Vertical or Horizontal Blinds? Look at the Window Type and Location
If you've made the decision to install blinds over your windows instead of or in addition to curtains, now you have to choose the type of blinds to install. One of the choices you have to make is whether you want vertical or horizontal blinds. The choice you make will have an effect on your comfort and the light level in the room, so this isn't something you should quickly answer without thinking. Take a very good look at the window and consider the amount of light you want in the room when the blinds are closed. Those details will help you find the right blinds.
Try to Match Blind Direction With Window Type
First, try to match the blind direction (horizontal or vertical) with the window type and where the movable pane is. For example, if you have a window that you open by lifting up a pane, you'll want horizontal blinds so that, when the window is open, you don't have these vertical slats blocking one side of the open area. That looks very odd. The same goes for sliding windows; you'll want vertical blinds that you can move to one side. And be sure the blinds move in the same direction as the movable pane of the window. A casement window should be treated like a slider for the purposes of choosing blinds.
Do You Need Light Filtering or Room Darkening?
Light-filtering blinds are thinner and allow more light to come into the room. The light is diffuse and not bright, but the room will seem brighter with these. Thicker blinds are room-darkening blinds and make the room suitable for napping for most people. However, note that these are not similar to blackout curtains and will not make the room completely dark.
Do You Have Fans Near the Window?
This is going to sound very odd, but do you have box fans, ceiling fans, or even the direct airflow out of a central HVAC vent blowing toward the window? If you do, then you may want to put horizontal blinds on the window even if it's a slider. The airflow can cause the slats of vertical blinds, which are pretty much free to move in any direction, to suddenly move left, move right, separate with some moving in either direction and so on. That erases your ability to have any privacy from those blinds. Horizontal blinds will move, too, but because these blinds are secured on both sides by strings, you won't have nearly the amount of exposure as you'd have with vertical blinds.
When you look for blinds, check out galleries and catalogues from window companies. They often sell window coverings in addition to the windows themselves, and what they offer should be available in standard sizes that will easily cover whatever windows you have.
For more information on blinds, contact a company near you.
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