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Vinyl and metal blinds make up about 60% of window coverings in U.S. homes. That figure comes from the U.S. Department of Energy. With so many materials and mounts to choose from, it's easy to buy the wrong blind for your window or room.
Maybe you measured a window, ordered blinds, and they didn't fit. Or the wood slats you hung in the bathroom warped within a year. Choosing the right type and mount up front helps you avoid both problems.
This guide walks through the main types of blinds, where each one works best, and how installation actually works. First, we cover horizontal and vertical blinds and how they differ from shades. Then we explain mounting, the install steps, and when it pays to hire a pro.
Blind makers ask you to measure to the nearest ⅛ inch, because custom blinds are built to the size you order. A shallow frame or a small measuring error can keep a blind from fitting at all. That is why our process starts with a free in-home measure.
The two main types of blinds are horizontal and vertical. Horizontal blinds have slats that run side to side. They come in vinyl or aluminum mini blinds, faux wood, and real wood. Vertical blinds have long slats, called vanes, that hang from a track. They work best on sliding doors and wide windows.
Most blinds go up the same basic way:
Wider blinds often need extra support brackets. A small measuring error can keep a blind from fitting.
Horizontal blinds are a common sight in homes. Their slats run side to side and tilt to let in light or block it. The material you pick changes how the blind looks, how long it lasts, and which rooms it suits.
Vinyl and aluminum mini blinds are the budget-friendly option. They wipe clean easily, so they work well in kitchens, laundry rooms, and rentals. They are light and simple, but the thin slats can bend or crease over time.
Faux wood blinds are made from PVC or a wood composite that looks like real wood. They resist moisture and warping far better than real wood. That makes them the go-to pick for bathrooms, laundry rooms, and kitchens.
Real wood blinds give a room a warm, natural look. Wood is lighter than faux wood, so it is easier to lift on larger windows. It is not a good fit for humid rooms, since moisture can cause warping.
Here is how the options compare:
Slat size matters too. Mini blinds usually have 1-inch slats. Wood and faux wood blinds often come in 2-inch or 2.5-inch slats. Wider slats mean fewer slats in the window, which gives you a clearer view when they're open.
If you're torn between wood and faux wood for a bathroom, choose faux wood. Blind makers recommend it for high-humidity rooms because it won't warp or crack the way real wood can. You still get the look of wood without the risk.
Vertical blinds have long slats, called vanes, that hang down from a track at the top. The vanes tilt to control light and slide sideways to open. That side-to-side motion makes them a natural fit for patio doors and wide windows.
Because the vanes hang straight down, dust has fewer flat places to settle. You can also open them part way to walk through a sliding door without lifting a heavy blind. On a wide opening, that is easier than raising a long horizontal blind.
Vinyl vanes are firm and easy to wipe clean. Fabric vanes give a softer look. They suit living rooms and bedrooms where you want a warmer feel.
Here is what to weigh:
If you have a patio door or wide window, check out our vertical blinds installation service.
Blinds are made of slats, while shades are made of one continuous piece of fabric. That one difference changes how each one controls light. With blinds, you tilt the slats to adjust light without raising them. With shades, you raise or lower the whole panel.
Here is a quick side-by-side:
Common shade styles include roller, Roman, cellular, and solar shades. Roller shades roll up tight around a tube. Roman shades fold into soft pleats. Solar shades cut glare while keeping your view. Cellular shades have honeycomb pockets that trap air. To see which styles homeowners are choosing most, read our guide to the most popular blinds right now.
Those air pockets matter for comfort. The U.S. Department of Energy notes that blinds block some sun but do not insulate much. It also found that cellular shades save more energy than other shading types. If cold windows bother you in winter, a cellular shade may serve you better than a blind.
If a shade sounds like the better fit, browse our shades and other window treatments.
Quick tip: Want to let in light without raising the covering? Choose blinds, since the slats tilt. Want a soft look or better insulation? Choose shades.
Most blinds install the same basic way, whether they are vinyl, faux wood, or real wood. The work is simple to describe, but each step depends on the one before it. If the brackets are off, nothing after that will sit right.
You'll need a few basic tools:
Here are the main steps for a horizontal blind:
Vertical blinds go up a little differently. The track mounts first, on the wall, the ceiling, or inside the window frame. Then each vane clips into a small stem on the track, one at a time.
Before you drill a single hole, you need to decide where the blind will sit. An inside mount fits within the window frame. An outside mount attaches to the wall or trim above the window. Each one looks different and gets measured differently.
Inside mount gives you a clean, built-in look. The blind sits snug in the frame, and your trim stays on display. It only works if the frame is deep enough for the brackets. Depending on the product, the minimum depth can range from about ½ inch to 3 inches.
Outside mount is the better choice for shallow frames or frames that are not square. Because it covers the whole opening, it lets less light leak in at the edges. Mounting it higher and wider can also make a window look bigger.
Here is how they compare:
An inside mount also pairs well with curtains. The blind handles light and privacy, and the curtains frame the window on the wall.
Sometimes a frame looks deep enough but isn't. A window crank or handle can get in the way of the headrail or slats. In that case, an outside mount lets you keep the blind you picked. If you want an inside mount in a shallow frame, mini blinds need less depth than most other blinds.
How a blind raises and lowers affects both safety and installation. Loose cords pose a strangulation risk to young children. Since December 2018, the ANSI/WCMA safety standard has required stock blinds to be cordless or have short or out-of-reach cords. In 2022, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission adopted a rule that lets it act on stock blinds that don't meet that standard.
Custom blinds have changed too. An updated version of the standard took effect in June 2024. It removed free-hanging operating cords from custom blinds as well.
Today's most common lift options:
Your lift choice changes the install. Cordless and wand blinds go up with the basic steps above. Motorized blinds add a power step: a battery pack, a rechargeable pack, or a plug-in power supply. A plug-in setup needs an outlet near the window, so decide on motorized before the measure.
Safety tip: Shopping for a home with young kids or pets? Look for the WCMA "Best for Kids" label. It marks window coverings certified as safer options for homes with children and pets.
Knowing the steps is one thing. Deciding whether to do them yourself is another. The right answer depends on your windows, the blinds you chose, and how comfortable you are with a drill.
DIY makes sense if:
Call a pro if:
Inside mounts leave little room for error, since the blind has to fit the frame. A small measuring mistake can leave a blind too tight to fit or too narrow to cover the glass. Brackets that are off level make the blind hang crooked. In drywall, skipping wall anchors can let screws pull loose over time.
With our professional blinds installation, we measure, install, and back the work with our workmanship warranty. Most jobs take just a few hours, depending on the number of windows. You get blinds that fit the first time, without a second set of holes in your trim.
Spokane windows deal with two very different seasons. Summers are warm and dry, and west-facing windows take strong afternoon sun and glare. Winters are cold, and windows are a common spot for heat to escape. The right blind type, mount, and fit help with both.
At Pro Floors and Blinds, we offer a free in-home measure in your Spokane home. You can also meet us at our showroom by appointment to see samples in person. We carry blinds and window treatments from Graber and Norman, so you can compare styles side by side.
Measuring comes first in our process, before anything is ordered. That way, your blinds are made to fit your windows. We also supply wood and laminate flooring, so you can plan new floors and window coverings in the same consultation.
Ready to get started? Call us at (509) 866-6776 or contact us through our online form to get started!
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Spokane - 6018 E Broadway Ave Suite #1
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