Most standard US windows open by sliding up/down or cranking the window frame outside of the home (with the screen on the inside). Accordingly, “standard” blinds attach to the top of the window opening. However, “standard” blinds won’t work for tilt and turn windows.
A tilt and turn window frame opens inside the home. This means that blinds can’t be attached to the top the window opening. A tilt and turn window frame needs to be able to move inward to open into the room. If blinds were attached to the inside top of a tilt and turn window opening, the blinds would block the tilt and turn window from moving or opening. Blinds that are suitable for tilt and turn windows attach to the window frame. This allows the blinds to move with the window frame, as the window opens into the room or tilts open from the top.
We are regularly asked to remove blinds from our clients’ homes after a previous homeowner installed “standard blinds” or roller shades within the window opening. For example, the tilt and turn windows pictured below won’t open due to the placement of the roller shades inside the window opening. These windows pictured will let light in but cannot open for airflow.
Blinds that are suitable for tilt and turn windows need to attach to the window frame itself so that they move with the window frame, as the window opens into the room or tilts open from the top. “Standard” blinds won’t work for tilt and turn windows. Ashland Blinds offers blinds specific for European style tilt and turn windows.