Made to slip, the long, wide forks of vertical blinds are useful on broad windows and sliding glass doors; whereas, horizontal blinds adapt smaller, narrower and taller windows. Vertical and horizontal blinds have distinct decorative and functional benefits, including systems for opening that optimize accessibility to lighting. Both vertical and horizontal blinds are made from vinyl, wood, vinyl and fabric, though horizontal fabric blinds are stronger, because they don’t touch the floor.
Long and Terrain
Easy access is 1 reason that sliding glass doors often feature vertical blinds rather than horizontal blinds. On broad windows, fabric blinds with broad, vertical slats filter lighting, especially when the blinds are made from a diaphanous fabric, such as silk or mild linen. The forks on vertical blinds are usually 3 1/2 inches broad. Wider slats emit more light when opened, however, wide vertical blinds produced from wood are sturdier.
Wide and Horizontal
Horizontal blinds are used on tall, narrow windows, and 2-inch slats are typical. Rolled up from the underside, as opposed to sideways, horizontal blinds lift via a cord-and-pulley system. Smaller panels emit less light when open, though flat blinds open partially to reveal the bottom window. Since horizontal blinds have been elevated to window flat, thinner slats are less vulnerable to wear compared to blinds made from aluminum, fabric or vinyl.