Prepare to be shocked and amazed, vertical blinds come in a wide range of choices! It's sad but most people don’t seem to associate them with anything but vinyl.
When it comes to large windows, such as sliding patio doors and large bay windows, vertical blinds are pretty much the standard choice. They are highly functional, affordable and look pretty good. But, you aren’t likely to win any interior design awards. What you may not have known about vertical blinds is that they come with more than just vinyl slats. Truly amazed and excited at this point? THen, this may be the article you’ve been waiting for.
The first major option for vertical blinds is the cellular option. Vertical cellular shades have the same properties as cellular shades – insulation. So, if you want to make your windows more energy efficient you should seriously consider this option. Vertical cellular shades besides offering the insulating honeycomb feature come in different textures and even lace, if that fits your design ideas. Vertical cellular blinds are on the mid-to-high end of the price spectrum for vertical blinds.
Next up in the expansive world of vertical blinds are the fabric variety. Fabric vertical blinds have soft fabric vanes with weighted bottoms. They offer a softer look and feel as well as quieter operation and more style options. Fabric verticals come in a wide variety of fabrics including weaves, solids, textured solids and patterns in a variety colors. It is my opinion that using fabric vertical blinds is a nice compliment to windows with drapes. Fabric cellular blinds are on the low-to-mid end of the price spectrum for vertical blinds.
As if that weren’t enough, vertical blinds also come with faux wood slats. These are made from the same materials as horizontal faux wood blinds and are a good choice if you have faux wood blinds in a room, for a coordinated look. Faux wood vertical blinds also come in the same color choices as horizontal faux woods. Faux wood blinds are on the low end of the price spectrum for vertical blinds, similar in price to vinyl verticals.
Lastly, vertical blinds also come with aluminum slats. Vertical aluminum blinds are the right choice for modern-style decors. If your home or apartment has lots of steel and glass, aluminum vertical blinds will compliment this décor well with their crisp edges. They coordinate well with mini blinds, especially aluminum. Aluminum verticals do not offer a wide variety of color choices probably because the consumer interested in them has very specific design plans. Aluminum cellular blinds are on the high end of the price spectrum for vertical blinds but they are very durable and long-lasting.
There are, of course, vinyl vertical blinds. It seems a little redundant to mention them as there are probably not many people who aren’t aware of them and their attributes but, for the sake of completeness, I will. Vinyl vertical blinds are made from PVC plastic and come in a variety of colors, textures and patterns. They are durable and light weight and easy to clean. Vinyl verticals are also, typically, the most affordable type of vertical blinds but, are sometimes about equal with faux wood verticals.
There you have it, the definitive and expansive world of
vertical blinds. I hope that this article has given some much needed exposure to these once ho-hum but most deserving
window coverings. - David Brooks
