What are left or right-hand manually controlled blinds?

What are left or right-hand manually controlled blinds?

Manually operated blinds are described as either being left-hand or right-hand controlled. This simply describes on which side of the window opening the operation is found.

But which is best for you?

Choosing left or right-hand blind operation 

There are several factors to consider when procuring your commercial blinds.

1. Two side-by-side blinds
   If you have 2 manually operated blinds across the width of a window opening, as in the picture below, you would choose to have the manual controls on each side of the window. This will avoid the control operation being in the centre of the window which would complicate the operation of either blind and risk the chains or cords becoming tangled.

2. Obstruction
   If there is an obstruction in front of the window, or below it, this will also impact the position of the chain or cord.  If there is furniture below the window (such as a desk), you would need to be able to control the blind from the side that is most convenient and safe to reach.

3. The method of operation
   An important consideration might be the use of a crank handle, as seen in the image below.  Crank operation is also the most child-safe method of manual operation of a blind.  With no loose chain or cord, the risk of ligature is removed and an added benefit is that a removable crank handle can be chosen so that the crank can be taken off the blind and stored in a safe place.

4. Height
   Finally, the height of a blind is an important consideration when choosing left or right-hand operation.  At a high level, manual operation would need a very long control method so that the blind can be operated from a floor-standing position.  However, this may require the control method to hang past the window recess and down the wall which may aesthetically look out of place. And this would be unacceptable to many!  In this instance, an electrically operated blind would solve this issue.  Because the blind is controlled by handheld remote control or a hard-wired switch on the wall, there is no visible control method.

Swanmac’s experienced team will survey your premises and advise on the pros and cons of the various types of manual and electric operation of your blinds in situ.  They can be contacted via sales@swanmac.com or by calling 029 2081 1458.