Captain AggravatedSep 30, 2024

TIL miniblinds with pull cords to raise and lower them are now illegal to sell in the United States

https://sh.itjust.works/post/25945033

TIL miniblinds with pull cords to raise and lower them are now illegal to sell in the United States - sh.itjust.works

Replacing a broken set of blinds in my house and apparently no one sells the old standard kind where you pull the cord to raise them, I guess because kids and/or pets could tangle in the cord? Bit of an education in miniblinds today.

Show threadKazumara
External Venetian blinds are the best, but I think they aren’t so popular in the US from what I heard?
Sep 30, 2024 at 1:11pmWeb
Show threadjohannesvanderwhalesSep 30, 2024
I’m not sure what that is. Outside of the window?
Show threadKazumaraSep 30, 2024
Yes. It keeps the heat that is generated on the surface of the blinds outside your window.
Show threadjohannesvanderwhalesOct 1, 2024
Wouldn’t they get really dirty? I don’t think I’ve ever seen this in the US.
Show threadKazumaraOct 1, 2024
Yes, it does become part of cleaning the window to also wipe the slats. I suppose you do need some sort of release mechanism for the insect screens to access the slats on upper floors.
Show threadLemissetOct 1, 2024
In the US nearly every window that opens has a screen in it to keep insects out. That’s why venetian blinds have gone out of favor in the past 70 years.
Show threadKazumaraOct 1, 2024

I may be missing the point. How do the external venetian blinds clash with insect screens?

My father put blinds in various windows in his house and still has the external venetian blinds nonetheless.

Show threadhumorlessrepostOct 1, 2024

I may be missing the point. How do the external venetian blinds clash with insect screens?

I’ve never had external blinds, but I’d assume the issue is being able to access them to open or close them.

Show threadKazumaraOct 1, 2024

Ah no, no way!

You have an articulated rod on the inside which goes through a small hole to the blind cage outside, which you turn to move the blinds up and down, and the first bit of movement in either direction affects the tilt of the blinds.

I’m not sure if I’m describing it well, here is a picture of the rod, it can be straightened when you’re not turning it and usually has a plastic holder on the frame so it doesn’t dangle around:

Nowadays more and more people put in a little electric motor with a remote control instead.