Anti-moiré
A process to counteract moiré, an interference pattern caused by overlapping grids of slightly different sizes or at slightly different angles
Bi-fold
track system for shutters that allows up to 6 panels to be hinged together
Blackout
A material that completely blocks light from entering a room
Bypass
A track system for shutters in which panels slide past each other to open and close
Cassette
A thin rectangular box that houses the roller for roller shades
Cornice
An ornamental frame covering the top part of a window treatment to hide hardware
Daylighting
The process of using natural light rather than electricity to light rooms
Decorative Tapes
Fabric strips that cover or replace the string ladders on blinds
Dovetail Joinery
A woodworking technique reputed for its strength in which pieces are cut to fit together and require only glue to keep them in place, creating a smooth finish
Full-Tilt & Traverse
A control system for tilting the vanes and moving vertical blinds side-to-side
Green Guard
Green Guard Environmental Institute (certification indicates eco-friendliness)
Headrail
A thin rectangular box that houses the operating mechanism for blinds
Light-Dimming
A material that blocks the majority of light, softening the effect in a room
Louver
A horizontal slat that can be angled to let in light and air
LiteRise
A proprietary manual lifting system for Hunter Douglas blinds and shades
Opaque
A material that is virtually impervious to light and cannot be seen through
PVC-free
Manufactured without polyvinyl chloride, a widely used but controversial material
Perm Align
A proprietary headrail system to ensure equal spacing on Hunter Douglas vertical blinds
PermaTrak
A proprietary headrail system to ensure smooth gliding on Hunter Douglas vertical blinds
PowerGlide
A proprietary motorized sliding option for Hunter Douglas window treatments
PowerRise
A proprietary motorized lifting option for Hunter Douglas window treatments
PowerTilt
A proprietary motorized tilting option for Hunter Douglas window treatments
Semi-Opaque
A material that is darker than translucent but not quite opaque
Semi-Sheer
A material that is darker than sheer but lighter than translucent
Sheer
A material that mildly diffuses light and obscures the view
Swag
A fabric top treatment that gives the appearance of being loosely draped
Top-Down/Bottom-Up
An operating system in which shades can be set to cover the bottom of a window for privacy while leaving the top unobstructed for light and view-through
Translucent
A material that allows light through but obscures the view
Two-in-One
Two independently operated panels in a single headrail or cassette
Tilt-Only
A control system for tilting the vanes of vertical blinds to control light
Uniform Exterior Appearance
A consistent look from outside the home
UV
An abbreviation for ultraviolet, an invisible but harmful spectrum of light
Valance
A window treatment that covers the uppermost part of a window
Vane
strip of fabric or other material
View-Through
The ability to see through a window treatment to the outside