Horizontal vs Vertical: Which Window Blinds Should You Get Your Home?

When installing window blinds, one factor that comes into play is whether to get horizontal or vertical blinds.

The two differ in their advantages and the environments they’re best suited for. To help you identify which option is the better fit for your home, we’ve come up with a guide: 

Advantages of horizontal blinds

Horizontal blinds come in different slat widths: micro, one inch or two inches. Here are several advantages of going horizontal:

  • Reduce the sun’s glare – With horizontal blinds, you can control the amount of sunlight that goes inside. You don’t have to worry about harsh sun rays shining directly on your furniture. You can adjust the tilt of the slats to allow the perfect amount of sunlight. 
  • Save on electricity – Horizontal blinds filter more sunlight that will minimize the heat transferred inside. Meaning, these blinds help reduce the load of air conditioners.
  • Better privacy – When you’re particular about privacy, it’s best to settle for horizontal blinds. Vertical blinds allow more light to pass through. If a person bumps into the blinds, the slats can open easily, giving outsiders a view of your interiors.

Where do horizontal blinds best fit?

Horizontal blinds will make slender windows look wider.

They are an excellent choice for windows that move up and down because the blinds follow the same path as the aperture’s openings. 

If your house faces north or south, you may want to consider going horizontal. The unique angle of sunlight will be more easily controlled using a side-to-side configuration.

Advantages of vertical blinds

As the name implies, vertical blinds have vertical slats that run up and down. Here are some advantages when you go vertical:

  • Low maintenance Since there is no horizontal surface for dust to settle on, vertical blinds can stay considerably cleaner.
  • Creates an illusion of space The long slats of the vertical blinds will add to the feeling of spaciousness in the window area.
  • More light allowed – Whether open or closed, vertical blinds allow more light to come in. When the blinds are stacked to one side when fully open, they allow a completely exposed window for an unobstructed view of the outside. 

Where do vertical blinds best fit?

Vertical blinds are best for windows that open from the side. They are great for large, wide windows, including the following:

  • French doors
  • Sliding glass windows
  • Backyard windows
  • Sunroom doors and windows
  • Patio doors
  • Bay windows
  • Wide windows
  • Sliding doors

If your house has east- and west-facing windows, consider installing vertical blinds. They block sunrise and sunset that would otherwise freely penetrate the building. Also, when vertical blinds are closed, they block out more light, ideal for windows in the way of direct sunlight.

Check out our wide range of window blinds

We at Total Window offer a wide range of blinds and customized window treatments. We have different styles to choose from, including aluminum, wood, and honeycomb.

Our goal is to identify the best ratio of light control for every room. Our company strives to provide the best possible customer experience by overseeing every aspect of the project, from measurements to customizations, and making sure you’re satisfied with the results.  

For more information about our blinds, get in touch with our team today.

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