devices: a tidy anchors the chain to the wall; a breakaway separates under load. |
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| Motorised | A blind driven by a battery or mains motor and operated by remote, app or voice. |
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Shutters
| Term | Meaning |
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| Plantation shutters | Hinged panels of adjustable louvres fitted in a frame to the window. |
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| Full height | Panels that cover the whole window. |
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| Café style | Panels on the lower half of the window only. |
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| Tier-on-tier | Separate top and bottom panels that open independently. |
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| Tilt rod | The rod that moves the louvres; hidden tilt rods keep the panel face clean. |
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| L-frame and Z-frame | Frame shapes used to fit a recess that is out of square or to cover a gap. |
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| Madison, Nevada, Hampton | Our shutter ranges: Madison is hardwood; Nevada and Hampton are waterproof PVC. |
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Still unsure what you need? →A free home visit answers it in your own room, with the samples in front of you.
Facts checked 4 November 2026. Prices and lead times are those published on this site at that date; the quote you receive on your visit is the one that counts.
