Trying to find the right types of window blinds for your home may seem an impossible task. However, we are here to help take you through all the nitty-gritty details of window blinds to find the right style for your windows. After all, blinds are not just practical, they can help you beautify your space too.
Blinds are a separate category of window treatments that is distinct from other window coverings like shades and curtains. Though people use all of these window treatments to provide privacy and light control, blinds have qualities that allow them to work with certain decor styles and on unique windows where other options do not fit.
Blinds are hard window coverings that you fit within a window frame. They are composed of vertical or horizontal slats that descend down a ladder string as you raise or lower them either using manual or mechanical mechanisms.
You can tilt these louvers or slats open or closed which allow partial light to filter through the window.
Types of Window Blinds
There are two broad categories of blinds: horizontal and vertical blinds with many distinct varieties of each. It is important to understand the qualities of each type to understand the best choices for your home windows. We will take you through the most popular window blinds and give you details on each.
Venetian Blinds
Horizontal or venetian blinds are the most popular window blinds today. There are multiple varieties that manufacturers craft with slats of plastic, wood, or metal. You can tilt these slats to let less or more light in as you desire. You can control the louvers on venetian blinds with a manual string.
These ready-made blinds are from JD Williams and feature slats in two sizes with six different colors. All Venetian blinds should fit inside the window frame.
Cordless Blinds
Venetian blinds also have cordless options. These work well for families with small pets or children who want to avoid the hazards that come from hanging strings. These Home Depot window blinds are faux wood blinds with an embossed grain pattern to mimic the look of wood blinds. There is no dangling cord which gives them a cleaner look than corded blind options.
Mini Blinds
Mini or micro blinds are another version of venetian blinds and feature horizontal slats. However, unlike standard venetian blinds, mini blinds tend to be made from aluminum. These have a smaller slat than traditional venetian blinds. The slat measure 1/2 inch and allow more light to filter through than wider slat varieties.
Wooden Blinds
Wooden venetian blinds are a classic choice. These are crafted from oak, walnut, teak, maple, and rosewood and come in light wood color, dark wood, reddish hues, and black. These real wood blinds are some of the most expensive types of blinds. However, there are faux wood blinds that have a similar style that are less expensive.
Smart Blinds
Smart home technology has reached the window blind market. These Levolor Real Wood blinds are crafted in the venetian style, but these are motorized blinds with a control that allow you to control the tilt of the slats. These are a good option for blackout blinds as the wide wooden slats provide a tighter close for more privacy and darkness. These are available from Lowe’s window blinds.
Fabric Blinds
Fabric blinds are a window cover that combines the style of shades with the convenience of blinds. The designers have created this window treatment using stiffened fabric that is still pliable. This gives the shades a softer look than traditional blinds made from metal, wood, or plastic.
Plastic blinds
PVC or vinyl are the most popular kind of plastic blinds. These are more cost-effective than wood blinds or motorized blinds and have the same functional capacity. While plastic may feel like poorer quality than the other options, many of these blinds use heavy duty PVC that lasts well over time.
Vertical Blinds
Vertical blinds are blinds for windows with vertical slats that hang down from top to bottom rather than side to side. They allow you to control the amount of light entering your home with the flexibility of being able to move them from side to side. These types of window blinds are used for large windows, odd shaped windows, and sliding glass doors like patio doors. Vertical blinds are crafted from PVC, wood, and fabric.
Panel Blinds
Panel blinds or panel track blinds are a type of vertical blind with a wide vertical fabric panel that hangs from a track you place at the top of a window or glass door. These blinds are good for full window coverage so they are a good option for blackout blinds. However, there are other sun filtering options available like light filtering and solar screens.
Vertical Wood Blinds
These vertical blinds are real wood that the manufacturers craft from 100% hardwood. These wooden window blinds come in a variety of shades and sizes. These blinds are a good option if you have patio doors that you need to cover while still maintaining a classic or formal style.
Vertical Faux Wood Blinds
Faux wood blinds are plastic blinds that mimic the grain of real wood. They are less expensive and more water and humidity resistant than real wood. In addition, they are lighter and more flexible which make them less prone to cracking.
Vertical Metal Blinds
These vertical metal blinds are made from high-quality aluminum. These are cost-effective and a good option for modern blinds as they are sleek and clean in their style. Aluminum is light-weight and resistant to rust.
Honeycomb Blind
Honeycomb blinds or cellular shades are the name for this window covering that is a cross between a shade and a blind. Manufacturers make cellular shades or honeycomb blinds from polyester fibers.
They have a louvered style look, similar to a venetian blind or pleated shade, with combs that pull down to cover the window. You will have complete privacy coverage with these pleated blinds. In addition, these make your windows more energy-efficient and provide sound insulation.
Different Window Treatments
All of the different kinds of window treatments are confusing for most people. Here is a quick guide of some of the different categories of window treatments.
Shades
Many times, people use the words binds and shades in place of one another, but while there is some overlap, they aren’t interchangeable. Shades, unlike blinds, feature panels made from soft fabrics and other material.
These cover the window and you can adjust them up or down as you desire. There are many kinds of window shade popular in home decorating: Roman shades, roller shades, and balloon shades.
Woven wood shades like bamboo and rattan have become a popular way to add texture to the room while still allowing filtered natural light into the room. These have a softer and more traditional look than blinds.
Curtains
Curtains are flat fabric panels that hang down on the sides of the window. Manufacturers sell these in pairs to cover each side of the window and come in various sizes for different window styles or sliding doors. Most curtains are crafted from fabric that is unlined or lined with a light backing.
Drapes
Drapes are similar to curtains in that they have the same shape and style as curtain panels. However, most drapes are made from heavier fabrics and lined with a heavy backing. This makes them ideal if you need thermal or blackout linings or if you are decorating a more formal style room.
Pros and Cons of Blinds Compared to Other Window Treatments
Not all window treatments are created equal; each window and situation is unique and requires thought and planning regarding which window coverings are the best for you.
Pros:
- Light control – Blinds give you more flexibility to control the light coming through the window. You can make incremental adjustments to the louvers of blinds to adjust the light in small degrees compared to curtains or drapes.
- Privacy control – In the same way that you can control the amount of light coming in the window, you can adjust the blinds to give you more or less privacy as your needs demand.
- Smart blinds – Unlike curtains, you can buy many blinds with motorized controls which allow you to operate them from a distance or program them for different times of the day.
- Simple style – Blinds have a simple and unfussy style that works well with contemporary decor.
- Cost – Cost – Certain blinds that suppliers make from materials like metal and PVC are cost-effective compared to curtains and drapes with extra hardware needs.
Cons:
- Maintenance – There are many moving parts on blinds from the louvers, to the ladder string, and the cords. These can break and be difficult to fix. The slats on blinds are also difficult to clean compared to curtains or shades.
- Cost – Certain blinds like wood blinds and quality PVC blinds are more expensive than curtains or shades.
- Style – Blinds have a style that doesn’t work well with traditional or classic style homes.
- Light blockage – In general, blinds are not as good as blackout shades or curtains at blocking out light.
- Colors and patterns – Retailers make blinds in various colors but the material of blinds limits both patterns and color options. This is different from curtains and shade which feature endless color and pattern options.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)FAQ
Which type of window blind is best?
There are many kinds of window blinds and reasons which make them work in certain environments. For example, PVC or plastic blinds work best in bathrooms where there is more humidity. Wooden blinds would not work well in a bathroom context but work well in living or dining room contexts. If you are looking for a long-lasting blind, choose wood or PVC rather than metal which tend to not last over time.
What type of window blinds are in style?
Wooden blinds and faux wood blinds are popular styles as they bring some texture to the room and have a look of custom window treatments. Honeycomb blinds and shades are another popular option as they insulate well.
Should blinds be lighter or darker than walls?
There is no rule regarding the color of blinds compared to the color of walls. In truth, blinds can be lighter or darker than walls. This depends on your preference.
Which blinds are best for privacy and light?
Vertical blinds provide the most options to control the light as you can find fabric blinds that use heavier fabric choices. Vertical blinds and thick slatted horizontal blinds cover the whole window to provide complete privacy.
What's the latest trend in blinds?
The latest trend in types of blinds is motorized blinds or smart blinds. You can control these with the click of a button compared to blind that you move by hand.
What is the most popular window covering in 2022?
There are various types of curtains, shades, and blinds that are popular in 2022. Curtains remain a popular style of window treatment for those looking for a classic or traditional style. Textured shades like matchstick or seagrass are popular options to add texture to your living space as are roman shades made of simple fabrics. Roller shades are popular for people who want to maintain a clean and simple style with minimal window treatments. Wood blinds and faux wood blinds are a popular choice for people who want a traditional look but don’t want curtains.
Types of Window Blinds: Conclusion
Our homes have many types of windows and not every window treatment option will work for all of them. Window blinds are a helpful addition to your window treatment options because they are cost-effective, energy-efficient, and have a contemporary look that many other window treatments cannot match.
Explore all of your options before you make your decision. If you take time to determine your needs, you will save valuable time and money in the long run.
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