Buying Guide For Replacement Vertical Blind Slats
Refreshing your vertical blind with replacement slats is a savvy choice that revitalizes your room without the need for a completely new blind. If your headrail track is working effectively, opting for vertical blind replacement slats is an economical and effective way to inject new life into your window. Our extensive collection encompasses a variety of sizes, including the standard 89mm and the less common 127mm slat sizes. Each set arrives complete with complimentary sewn-in top hangers, along with white weights and chains for a seamless transition. You can also choose to upgrade to sewn-in weights for the ultimate in cat and dog-proof blinds. Dive into our vibrant array of colours, ranging from bold hues to serene tones, designed to align with any décor and out textured and blackout fabrics for even more options. Have a read through our replacement vertical blind slats buyers guide for all you need to know.
Why Buy Vertical Blind Replacement Slats from Lifestyle Blinds?
With three decades in the blinds industry and 20 years of online presence, our expertise is unparalleled. From manufacturing to retailing, we've been window blind specialists longer than we've been selling them online. Cheap replacement blind slats don't have to be low quality with poor choice. Here's a quick look at what you get from Lifestyle Blinds.
- 89mm and 127mm slat sizes
- Upgrade options like sewn-in weights
- Upgrade options with different colour weights and chains
- Three decades of experience selling window blinds
- Informative buying guides to help in your purchase
- Safe and secure payment systems
- Peace of mind with guarantees on all our blinds
- Exceptional quality from UK-based manufacturers
- Diverse palette of colours
- A large range of fabrics to cater for every requirement
- Free samples so you can feel the quality before purchase
- Every slat made to measure
- Fast delivery – most blinds delivered in 7 working days
Which tracks can replacement slats be fitted onto?
Made to measure or ready-made.
Made to measure are generally bought from specialist window blind retailers, like Lifestyle Blinds. Ready-made off-the-shelf versions are those where you pick up a replacement vertical blind slats pack from retailers such as Argos or Dunelm. The distinction between the two is quite significant, not only in quality but most crucially being compatibility; the two types are not interchangeable. Ready-made slats come with detachable hangers, requiring you to fix the length upon initial installation. These hangers are incompatible with the clips found on the tracks of custom-made headrails. To distinguish between the two types please refer to the images below.
89mm or 127mm Replacement Slats
The width of the slats is also crucial. Not to whether you can replace the slats but to which fabrics you can choose from. Notably, they are also referred to as 3.5-inch slats and 5-inch slats respectively they cannot be interchanged. Inside the headrail holding the fabrics there are links that connect the trucks together that the hangers hook onto. The size of these links differs depending on the slat size. If you hang an 89mm louvre onto a 127mm louvre track there will be a 38mm gap between each slat. Conversely, if you fit 127mm slats onto an 89mm track they will overlap too much by 38mm. Once you have measured the width of the slat make sure you choose the correct filter when searching for fabrics.
Fabric or Rigid PVC Replacement Slats
The most common question we are asked for replacement slats is whether you can replace fabric with rigid PVC. The answer is no. While the headrail housing is the same, the hooks that hold the slat are totally different in shape. If you have a fabric vertical blind and try and hang rigid PVC slats on them they will either snap the top of the slat or not hang uniformly. You will need to order a full rigid PVC vertical blind.
What fabric options are available for replacement vertical blind slats?
With vertical blinds still being one of the most popular window coverings there are a lot of different types of fabrics and colour selections for replacement slats. The diversity in materials and hues ensures that you can find the perfect fabric compliment your interior design tastes. With such a wide variety to choose from you can easily reflect your unique style and preferences.
89mm: 3.5" louvres: The standard width of the louvres on vertical blinds is 89mm or 3.5 inches. These will only fit on a track with the same size slats. Appropriately sized weights and chains are provided.
127mm: 5" louvres: Selected fabrics are also available in the larger 127mm or 5-inch slat width generally used on larger windows as the larger gap between each slat allows more light in and less bunching when open. These will only fit on a track with the same size slats. Appropriately sized weights and chains are provided.
Fabrics: Polyester is the main material used for the fabrics. Both plain and textured fabrics are usually polyester, except for linen-effect fabrics that have a mix of polyester and cotton. Another option is waterproof soft PVC materials, which are good for bathrooms and kitchens.
Soft PVC: Arguably the most durable slats for vertical blinds are rigid and soft PVC. Easy to wipe down, blackout, waterproof and mould and mildew resistant, they are ideal for high moisture areas like bathrooms and kitchens.
Light Filtering: Vertical blinds are very popular because they have many benefits. One of them is light control, which means they let light enter the room but block the view from the outside. Light filtering fabrics are good for this purpose and by far the largest choice of materials offer this.
Thermal: Thermal fabrics are another option for vertical blinds that can help you regulate the temperature in your room. They come in two versions. The first is thermal blackout fabrics which have a white coating that helps to stop heat from entering the room, keeping your room cooler in the summer and warmer in winter helping to reduce energy costs. Thermal translucent fabrics allow for light filtering whilst also having a solar reflective coating which reflects some of the heat back onto the glass preventing it from entering the room.
Blackout: Although they are not exactly blackout blinds because there are small spaces between the slats that let some light in, the blackout fabrics significantly reduce the amount of light that comes into the room. This makes them perfect for any room in the home where you want complete privacy and want to lower the light and glare that enters the room.
Patterned: If you want to add some style and flair to your windows, you can choose from a range of patterned replacement vertical blind slats. Patterned fabrics have various designs, such as floral, geometric, abstract, or striped, that can complement your existing décor or create a focal point in your room. Patterned slats are available in both blackout and translucent fabrics, so you can control the amount of light and privacy you need.
What Other Replacement Vertical Blind Slats Do You Sell?
Below are quick links to colour and feature categories for this fabulous range of replacement slats.
How to Measure For Replacement Slats
Measuring is very simple for replacement slats. The only consideration is whether you are replacing fabric vertical blinds are rigid PVC vertical blinds. Whilst essentially the same process, there is a slight difference so we have separated the instructions below.
Fabric: Take down one slat from the blind then firstly measure the width of the slat to check for 89mm or 127mm. Then measure from the top of the fabric to the bottom. NB: Ignore the hanger and any folds.
Rigid PVC: Take down one slat from the blind which will only be in 89mm. Then measure from the top of the slat to the bottom.
It’s that simple.
How many slats should I order for each window?
Vertical blinds come in a variety of opening options like one-way or centre opening. When ordering, it is cheaper the combine the slats of the same size together. When they are delivered simply split them for each side and apply the weights and chains.
TOP TIP: Save even more money by combining the number of slats together for if they are the same size. So if you have 3 windows, all with 20 slats on each at 125cm, or 60 in total, this is CHEAPER than ordering 3 sets of 20.
How to Fit Replacement Vertical Blind Slats
You don't need any DIY skills to replace the slats. It's a very easy process. But you can also use this chance to do some basic upkeep on the track to help it last longer. Dust can accumulate inside and on the track and make the plastic weaker over time. After you remove the old fabric, clean the track with a damp cloth and some mild detergent. Be gentle when you move to the hooks that hold the fabric. Then, use the hose attachment from a vacuum cleaner to get rid of the dirt from the inside of the track.
Next, group the slats by how many you need for each side of the blind. Make sure you notice the front and back of the slats. The back is where the fabric is folded under and you can see the crease. On a track that opens in the centre, the slats for each side should face the same direction.
When hanging the slats make sure the hooks are facing either to the left or right. If you hang them with the hooks facing you in the closed position they won’t rotate. Then simply add the chain onto the weights if you have ordered them. View the video for more of a visual guide. Help on fitting all blind types is available here.
Our most popular replacement vertical blind slats colours and features
Below are quick links to colour and feature categories for this fabulous range of replacement slats.
Blackout Vertical Blind Replacement Slats: Blackout vertical blind replacement slats are made from a special fabric that blocks light, creating a dark and cosy environment. You can replace your existing slats with blackout ones easily. Blackout slats can save energy, reduce noise, and protect your interiors from UV rays. They come in various colours and patterns to suit your style.
Soft PVC Vertical Blind Replacement Slats: Waterproof and mould-resistant soft PVC vertical blind replacement slats are ideal for humid rooms. They are durable and easy to clean. They come in various colours, patterns, and options to suit your style and needs. They are compatible with most tracks and headrails and easy to install. Soft PVC slats can update your windows and room with minimal cost and effort.
Rigid PVC Replacement Vertical Blind Slats: Rigid PVC replacement vertical blind slats are self-aligning, waterproof, mould-resistant, durable, and easy to clean. They have a smooth surface that reflects light and offers privacy and light control. They come in different widths, colours, patterns, and designs, and are compatible with most tracks and headrails. They do not need weights and chains and have a sleek and modern look. Order your free samples from our online store today.
White Vertical Blind Replacement Slats: Our pristine collection of White Replacement Vertical Blind Slats is a perfect blend of style and functionality for your home or office spaces in the UK. These made-to-measure slats offer an elegant solution to refresh your interiors, providing privacy, light control, and a clean, contemporary look. Explore our range today and transform your windows with these sleek, versatile blind slats in various features like patterned, plain and blackout.
Cream Replacement Vertical Blind Slats: Cream Vertical Blind Replacement Slats have been a timeless choice for homes and offices for many years. Providing a warm, inviting ambience while ensuring optimal privacy and light management their subtle elegance enhances any room, making them a versatile and stylish window treatment solution.
How to clean replacement vertical blind slats
We don't recommend that you put vertical blind fabrics in the washing machine. There are too many factors that determine if a fabric can be machine-washed, and we can't say for sure if your specific fabrics are safe to wash that way. Keep it simple is our best advice when cleaning any blind. For replacement slats, it depends on the fabric type. Water-resistant soft PVC fabrics can simply be wiped clean with kitchen towels or a damp cloth.
To prevent the build-up of dust on polyester or cotton fabrics simply wipe down the slats on both sides with a slightly damp cloth once a month. This will prevent the build-up of dust.
For more stubborn dirt marks you will need the following:
- Hoover with a brush attachment
- Bathtub with a few inches deep of lukewarm water
- Mild soap or baby shampoo
- A cloth
Follow these steps:
- Remove the chains and weights from the bottom of the fabric.
- Lay the slats on a table and hoover each slat with the brush attachment on both sides.
- Soak the slats in the bathtub and swish around.
- Any slats with more stubborn stains are wiped off with the cloth.
- Empty the soapy water, refill with clean water and rinse clean.
- Lay the slats in a warm/dry environment for a few hours until they are touch dry.
- Hang back on the track even if slightly damp and open the windows for hours to completely dry.
- Wipe down the weights and chains and reattach them to the track.
Where are your blinds made?
Our made-to-measure replacement vertical blinds are a testament to the manufacturing heritage here in the UK and Ireland. Each custom-made set of replacement slats in our collection is the result of close collaboration with the most experienced BBSA-accredited manufacturers across the regions. By choosing local expertise, we ensure that every blind meets our exacting standards. This commitment not only supports our communities but also allows us to offer vertical blind replacement slats made to fit your unique requirements perfectly. With our UK collection, you're choosing quality, sustainability, and the very best of British and Irish industry.
Customer Reviews
While we strive to be the best, we don’t judge what we deliver ourselves. That’s where our customers get their say. What is our pre-sales advice, product quality and after-sales service like compared to what we think it is? Our online UK collection is backed by real-life testimonials. We can’t filter them, so when we don’t reach our standards, those customers have their say too, and we learn from them. When you buy roller blinds online these reviews are your guide to why customers buy from us.
Buyers Guides
Our Buying Guides at Lifestyle Blinds are written to give you peace of mind by ensuring you're well-equipped to select the perfect blinds for windows in your home. We delve into every detail, from the intricacies of materials to the practicalities of installation. Whether you're navigating the vast selection of colours and textures, or deciding whether to upgrade to an electric option, our guides stand as a great guide. We're here to empower you with knowledge, so you can confidently make a choice that reflects your personal style.
