What are the Different Types of Window Blinds?
Walking into a showroom to buy blinds only to find yourself facing down dozens of options can be overwhelming, especially if you’re just looking for something that looks good and blocks light. Wood? Faux wood? Aluminum? Vertical? Different types of window blinds each solve specific problems and knowing what makes them distinct makes selecting the right blinds significantly easier.
Rico's Window Coverings & Films has been serving Sacramento since 1958, helping generations of homeowners find the right blinds for every room. Start here to learn more about different types of blinds if you’re drawn to this style or check out our window treatments guide to learn about all the options available in our showroom.
Timeless and Versatile Wood Blinds
Real wood blinds offer unmatched warmth and texture, and each horizontal slat features a unique natural woodgrain pattern that adds organic texture to your decor. Whether you need window coverings in a hue to match your wall paint or gorgeous stains to complement wood furnishings, Parkland® Wood Blinds allow you to coordinate with a range of color palettes and decor styles.
Wood blinds are an excellent choice for living rooms, bedrooms, home offices, and dining rooms. However, some environments, such as kitchens and bathrooms, are not compatible with this moisture-sensitive material. While wood blinds are coated in a durable finish, faux wood blinds may be a better choice in rooms with high humidity.
Gorgeous and Practical Faux Wood Blinds
Nearly identical to the real thing, faux wood blinds with horizontal slats made from composite materials resist moisture and warping and are a breeze to keep clean. This resilience makes them ideal for bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and other high-humidity spaces where genuine wood could suffer damage.
Composite blinds stay straight and true through summer heat and winter cold, while natural wood may expand and contract with temperature changes. For homes with large windows facing afternoon sun, fade-resistant faux wood offers excellent long-term performance, too.
Low-Maintenance and Minimalist Metal Blinds
When it comes to chic, long-lasting window treatments, you can’t go wrong with horizontal metal blinds. Available in dozens of hues, Modern Precious Metals® Mini Blinds coordinate with most palettes and clean up beautifully with a damp cloth and minimal effort.
Metal blinds also come in a variety of slat sizes, from .5" to 2", so you can tailor your home's windows and your view of the outdoors. Narrower slats offer a sleek, modern look along with precise light control, while wider slats create a bolder visual statement and allow more natural light to flood the room when open.
Chic and Functional Vertical Blinds
Vertical blinds use hanging vanes instead of horizontal slats, making them a natural fit for sliding glass doors and expansive windows. The vanes slide along a track to stack neatly when opened, clearing the entire doorway for easy passage.
Available in fabric, vinyl, or aluminum, Hunter Douglas Somner® vertical blinds are a popular choice. Fabric vanes add softness and insulation, while vinyl resists fading in sunrooms and won't warp in humid areas like bathrooms and kitchens. Meanwhile, aluminum vanes offer a sleek, modern look with durable, low-maintenance performance.
Choosing the Right Blinds for Your Space
Rico's Window Coverings & Films carries Hunter Douglas blinds in all of these styles, and during your free in-home consultation, we bring samples to your Sacramento, Folsom, El Dorado Hills, Roseville, Rocklin, or Granite Bay home. That way, you can see how different materials and colors look in your own lighting, rather than guessing from showroom displays.
Our family has operated in Sacramento for over 60 years, and we handle everything from measuring to installation. Contact Rico's today to schedule your free consultation and let us help you find the perfect blinds for your windows.