Which Type Of Blind Is Right For You?

Not all blinds are created equal--and there are more kinds than you might imagine. There are, in fact, no fewer than five main categories of blind type--so how can you decide which is best for your windows? Discover what the five types are and which situations make the best fit for them.

Vertical blinds comprise a series of long fabric or vinyl slats that can be tilted open or closed using a chain and drawn to one side using a cord or wand. You probably associate them most closely with retail premises and office buildings, but they can work brilliantly in a domestic setting: they're particularly useful for patio doors and very large windows.

Horizontal blinds are very similar, but more commonly found in a domestic setting: they're your traditional slatted blind, with a wand to increase or decrease the tilt and a cord to pull the blinds open or let them fall closed again. You can get these in metal, plastic, or wood, and there are plenty of colour options if you shop around a little. They're great for bathrooms as you can have plenty of light without compromising privacy, but they can be a little awkward to dust so many people avoid covering every window in their home with these blinds.

Cellular shades are fitted to a track on either side of your window, meaning that you have complete control over where and how they open: you can pull them from the top down to cover the bottom half of your window, from the bottom up to cover the top half or a little from each side to cover only a middle section. They make incredibly effective blackout blinds as they don't have holes for cords and strings, and their total coverage means they're the best insulating blinds on the market. Their only real disadvantage is that they need to be used inside a recessed window to work: if your window isn't recessed, you'll have to pick a different kind of blind.

Roller blinds have probably become the most common in a domestic setting, not least because they're available in so many styles--you can even get them custom printed! Pretty much any feature that's important to you--from total blackout to serious insulation to simple good looks--can be found on a roller. They're also inexpensive, easy to install and widely available. Not everyone likes the look of them and cheaper models won't be as durable as many other blind types, but they're a fantastic choice for a lot of applications.

Roman blinds are quite similar to rollers in that they're fitted across the top of a window frame, they can be used in any window and they're operated by a continuous cord that pulls them up and down. The similarities end when you consider how they're put together: while roller blinds use stiff materials on a roller, Roman blinds are generally made of backed fabric that sits at the top in what's known as a "Roman fold." They're a little more expensive and more likely to need cleaning than their roller counterparts, but they can look incredibly elegant and make a great addition to any living room. They're a particularly good choice for bay windows, as they look great left opened to differing lengths side by side.

For more information, talk to a professional like Townsville Blinds & Awnings.