In today’s time, blinds are the best option for redesigning windows and homes. It has become the best alternative to curtains and improves the aesthetic appearance of your home and office. Binds also enhance the practicality of your room while making your home decoration awesome.

While purchasing blinds for windows of your home or office, you will come across two different types – horizontal and vertical blinds. Of course, both are good options and are available with their own set of advantages and disadvantages.

When it comes to horizontal blinds, they are one of the most commonly used blinds. These types of blinds generally represent the traditional 1’’ to 2’’ slat blinds that are quite often visible on different sizes of windows, be it small or medium size.

As far as vertical blinds are concerned, these are generally larger slats. These types of blinds are designed in the way to hang from a head rail that is generally mounted on a track. It’s common among both offices and homeowners for cover especially the sliding glass and also large windows. 

So, you might be thinking about whether you should use horizontal blinds or vertical blinds, right? Well, we will help you decide the right options between horizontal and vertical blinds and help you find the best option to use. Take a look.

Differences Between Vertical and Horizontal Blinds

Let’s explore here some points that will help you to know the actual differences between horizontal and vertical blinds.

1. Compatibility

When it comes to vertical blinds, these are highly compatible especially when sliding or also patio doors, or also larger size of windows. They can easily run up and also down and open side to side. Horizontal blinds are indeed a perfect match for narrower, small, and also taller windows since they can open down and up.

Vertical blinds are available in different designs, schemes, materials, functionality, and more. For patio doors, vertical blinds are considered to be the right option.

As far as horizontal blinds are considered, these are available in different types of materials, textures, functionality, colors, size, designs, etc. Apart from this, you can also implement various horizontal blinds in different types of windows of any shape and size.

2. Energy Efficiency

Be it horizontal or vertical blinds, both of these blinds are designed with top-quality materials and also serve their actual purpose of offering great protection from sunlight. Meanwhile, most people observed that vertical blinds work effectively when it comes to blocking sunlight from coming inside and also making your room hot. It protects you from unbearable heat.

Horizontal blinds indeed serve their actual purpose but not in a perfect way. Vertical blinds are indeed convenient especially during winter, especially when compared to those horizontal blinds.

Apart from this, the slats of various vertical blinds tend to overlap making a barrier that results in the shielding of harsh glare and also home from heat.

Vertical blinds are the best option from an energy efficiency point of view when compared to horizontal blinds as they are known for having a good insulation characteristic.

3. Usage

Both horizontal and vertical blinds are the best options when it comes to the window treatment. But, these two blinds are available for different types of windows. Vertical blinds are a good option for covering those wide and long windows, as also various sliding glass doors, conservatories, and also French windows.

These types of blinds are popular as bigger slats and also tend to hang up on the window opening. It ensures easy access and also enough light control. One can easily push out vertical blinds since they have vertical alignments and also have wider slat that permits the entering of less light.

Moreover, horizontal blinds are the right option, especially if you have narrow and small windows. These types of blinds are known to have thin slats when compared to their vertical counterparts and also can be the most appropriate for those traditional windows that are opened for circulating air. Thinner slats are not so efficient when blocking the light. This is the reason why they are good for medium or small-sized windows.

4. Cleaning

Cleaning and maintenance are other important things that you need to take into account when making a selection of the right option between horizontal and vertical blinds. You need to understand the fact that cleaning both types of blinds is essential for improving their life.

Meanwhile, cleaning vertical blinds is quite easy compared to those cleaning vertical blinds. You just need one sweep for cleaning vertical blinds. Horizontal blinds, on the other hand, include several other kinds of mechanisms and also strings that are perfectly attached that cause certain difficulties.

Besides, horizontal window blinds are indeed implemented on hard for reaching several windows so reaching the same for cleaning is indeed tough. You can clean vertical blinds most efficiently but since they rely on just one track with moving different slats, they are likely to wear out needing replacement.

5. Size of Slats

If we talk about the size of slats, vertical blinds have larger ones compared to the slots of those of horizontal blinds. Horizontal blinds’ slat never touches the floor but the slat of vertical blinds indeed do the same. Horizontal blinds tend to make less noise. 

Meanwhile, vertical blinds’ slats become noisy especially during the wind, especially when the tracks are not greased regularly.

When to Use Vertical Blinds?

Well, vertical blinds are considered to be the right option for large windows and sliding doors. These are often difficult to cover with the use of other types of window treatment. Vertical blinds are quite effective for different types of doors or windows.

Some of the best places to use vertical blinds are bay windows, wide windows, large French windows, sliding glass doors, large windows, patio doors, and many more. You need to consider the size of the door or window when it comes to making a selection of vertical blinds. If you have a larger size door or window, you need the wider slat for the same. 

When it comes to budget blinds, these are something that makes it fully convenient for you when it comes to getting the best fit of vertical blinds both for your doors and windows, with its fully customized options. You can get the option to customize the size of both vane or slat for matching the needs of unique-sized windows.  

When to Use Horizontal Blinds

Horizontal blinds are the best option for covering especially those narrow and tall windows. These blinds are quite less likely for exposing the interior of your office space or home. These blinds are good for narrow and tall windows due to their unique design.

Whether you need privacy or less noisy blinds, you can go for none other than horizontal blinds. They are long-lasting and also don’t touch the floor.

Final Words

So, after going through the above discussion, you may now have enough information regarding the right option between horizontal and vertical blinds. You need to first decide the type of window or door you have and choose the best option for you.

FAQs About Vertical vs Horizontal Blinds

1. Are vertical blinds outdated?

No, vertical blinds are not outdated. Vertical blinds are still relevant and considered to be the modern way of covering windows and doors. These blinds are fully functional and also highly available in modern materials and fabrics. You can use these blinds to cover larger doors or windows. 

2. Should vertical blinds touch the floor?

Vertical blinds are meant to be mounted approximately 3 inches above the opening of the window. The installation is done in a way that vanes should never touch the floor and should fall short of the floor. Height is crucial for various vertical blinds. 

3. Where should horizontal blinds sit?

One can install a horizontal window in two main ways – outside or inside the opening of the window. An inside mount tends to hang inside the frame of the window. In this, an outside mount generally attaches to the window or wall trip, which depends on the actual coverage you need.