When to Use Vertical Blinds Instead of Horizontal Blinds

If you’re like most homeowners, the prospect of updating your window blinds probably has you reeling at the sheer number of options available. You can choose from a bevy of materials, colors, finishes, and operation mechanisms in order to make your window treatments your own. One of the first choices you’ll probably find yourself faced with, though, involves style: Should you use vertical or horizontal blinds in your home.

Both types of window blinds will provide you with privacy while helping to control how much natural light makes its way into your living spaces. Horizontal and vertical blinds also play a role in setting the tone of a room, making them an important part of your décor. So, how can you tell when to use vertical blinds instead of their horizontal counterparts? Read this handy guide to find out.

When to Choose Vertical Blinds

Vertical blinds consist of long, narrow vanes typically made from vinyl, aluminum, wood, or polyester fabric. These vanes hang from a headrail installed above your window and can be angled to fully obstruct the window or orient natural light in a particular direction. If you want, you can also slide all the vanes of your vertical blinds to one side of the window in order to fully enjoy the view.

The unique design of these window blinds makes them particularly useful for:

Floor-to-Ceiling Windows

Finding the right treatments for expansive windows can prove tricky. After all, the design of horizontal blinds makes it impossible for this otherwise commonplace window treatment to match the dimensions of your floor-to-ceiling windows or provide effective coverage.

Vertical blinds, on the other hand, were designed with walls of glass in mind. When you invest in custom window blinds, your treatments will receive vanes sized to match the exact dimensions of your windows. Gravity ensures these vanes will hang neatly, offering the coverage you desire, no matter the size of your windows.

Sliding Glass Doors

The same characteristics that make vertical blinds a smart choice for floor-to-ceiling windows also makes these blinds perfect for sliding glass doors. But these window blinds have one more benefit to offer those looking to use their glass patio doors to embrace an indoor-outdoor lifestyle. By stacking the vanes along one side of your windows, you can make space to easily move through your doors without fear of running into your window treatments or knocking them down.

It’s also worth noting that customization options for vertical blinds abound. This makes it easy to find window treatments that feel like an organic extension of your décor, whether you want vanes boasting crisp lines, gentle curves, subtle colors, or bold hues.

When to Choose Horizontal Blinds

If vertical blinds were designed to accommodate large windows or sliding glass doors, horizontal blinds can provide the stylish coverage you need for almost every other window in your home. This includes spaces where:

You Need Consistent Light Control

While vertical blinds will provide the best possible coverage for large windows, the lighter vanes have a tendency to shift in the face of the slightest breeze. This leads to small glimmers of light slipping into your home.

Horizontal blinds, on the other hand, tend to have greater weight. This, coupled with the fact that they’re installed inside your window sill, often means that these window blinds are more resistant to movement and consequently offer more consistent light control.

Privacy Is Essential

In some rooms—like the bedroom or bathroom—sacrificing your privacy just isn’t an option. In spaces like this, you need a window treatment that won’t shift and that will effectively block off the outside world no matter the light levels indoors or outdoors. Horizontal blinds fit that bill, with hefty slats that you can close for complete coverage when you want it.

Horizontal blinds also come in a variety of styles, materials, and colors. This means you can personalize your window treatments to complement your personal taste.

Let Southern California’s Leading Supplier Provide You With Custom Blinds

Finding the right window blinds for your home won’t cause a headache when you partner with Galaxy Draperies. Contact us today to schedule your consultation and learn more about the custom vertical and horizontal blinds we offer.