Blind Styles: The Guide to Different Types of Blinds

At first glance, most blinds may look similar. The reality is, however, there are many different types of blinds to choose from to enhance the look and feel of your home. Window blind options include: wood blinds, panel track blinds, XL vertical blinds, and metal blinds.

Each style has its own unique features and benefits. Understanding the different styles and features will help you choose the best window treatments for your home and your personal preference. Once you’ve decided which types of blinds are right for your home, you can order material samples or request a free measurement to get the perfect fit. Let’s dive in.

Wood Blinds

Wood blinds offer a classic look and are a highly functional choice for any home. Wood blinds typically feature slats (which can come in a number of widths) that tilt to control light and privacy. Wood blinds can even be motorized to make them simple, sleek and efficient.

Other primary features of wood blinds include:

• Bold, rich colors
• Defined by natural, man-made, or faux wood materials
• Popular materials and finishes include: basic basswood, high-gloss basswood, exotic basswood, bamboo, and faux wood
• Ideal for family rooms, bedrooms, as well as bathrooms due to their moisture-resistant materials

Many customers end up choosing wood blinds over shutters, since they offer a similar look combined with the flexibility of tilting vanes. Wood blinds can also be raised and lowered, whereas shutters permanently cover large parts of the window.

At The Shade Store, our large collection of wood blinds offer a design solution for any style. Our wood blinds are made from a variety of materials and finishes. If budget is a concern, faux wood blinds offer the classic look and feel of wood blinds at an affordable price.

Our wood blinds are made from eco-friendly materials and blend well in any area of the home. Wood blinds add an especially warm, rich touch to family rooms and bedrooms.

Vertical Blinds

Vertical blinds add a touch of style and function to large windows and sliding glass doors. As the name suggests, vertical blinds hang vertically, and are great to cover wide windows and open areas.

Other features of vertical blinds include:

• Easy to operate
• Modern and simple look and feel
• Versatile material, great for light and privacy control
• Great for rooms with large windows, such as sunrooms or living rooms.

At The Shade Store, we offer vertical blinds in a variety of fabrics and materials. Choose from light-filtering patterns, naturals (like textured bamboo), basic solar, and even UV-protectant Chilewich fabric.

We offer two distinct types of vertical blinds: panel track blinds and XL vertical blinds.

Panel Track Blinds

With their wide, sweeping coverage, panel track blinds offer a sleek, modern drapery alternative for homeowners. Thanks to their seamless design, panel track blinds are easy to open and close, and glide effortlessly along the pre-installed track.

Primary features of panel track blinds include:

• Wide, sliding panels
• Glides effortlessly along track
• Panels can be left open to let light in, or easily attached

At The Shade Store, we have panel track blinds in many different colors, from crisp light grey shades to more striking dark colors, all available in our classic vertical blinds materials. No matter what kind of aesthetic you want to create, panel track blinds are the perfect everyday use blind to complement your style and add a finishing touch to your home or office.

XL Vertical Blinds

With their innovative design and classic look and feel, our signature XL vertical blinds can easily become a focal point of any room. With a wide range of material and color options, it’s easy to find the perfect match for any room that needs redecorating.

Primary features of XL vertical blinds include:

• Great for large windows (residential or corporate spaces)
• Extra wide 9 3/4″ vanes that rotate fully
• Easy to use with excellent functionality

Metal Blinds

Metal blinds are one of the most versatile types of window blinds. Metal blinds have become highly sought after as a way to make a statement and upgrade the design of any room in your house.

Metal blinds are available in 1’’ and 2’’ options and a number of colors, including the very unique ”Silver” and “Champagne” options in our 2’’ blinds.

Primary features of metal blinds include:

• 1’’ and 2’’ inch designs for horizontal blinds
• Slats made of sleek aluminum
• Simple and economical for homeowners
• Highly durable

Browse our full collection of custom metal blinds.

Other Types of Window Treatments

With so many customization options, blinds are an excellent window treatment to add the finishing touch to your home. If you’re looking for something different, however, you can also check out other types of window treatments, including drapes and shades.

Like blinds, shades come in a variety of styles and types, from roller shades to Roman shades and more! Learn more about different types of shades.

If you’re looking for a more formal window treatment option, drapes may be the perfect fit. With drapes, you can even customize the types of pleats. Learn more about drape styles and find inspiration to decorate your home and your windows.