Window treatments make such an important statement about your home, and without them a house does not even feel finished. Vertical window blinds have been a popular option in window decor for decades now and are an option you might want to look into when considering new window blinds for your home.
When vertical blinds were introduced, they literally took the idea of the common horizontal Venetian blind and turned it on it's side, with the slats, or vanes, running from the top to bottom of a window rather than side to side.
Vertical window blinds are attached to an overhead track and usually also have a cord or a chain that connects the bottom of the vanes loosely so that they do not become tangled. They also have a cord attached at one end of the track to facilitate easy sliding of the vanes to one end of the track.
The vanes can be rotated 180 degrees which allows for excellent light and air flow control and also allow for a level of privacy control that can not be achieved with traditional horizontal window blinds. This is because, with the right positioning, the maximum amount of light can be allowed into an interior space, while maintaining complete privacy.
The rotation of the slats on vertical shades can be manipulated either by a second pull cord, or by the use of a safety wand, which is becoming the preferred method of opening and closing the vanes. The safety wand is normally located to the same side as the pull cord and is used by rotating the wand either clockwise or counter clockwise, causing the vanes to rotate in synchronization with the wand movements.
With motorized window blinds, the opening and closing of the vertical blind, and the rotation of the vanes can optionally be controlled electronically with motors driving the movement and adjustments and a remote control signaling the instructions to the motors.
One of the advantages of vertical blinds is that they can cover a very wide window opening almost without limit to width, and without sagging or dividing the blind into two or more sections which is common with horizontal blinds.
Ease of access to outside areas through sliding glass windows or French doors is another reason to consider vertical shades over the more conventional Venetian window blinds. With vertical blinds you can simply slide the blind to one side away from the access area for unobstructed use.
Vertical shades are available in an excellent array of different materials, making it a simple matter of choosing the right selections to match or compliment your decor. Some of the materials you can choose from are aluminum, vinyl, wood and a huge choice of fabrics. They can also be treated with special finishes or textures to blend right in with any style. There are some vertical blinds that even have the appearance of draperies, and these are a particularly nice choice for sliding glass doors, especially those that are easily see from the exterior of the home.
Vertical window blinds are also easier to keep clean than their horizontal counterparts because the dust does not have a flat surface to collect on like it does with horizontal blinds. It's easy to keep vertical shades clean with a quick swipe of a damp cloth or a bit of vacuuming.