Inside Mount:
You will start at the top of the window by measuring the inside of the frame horizontally. Do not allow for room on either side for the blinds, you want the exact distance from left to right. The manufacturer has already accounted for this by about a half an inch. The measurement on the box is the size of the window frame not the blinds. If ordering custom bamboo blinds specify the width of the window frame to the manufacturer and they will cut them accordingly. Also specify the length of the window frame from top down to the bottom of the window seal.

Outside Mount:
When installing blinds on the outside of the window frame you have more room for error. You will want to allow for about two to four inches on either side, depending on the size of the window. If buying precut blinds understand that the horizontal measurement on the box is about a half an inch larger than the actual blind width. Knowing this little tip will save you time and frustration. Custom bamboo blinds will give you the luxury of getting the perfect fit, horizontally and vertically.

Roll-Up Blinds vs. Roman Slat Blinds
When purchasing pre-cut blinds you will also want to consider your style choice by ease of adjusting the vertical length. Roll-up bamboo blinds are not adjustable. Whatever the length on the box is the length you will be installing, always error on the side of too long as opposed to too short. Roman style bamboo blinds can be adjusted with little difficulty and will give you that “exact fit”. This option is much cheaper than custom blinds and will work well on most normal sized windows.
Take your measurements, choose your style and start browsing!

Colors
Bamboo blinds come in an array of different colors. Many times our first reaction is that they are all an earthy brown color. But this could be further from the truth. The blinds can range any where from a bright white on down the scale to midnight black. Some of the colors you may find include: Mahogany, rosewood, and cappuccino, nutmeg, cherry, white oak and antique. Bamboo blinds will often color coordinate with any décor.

Style
There are two main styles of bamboo blinds. The first is the roll-up style. With this type you roll them up and secure at the top with a string. Another variety is you pull one string to raise the blind and another to release it. The roll-up style blind is the cheapest and often the easiest to install.

The second style is the Roman blinds style. The slats are larger and you push a rod upwards to raise the slats allowing the sunlight to pass through. Roman style bamboo blinds can be a bit costly but add an element of class and elegance to any room.

Bamboo blinds also are available for your outdoor patio. If you are getting too much sun in the afternoon and want to add a little shade, bamboo is the way to go. They clean up easily and remain weather resistant year after year with very little maintenance.

Cost
The roll-up style of bamboo blinds can be purchased for as little as $20 and you will find the Roman style blinds starting at about $45. The blinds in this price category are for pre-cut blinds. If you have a standard window size you will find more than enough styles to fit your fancy. If your window is anomalous you will then want to purchase custom blinds. Custom blinds are still well with in the budget of most homeowners. When it comes to trying to “make it fit” and having the “perfect fit”, custom bamboo blinds are the way to go.

The best course of action is to shop the internet and find the best styles that fit your décor. Choose your price range, style and color. You won’t be disappointed.

Modern Asian
One of the fastest growing contemporary trends today is an Asian style bedroom or living room. This style takes a very minimalist approach and can be very sexy. Asian platform beds are the craze as well as stylish sofas and coffee tables. The furniture in this décor sits lower to the ground and comes in a variety of colors. Nice accents to this room style would be Japanese art, a lucky bamboo plant, paper lanterns, a bamboo room divider and even a few bamboo poles tied together and set in the corner. The exotic approach is not for everybody but when done right can receive a lot of compliments. The best bamboo blinds style for this décor would be the bamboo Roman slat style blinds that come in several different colors.

Tiki
We all dream of being at the beach but for many of us that reality is just a dream. The tiki décor will work in your beach house or hundreds of miles away from the beach at your home in the Chicago suburbs. This décor is often found on back patios, in family rooms, bathrooms, pool houses and beach houses. Bamboo furniture is very appealing which you can purchase for indoor or outdoor. A tiki torch is a must as well as tiki statues and a pink flamingo or two. A hand carved tiki mask will add a tropical flair that will take you back to the islands. Also include tropical plants and flowers, your local garden center will offer a variety of hibiscus, plumeria, dragon trees and bamboo. The tropical décor is a fun and laid-back way of living. The best bamboo blinds style for this décor would be the roll-up blinds, made of many smaller bamboo stalks. You can purchase both indoor and outdoor blinds giving you many options.

Traditional
Bamboo blinds are also a great choice for a traditional home décor. They can be used in the living room, kitchen, bedrooms and bathrooms. Bamboo blinds are great for irregular windows including bay windows. They add privacy while still allowing light to shine through. You will want to use a woven bamboo blind or Roman bamboo blind in this décor. The woven bamboo blinds come in several different colors and can be very basic to very elegant.

Whatever your style may be there is a bamboo blind that will add ambiance to any décor. Start shopping the many online stores to get the best ideas for your home.

Bamboo and the Atmosphere
By choosing bamboo blinds you are choosing to reduce your carbon footprint, literally. It has been estimated by the World Wild Fund that an acre of bamboo can store 6.88 metric tons of carbon per year. In comparison that’s 70% more than an acre of hardwoods. When the bamboo is used in flooring and household furnishings a treatment is applied that locks in the carbon for decades, not allowing it to escape into the atmosphere. Another fact that will help you breathe a little easier is that a bamboo plant can give off 35% more oxygen than a hardwood tree, providing a further benefit to you and the atmosphere.

Be Delighted
So if you are a responsible eco-conscious consumer, bamboo blinds are a great alternative to hardwood blinds. Bamboo grows ten times faster than hardwood and provides a much cleaner atmosphere and environment. Now you can breathe a fresh breath of air every time you enjoy your new bamboo blinds and be delighted that you made an “earth smart” selection.

What is bamboo?
First lets chat a little bit about what bamboo is. Bamboo is a wood-like grass that grows on many different continents. Bamboo is the fastest growing plant in the world and can grow at speeds of over 2 feet a day. It prefers being close to water but not in the water, like dipping your toes but not your ankles. The growing season is in the spring and usually lasts any where from 40 to 60 days. At this point the bamboo reaches it’s mature height and girth growing from one foot to well over sixty-five feet depending on the variety. It still will be another four to seven years before the bamboo is made into your bamboo blinds as the grasses inside the stalk keep growing to provide a stronger more durable “wood”.

Where does bamboo grow?
Many consumers may be surprised to find that bamboo is not only native to Asia but species can also be found in North and South America, Australia, India and sub-Sahara Africa. Areas you will not find native bamboo include Canada, Europe and Antarctica.

A Little History…
In Asian cultures, the bamboo plants have been long known to have a certain enchantment about them. In order to ward off evil spirits the ancient Japanese people would put bamboo blinds on their windows and doorways. In India bamboo means friendship and in China it is seen as a symbol of long life.

Bamboo has had many uses over the last several centuries and was central to life in many cultures. Bamboo was used to build houses, furniture, window blinds, woven mats, sandals and clothing. It was also used in the construction of boats and bridges. In fact one such bridge in the Qian-Xian area of China is believed to have stood for over 2000 years, since before the time of Christ. Humans and animals also used bamboo shoots as a nutritious food source. Giant Pandas are still munching on bamboo today…

Modern Bamboo
In today’s modern world the list of uses for bamboo continues to grow. Not only are people using bamboo window blinds in their homes, they are using bamboo bed sheets, bamboo flooring, bamboo fencing, bamboo bath towels and of course bamboo clothing. Bamboo is often referred to as the most resourceful plant on earth and a will be a thriving player in the new “greener” planet we live on. Take part in this movement and shop the many bamboo products available online to you today, including bamboo blinds for your home.

The Tools
You will be using basic household tools for the installation of your blinds. Start by getting a chair or stepstool, measuring tape, pencil, a cordless or electric drill, a philips and flat head screwdriver and safety goggle are always a great idea. Included in the bamboo blinds box will be the mounting brackets as well as the appropriate screws. At this point you will want to verify that all the parts are included in your bamboo blinds box. You will find a list of all these parts included, check each part off as you verify it. This simple task will save you a lot of aggravation if you are missing a bracket or a screw.

Remove Old Window Blinds
Many blinds will install exactly the same as the ones you will be replacing. Remove the window coverings from the brackets. Unscrew all brackets, being careful not to strip any holes as they can sometimes be reused.

Inside Mounted Bamboo Blinds
Using an inside mount for your new bamboo blinds will give you a cleaner look as well as make your widow appear smaller. You will start by holding the top of the blind just inside the top corners of the window frame. Center the blinds allowing an equal amount of space on each side, using your pencil make marks on the outside edge of he blinds. You will now make another mark about 1/8 inch outside the first mark. This is the line that you will use to install your brackets. Hold the brackets up to this second line and make a pencil mark where the screws will be placed, you will want to verify that both brackets are square with each other, equal distance from the window and the outside window frame. If you have existing holes in the vicinity you may use these without drilling new ones. Choose your drill bit depending on the size of screw you will be using and drill holes on the two pencil marks. Screw your brackets into place. Large bamboo blinds will require brackets in the center. Align these brackets, make pencil marks, verify that the location will not interfere with the movement of the blinds, drill holes and screw into place. Now that you have the brackets installed you can place your bamboo blinds into the brackets, secure them and your done.

Outside Mounted Bamboo Blinds
Outside mounts are easier than inside mounts and they will also make your windows look larger. You will want to start by centering the top of the blind above the window. Make pencil marks on each end, make another mark about an 1/8 of an inch out side the first mark. This will allow your blind to have room and keep them from being too tight. Hold the brackets up to these marks and make pencil hole where you will be inserting the screws. You will want to measure that the brackets are equal distance from the floor. Drill holes and screw the brackets into place. You may also need to install center brackets depending on the size of your bamboo blinds. Now that you have the brackets installed you can place your bamboo blinds into the brackets, secure them and your done.

Bonus Tip:
If you find that the screw holes are stripped you can repair them by using wood glue and a toothpick. Dip the toothpick in the glue, insert into hole and break off, depending on the size of the hole you may need to repeat a few times.