There is nothing more beautiful than the sun shining through your windows. It brings warmth and light while reminding you to go outside and enjoy the day. While it is great to harness this natural illumination, sometimes you need to block it out.
Curtains are useful but big and bulky and don’t work well for every window in your house. Do you know what it does? Window blinds. If you are interested in getting blinds for your home but don’t know where to start, you need a go-to guide for window blinds.
Here are the seven different types of window blinds:
Type #1: Horizontal Blinds
These are the standard blinds in offices, commercial buildings and home windows everywhere. They were originally called Venetian blinds because they came from Venice, Italy, in the late 1700s.
They are louvred, so they pivot on ladder cords up to 180 degrees to allow light in even when extended down. You can get horizontal blinds in different materials, including wood and metal. These types of blinds are operable with a lift cord, a cordless system or a wand tilt. You can shop for many styles of Hunter Douglas blinds, which look chic, elegant, and modern.
Type #2: Vertical Blinds
Vertical blinds work similar to horizontal blinds but instead of side to side, and they go, you guessed it, vertical. They work well for larger windows like sliding glass doors and are a great alternative to drapes. With drapes, you slide them open and closed, but your vertical blinds can also louvre open to let partial light in.
These types of window blinds are typically made from aluminum, plastic, wood, and fabric to block less light. You can either open them with a drawstring, stacking them to one side or parting them in the middle and gathering them at either side.
Type #3: Mini Blinds
Do you like the function of blinds but not the size? Typical Venetian blinds have 2 1/2” wide slats, but you can get mini blinds that measure 1” or smaller. These narrow slats can shut out more light and work well in bedrooms and kitchens. They are typically made from aluminum or vinyl and are more economical than other blinds. Choose these for smaller windows.
Type #4: Zebra Blinds
For a more modern look, you can go with zebra blinds. These corded or remote-control shades let light in as stripes to give you that zebra pattern on the wall. It is a sophisticated look with two different colours using a solid fabric and a sheer fabric alternating down the shade, giving you privacy while allowing sunlight to filter through. Zebra blinds can be installed in any window but look amazing in floor-to-ceiling windows. They come in any colour and can be used as blackout blinds.
Type #5: Panel Blinds
These hang like vertical blinds and are thicker and more rigid fabric. While they block light like all blinds, they can’t tilt, so your options are closed and open. Panel blinds work well for restaurants and offices and can even be utilized as room dividers besides a standard window treatment. This option separates work spaces while still having an open feel.
Type #6: Roman Blinds
Roman Blinds are made of fabric with mounting slats connected to cords, so they pleat as they are raised. This gives you a stack at the top that looks attractive. They are one continuous fabric so you can have total privacy and easily open and close with a pull cord to allow partial or full sun exposure. They can also be mounted halfway up a window to provide shade and privacy on the lower half of the window while giving you full sun on the top.
These types of window blinds were used in Rome at the height of the Roman Empire, over 2000 years ago and were designed for function over fashion. They are trendy and attractive, coming in almost any pattern or colour you desire.
Type #7: Motorized Blinds
Having motorized blinds is perfect if you are looking for an automated option. They give you a high-tech operation solution and are ideal for hard-to-reach windows. You can raise and lower all your blinds in unison for a cool effect, and they can even be linked to your smart home and controlled through an app so you can operate them while away from home.
For those with mobility issues, you gain freedom and function with just a click of a button, and you won’t get slats bunching up at one side or have to deal with pulling cords and figuring out the perfect position to release the blinds down. You can set a timer so they open up automatically every morning and close at night.
Blinds are a beautiful way to add style and decor to your home while giving you privacy and the ability to control how and when the sun shines in. Use this guide to help you pick the best type of window blinds for your home and enjoy as much shade as you need.