Aluminium shields you from view

The original inspiration for Venetian blinds were the window screens used in oriental harems. In France, in around 1812, this led to the term "jalousie" (jealous) being used for a grating at the window which allowed you to look out, but did not allow anyone outside to look in. English dictionaries also record "jalousie" as an English term for what we now know as Venetian blinds. They were known as "jealous" because the padishah (or sultan) was determined to keep his harem away from the prying eyes of other men.

Venetian blinds are still used today to regulate vision between the inside and the outside. They allow you to see or stop you from seeing. They also perform even more tasks by the use of new materials – such as aluminium.

In Germany, for instance, it was made law in 1996 to provide adequate lighting in working areas for work on computer monitors. The freely adjustable slats of aluminium blinds make this possible. The slats are resistant to scratching and to impact, they are light-proof, non-fading and do not build up electrostatic charges. The material is also well suited for rooms with high moisture such as bathrooms, swimming baths or saunas since it is weather-resistant and easy to clean. In addition, aluminium blinds can be used indoors and out, which is not the case with blinds made from textiles or fine rice paper.

Aluminium is also a valuable help as a component used with textiles such as cotton: an aluminium coating on the rear of textile pull-down blinds makes them impermeable to light and also reduces heat loss from the room, which helps save heating costs.

Aluminium as a shield and a multi-purpose regulator at the same time. It's enough to make you jealous …


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