Functional and decorative, Blinds are functional and decorative, meaning you can use them on doors and windows to direct, filter, or block out light. You can buy blinds in paint and tile stores, home furnishings stores, home centers, and through a decorator.
With so many types of blinds to choose from, finding the right one for your needs can be challenging,
Here, we’ve found our favorite blind types to help you see your way through the process.
Table of Contents
Types of Blinds
Roller Blinds
Roller blinds feature a single panel of fabric that rolls down from a top bar. They also have a weighted bottom bar for added stability.
Because roller blinds are made of fabric, they’re available in many colors and whimsical prints. You can find roller blinds made from light-filtering voile fabrics and two-layer day-and-night fabrics.
If you choose day-and-night blinds, you’ll have better control over the amount of light in your room. The optimal light control you get from a day-and-night roller blind is similar to what you’d get with horizontal blinds.
Roman Blinds
This type of blind is one of the most luxurious blinds out there. Roman blinds are made from decorative fabric with stiffener rods sewn into the back in several places. The stiffener rods allow these blinds to fold neatly up toward the top of your window when opened. When closed, these blinds lay flat as a smooth piece of fabric.
This elegant window covering is available in a variety of fabrics, from a rustic weave to faux silk. You can also find designer prints and beautiful colors.
Vertical Blinds
This vertical option is perfect for use on large glass doors, like patio or backyard doors. If your door needs coverage from the floor to just a few inches below the ceiling, you can install vertical blinds.
These vertical blinds are long enough to cover the entire glass door and block all light shining in. They are also great for large windows. If you want them out of your way to open a door, they simply slide to the left. These blinds are easy to install and are not a high-end option, making them suitable for people on a tight budget.
Vertical blinds are usually made from vinyl, but some options may also use other materials.
Tie-Up Shades
Tie-up shades are like a cross between curtain blinds and window blinds. They’re available in a broad range of materials. These blinds are constructed from a piece of fabric that features ties. You can raise the blinds by rolling them up and then tying them in place. This style of shade offers a casual look that blends seamlessly with many décor styles.
Pleated Blinds
Pleated blinds are sometimes referred to as pleated blinds. These blinds feature a material that’s pleated so that the blinds can be raised or lowered. These shades look similar to Venetian blinds while also “softening” the look of any window. But, they cannot be adjusted from side to side.
Cellular Blinds
Cellular blinds are also known as honeycomb blinds and look similar to pleated blinds. However, unlike pleated blinds, cellular blinds feature two different pieces of material.
The front and back sections of the cellular blinds open in the middle, which creates a pocket that provides thermal insulation. Cellular blinds come in a range of cell sizes designed to fit different windows.
These blinds are a superb way to keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Cellular blinds also provide sound insulation.
Solar Blinds
Solar blinds are very similar to roller blinds. Their purpose is to reduce the amount of sunlight, UV rays, glare, and heat entering the living room from outside while preserving the window’s view. If you want to limit the effects of sunlight, then solar blinds are the best option.
Outdoor Blinds
Outdoor blinds feature heavy-duty, weather-resistant materials. You can install these blinds outside the windows you want to cover.
Outdoor blinds are often used on patio doors or windows to reduce the amount of sunlight and heat entering the area, although internal blinds like skylight blinds or solar blinds are also used for these purposes.
Skylight blinds
Skylight blinds are available in many different styles. These blinds are suitable to cover difficult-to-reach skylights. Plus, these blinds can insulate the glass roofs of conservatories.
Skylight blinds usually feature a large removable rod used to lower, raise, or adjust the blinds.
Sometimes, skylight blinds are raised or lowered with a handle instead of a rod. You’ll also find automatic versions of skylight blinds.
Smart Blinds
Smart blinds or high-tech modern blinds are becoming increasingly popular thanks to smart home technology. Smart blinds and shades come in many traditional and contemporary styles.
These blinds can sync with a smartphone application and be controlled via a remote. They can also be programmed to close and open at certain points during the day. Not only are these high-tech blinds some of the most attractive on the market, but they can also help reduce energy costs.
If you want smart blinds but don’t want to shell out money, you can choose smart controllers. These smart controllers allow you to equip your existing blinds with the same smart technology that expensive smart blinds use.
Wood Blinds
Wood blinds are a great choice for most applications. They offer the warmth and natural beauty of wood, and they’re available in a variety of stains, types of wood, and colors. Wooden blinds are suitable for most rooms in your home, but they aren’t the best choice in rooms where humidity and moisture are a concern. Because wood is a natural material that can expand and contract over time, wood blinds are susceptible to splitting, warping, cracking, or breaking.
Faux Wood Blinds
Faux wood blinds look as good as real wood. But, they’re made from synthetic materials and are more economical than wood blinds. Because faux wood blinds don’t use natural wood, you can use them in rooms with higher humidity, such as bathrooms. They’ve become a popular choice for any application because they’re so durable and affordable.
Plastic
Plastic blinds are one of the most budget-friendly options out there. They’re available in many colors and sizes. They’re well suited for most applications, particularly areas where fabric blinds aren’t suitable. However, they don’t provide the luxurious look that you see with other blinds, such as real wood blinds. Plus, there are environmental considerations when choosing plastic products, so you may want to miss this if you’re eco-conscious.
Metal
Metal blinds provide a similar look to plastic blinds and are available in an even larger range of finishes. They’re moisture-resistant, making them an excellent choice for humid environments and bathrooms. You’ll also find metal blinds in different gauges. And smaller gauges are thicker and more durable. Because these blinds are made of metal, they are the noisiest variety and may not be suitable for some people.
Paper
Paper shades are a nice choice for many different decor styles. These shades are usually a solid color, but sometimes they feature decorative motifs, pictures, or paintings. Graphic shades are very popular in Asia and can make a unique addition to your home.
Natural Fabric Blinds
The most common natural fabric blinds you’ll see include cotton, jute, and seagrass. These shades are relatively easy to clean, and they’re also durable. However, they aren’t fade-resistant and can suffer damage from the sun’s UV rays over time.
Synthetic Fabric Blinds
Like natural fabrics, these blinds are also durable and easy to clean. But, synthetic fabrics are highly resistant to fading and maintain their beauty for longer.
Blackout Blinds
One of the most popular types of blinds is blackout fabric blinds. With this fabric, external light is completely blocked by the shade. This option is great for bedrooms, as well as in rooms where you prefer privacy.
Thermal Blinds
This is another popular blind type that you’ll find in many shades. Thermal fabric blinds feature insulating pockets. Usually, the thermal fabric is sewn onto the back of decorative fabrics. In most cases, there is a thermal lining inside of the blinds. But some blinds may feature thermal fabric sewn onto the back of a decorative fabric. This additional layer helps insulate windows, keeping the room cool in the summer and warmer in the winter.
Sheer Blinds
If you’re looking for superior functionality and an attractive look, consider choosing sheer fabric blinds. These blinds serve the same purpose as other blinds, and you can also adjust them to increase or decrease the amount of sunlight entering a room.
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Features to Consider When Buying Blinds
Blinds are the most popular form of window treatment. Their stylish appearance, ability to control the amount of light that gets into a room, and easy operation make them worth installing in homes. However, you’ll need to consider certain factors before choosing window blinds suitable to your particular needs and preferences. Read on to learn about those important factors so that you can find the perfect blinds for your home.
Purpose
Some homeowners choose a window covering that adds elegance to their home décor, while some simply want to improve the functionality of their house. Look at your lifestyle and consider which types of blinds matter to you the most. Do you want a stylish look? Or do you want privacy and light control? All these questions and their answers will guide your decision-making.
Budget
Try to make your budget before buying blinds for your home. As prices depend on the size, larger blinds will cost more. If you’ve got an unlimited budget, go for custom-made, motorized blinds. However, if you’re looking for something affordable, choosing ready-made blinds will be your best bet.
Home interior decoration
The blinds should complement your home’s interior decoration. And with window blinds, you get a wide range of colors to choose the best one. If your living room has natural tones, blinds of subtle colors can work wonders. However, if you want to add vibrancy or brightness to your room, go for window treatments in bolder colors.
Privacy and light
If you want to maintain privacy and adjust light inside your home, choose blind types on that basis. Do you want to allow natural light to come in or block harmful UV rays? For example, to provide privacy and block light, cellular or blackout blinds will be perfect. And if privacy and light control aren’t your concern, blinds made of sheer fabric will do.
Safety
If you have children and pets, we recommend choosing the safest blinds on the market. In that case, cordless blinds are your safest window treatment option. Unlike their corded counterparts, these blinds have no pull cords, which could be a potential threat to kids and pets.
Window measurements
Knowing the exact size of your windows makes choosing the most suitable blinds a lot easier. Make sure to measure your window from the top panel to the bottom. If you aren’t sure what to include or exclude, get help from the professionals during window measurement. Without correct measurements, you are likely to end up buying blinds in the wrong size. Also, if you don’t want to take the risk of buying ill-fitted blinds, go for custom-made blinds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy expensive or inexpensive blinds and shades?
For a short-term purchase, less expensive options may be the answer. And for long-term purchases, it is smart to choose the more expensive product. However, the best option is to find a reliable supplier and settle only for blinds and shades worth their quality.
Is product warranty important when purchasing blinds?
Most reputable brands will offer a limited lifetime warranty, meaning that the product is warranted throughout its lifetime. This warranty may cover certain parts of the product. And may only cover fabric and cord issues for a limited time. Besides, warranties only cover the replacement or repair of the product but not the cost to remove, re-install, and ship it.
Are motorized blinds a good option for child safety?
Yes. Child safety is one of the main reasons for the surge in popularity of motorized blinds. Many brands are taking stringent measures when designing cord-controlled blinds due to child safety concerns. If you have young children and pets, then motorized blinds are a perfect option for your windows.
Why should I operate my blinds with my mobile device?
Security is the most common reason people operate their blinds with these devices. They can operate blinds anywhere and at any time, giving the illusion that their property is occupied. Also, they can program the blinds to work on a timer for optimal sun control at all times.
Should I have window blinds installed professionally?
The consumer can easily install most blinds as instructions come with the packaging. However, some warranties can be voided if not installed by a professional installer. Also, we recommend hiring a professional installer for all motorized blinds to be on the safer side.