Vertical Blinds

Vertical blinds are a great modern alternative to drapes and typical horizontal shades. Featuring slats that run top to bottom versus left to right, they provide maximum control over light and privacy, plus they’re easy to maintain. If you’re considering vertical window blinds for your home, be sure to know the following:

Are vertical blinds the right choice for me?

Like their name suggests, these blinds have vertical instead of horizontal slats that swivel open and closed or can be pulled to the sides of the window. Because they’re vertical by design, they can help add height to rooms with low ceilings, plus they work well with sliding glass or patio doors and floor-to-ceiling or bay windows. As a bonus, they’re also easier to clean, since they collect less dust than horizontal blinds.

What length and width of panel blinds will work for me?

Slats can range from 3 to 7 inches wide, so choose a style that’s complementary to the size of your window. Vertical blinds should cover the entire length of your window to provide maximum privacy and light control. Whether you choose an inside- or outside-mount style will determine the total amount of vertical space you’ll need. For inside mount carefully measure the inside of the window frame from top to bottom and from left to right, as well as the depth of the window. For outside mount measure from where you plan to hang the shade to where you'd like it to drop, and then measure from side to side. Be sure to add 1½ to 3 inches on the sides, top and bottom for overlap.

What’s the difference between inside-mount and outside-mount vertical blinds?

Inside mount and outside mount are two different ways you can hang your vertical blinds. Choosing one or the other basically boils down to your aesthetic preference. The inside-mount style sits inside the recessed window frame so the shades are flush with the wall, while the outside-mount style covers a larger area and is hung outside of the window frame and on the wall.