Contemporary Vertical Alternatives

Q: I've heard that there are alternatives available to typical vertical shades and I'd like to know more about them. I'm hoping to find something other than conventional vertical blinds since my home is more contemporary. Can you help?

A: Of course! The most popular vertical blind alternatives are composed of cellular shades. Vertical cellular shades are comprised of pleated sheets rather than traditional vanes and provide a more contemporary and modern look to large windows and sliding glass doors. And vertical cellular shades come in a variety of colors and opacities which gives you even more control over the light in your home.

Much like traditional cellular shades (or honeycomb shades as they're sometimes called), vertical cellulars are made of rows of air pockets that expand as you pull the shade closed. These unique pockets, or cells, create an insulating layer between your home and the window, providing an energy efficient yet contemporary look to your windows.

A Different Kind of Cellular Blind

Q: I like the energy saving function of cellular blinds, but I'm not all that excited about the appearance. I have a more traditional décor and I'd like to find something that insulates like cellular but looks more conventional. Any suggestions?

A: Comfortex makes a blind that looks like a traditional blind but expands to work like cellular shades. The Odysee has soft blades that function much like a conventional blinds, but, instead of tilting, they expand to help block light. The blades (or slats) lay flat when not in use, but as soon as you want to increase your shade, light control, or privacy, simply use the appropriate controls to expand the blades to create a single-layer cellular shade.

Normal cellular shades are made from layers of fabric that create air pockets, or cells, when you expand the blind. The Odysee, however, has isolated each cell and collapsed them into slats for a more conventional appearance. Instead of tilting the slats, the Comfortex Odysee allows you to expand the cells, interlocking them to create an insulating layer between your room and the window. This way you get the look of a traditional blind and still reap the rewards of cellular shades!

Inexpensive Blinds for College

Q: My daughter's off to college next month and I want to make sure she is safe with adequate privacy. What blinds would you recommend for college kids (in dorms or off campus) that's cheap but still functional.

A: Most dorms come equipped with miniblinds which also happen to be a great alternative to more expensive shades and blinds for college. As we all know, college environments can cause excessive wear and tear on blinds and you'll want something that's functional yet still inexpensive and easy to replace. Mini blinds also easy to install and come in lots of fun colors to match any style.

Roller shades can also provide great privacy while still saving you money. Durable yet fashionable, roller shades come in all sorts of colors and many come with light diffusing properties as well. Like minblinds, roller shades are easy to clean, easy to install, and cheap to replace. Since they come in a wide variety of colors and textures, it'll be easy to find one that matches her taste.

Horizontal Alternatives

Q: I love the look and insulation of cellular blinds but I also really enjoy the look and feel of traditional horizontal shades. I don't want the rigid slats and wanted to know if there are any horizontal blind alternatives?

A: Yes! Comfortex recently released a new kind of horizontal blind called Odysee that combines the insulation and room darkening properties of cellular shades with the look and function of horizontal blinds. The best thing about these blinds is that they really do function as either a cellular shade or horizontal blinds whenever you want.

The Odysee blinds feature flattened single cells that function as the soft slats when the blind is being used as a horizontal blind. This feature is perfect because it allows you to maximize your view and control your light. One simple adjustment, however, and the cells expand. With open cells, the blinds darken the room while simultaneously insulating your window like a traditional cellular blind. You get the best of both worlds!

Vertical Shade Alternatives

Q: I need vertical shades for a large front window in my home and wanted to know if there were any other types of vertical blinds besides traditional slats.

A: Yes, in recent years, blind manufacturers have come up with incredibly fashionable alternatives to conventional vertical blinds. Sheer verticals, cellular, and sheerweave are the most common among them.

Sheer vertical blinds have been around for years and mimic the same soft appeal of sheer horizontal shades. These unique blinds provide both privacy and light filtering capabilities and give you soft aesthetics, too.

Cellular shades, those unique shades that trap air when in use, are now available as vertical shades! They're best known for their sleek design and energy-saving capabilities, helping you insulate your room against excess cold or heat while giving you a simple yet functional shade.

There are also sheerweave and solar shades that are available as vertical shades. These shades give you all the view while still blocking harsh sunlight. They're another great alternatives to traditional verticals if you're looking for a more contemporary or low-profile design.

Sheer Vertical Shades – Another Alternative to Vinyl

Q: I saw your blog on alternatives to traditional vinyl vertical blinds and was wondering if there were any other options along the same line. I'm hoping to find something with vertical slats but not weighted fabric.

A: You might want to try Sheer Vertical Shades. These shades are just like sheer horizontal shades but work like vertical blinds. The wonderful thing about sheer verticals is that you can have diffused light and total privacy all with one blind! The opaque fabric vanes hang between sheer sheets of fabric so if you tilt the vanes open you get light diffused through the sheer fabric. Close the vanes and you get additional light control and improved privacy.

Sheer vertical blinds come in a wide range of colors, too, so it's easy to find something that matches your rooms. You can even order options that let you either pull all the vanes to one side or split them down the middle. These are a great, soft, versatile alternative to traditional vinyl.

Soft Blind Alternatives

Q: I'm hoping to find something that functions like a blind but isn't rough or rigid like traditional wood or aluminum. Basically, I want the versatility without the slats. Can you help?

A: Of course! There are a few “blind alternatives” available. The most common are sheer horizontal blinds but there are other popular options like cellular and pleated shades. If you really want the slat “look” but with softer tones or light filtering, then you'll want to go with sheer horizontal shades. These shades have strips of opaque fabric suspended between sheer panels so that you have the best possible light control. You can leave the “slats” open to let in soft, diffused light, or you can tilt them shut for better privacy or to darken the room. Of course you can also raise these and let in full sunlight, too.

Cellular and pleated shades look a lot like traditional blinds but are solid pieces of fabric rather than slatted. These are great options for more contemporary looks but are still soft to the touch. In fact, cellular blinds have the added benefit of insulating your window against energy loss and noise.

My personal favorites are the sheer horizontal blinds because you have so many options for light control. But honestly, any way you go, all of these are great, soft alternatives to your traditional slatted blinds!

Wood Blinds with Color

Q: I love real wood blinds but, well, my room is a bit dark to begin with and I'm hesitant about the darker grains of wood. The room is small and I would really like to brighten it up a bit. Do they come in lighter or more colorful styles?

A: Yes they do! And you'll see that wood blinds (and faux wood blinds) come in all sorts of great colors and stains. You can choose lighter natural woods like maple or get one with a painted finish. Just because you have wood blinds, doesn't mean you need to keep the color of the wood!

You'd be amazed at the variety of colors you can get on wood blinds. There's everything from white to dark greens and blacks. This gives you a great opportunity to match anything in your room or, like you said, brighten things up a bit to make the room look bigger. There are a ton a gorgeous soft paint colors available. That way you get the real wood look with a lighter touch.

Of course, if you change you're mind, you can always order the darker stains or real cherry or oak. They're beautiful!

Light Filtering Horizontal Blinds

Q: I love horizontal blinds, but I like the light filtering qualities of some thinner shades, too. Is there any way to get both?

A: Try sheer horizontal shades!

Sheer horizontal shades are great for filtering bright light but they're also perfect for privacy, too. If you like the slatted look of regular horizontal blinds, you'll love sheer horizontal shades. Although they don't have rigid slats (the “slats” of sheer horizontal blinds are actually slips of opaque fabric), these shades still look like traditional blinds.

The best part about sheer horizontal shades is the sheer fabric that holds them together. When you tilt the fabric vanes open, you get filtered light. Tilt the blinds shut and you can block more light and get a lot more privacy. I'd highly recommend sheer horizontal shades for rooms with really bright sunlight because you can filter the light or block it completely. They also come in a wide range of colors and have a beautiful soft look that's especially nice for bedrooms or living rooms.

The Look of Wood Blinds Without the Fear of Warping

Q: I love the look of wood blinds but I live in a very humid climate. What options do I have for the look of wood blinds without the potential for warping?

A: Faux wood blinds!

Faux wood blinds are the perfect alternative to real hardwood blinds and capture the look and feel of wood without warping. While they look and feel like real wood, faux wood blinds are actually made from either a composite blend or PVC that's designed to resist humidity and warping. If you really want the look and feel of real wood, but need the durability of synthetics, faux wood blinds are the answer!

So what's the difference in composite or PVC versus real wood? Well, composite faux wood blinds are made of a blend of materials and generally weight up to 60% more than hardwood. Because of this blend, composite faux wood blinds are highly resistant to warping. PVC faux wood blinds, the same tough material that makes up those white plumbing pipes, can weigh as much as 100% more than real wood blinds. This industrial synthetic is not prone to warping at all! Both types are highly resistant to humidity and incredibly durable, and come in a wide range of colors and stains, making them the ideal choice for your kitchen or bathroom.

Remember that, although they are very durable, the slats on faux wood blinds are heavy and require more ladders (strings) to keep them in place. This additional weight means that you need more strength to raise faux wood blinds than you do with hardwood blinds. This is especially important if you're planning to install faux wood blinds on high, hard to reach windows or if your home has older residents who might have a difficult time raising the blinds.