Types of blinds and shades

Where each one shines, where it doesn't, and how deep your window frame needs to be.

Short answer: blinds have slats you can tilt to adjust light while they're closed; shades are fabric, so you get the view only when they're raised.^{[1 · Oct 29, 2026]} Faux wood is the go-to for humid rooms, cellular shades insulate best, roller shades are the simplest, and vertical blinds suit wide windows and sliding doors.^{[2 · Oct 29, 2026][1 · Oct 29, 2026][3 · Oct 29, 2026][4 · Oct 29, 2026]}

Which type where

• Faux wood blinds

  Resist heat and humidity, so they suit bathrooms and kitchens.^{[2 · Oct 29, 2026][1 · Oct 29, 2026]} More durable and less likely to warp than real wood, and cost less.^{[5 · Oct 29, 2026]} Heavier than real wood, which makes a cordless blind a little harder to lift.^{[2 · Oct 29, 2026]}

• Real wood blinds

  Lighter than faux wood, so easier to lift.^{[2 · Oct 29, 2026]} Not for steamy rooms.^{[1 · Oct 29, 2026]} Thicker slats mean a bigger stack at the top when raised.^{[5 · Oct 29, 2026]}

• Metal and vinyl mini blinds

  Economical, durable and lightweight.^{[4 · Oct 29, 2026]} Easy to clean; good for busy rooms.^{[1 · Oct 29, 2026]} Vinyl handles heat and moisture in kitchens, baths and garages.^{[5 · Oct 29, 2026]}

• Cellular (honeycomb) shades

  The cells trap air, cutting heat loss at night, drafts and summer heat gain.^{[3 · Oct 29, 2026]} In national-lab simulations they saved more energy than any other type of shading.^{[3 · Oct 29, 2026]}

• Roller and solar shades

  Simple and versatile, with many fabrics.^{[4 · Oct 29, 2026]} Solar shades cut heat and glare while keeping the view, with openness from about 1% to 18%.^{[4 · Oct 29, 2026]}

• Roman shades

  A soft, tailored fabric look.^{[4 · Oct 29, 2026]}

• Vertical blinds

  Made for large windows and sliding doors.^{[4 · Oct 29, 2026][1 · Oct 29, 2026][5 · Oct 29, 2026]} Windows wider than they are tall, especially ones that slide sideways, suit verticals.^{[1 · Oct 29, 2026]}

Inside-mount depth by type

Depths from Levolor's measuring guide and vertical blind guide.^{[6 · Oct 29, 2026][7 · Oct 29, 2026]} Other makers differ: Bali's 2 in wood and faux wood blinds need ¾ in to mount and 2⅝ in (cord tilt) or 3⅜ in (wand tilt) to sit flush.^{[8 · Oct 29, 2026]} Below the minimum, go outside mount.^{[9 · Oct 29, 2026]}

Slat size

Wood and faux wood blinds commonly come with 2 in or 2½ in slats. Bigger slats give a more open view when tilted; smaller slats suit narrow windows and French doors with less depth.^{[2 · Oct 29, 2026]} Larger slats tend to look better on bigger windows.^{[1 · Oct 29, 2026]}

Energy

Vinyl and metal blinds make up about 60% of US window coverings but don't insulate much; the US Department of Energy says energy-efficient window attachments can save about 15% of a home's yearly heating and cooling energy compared with vinyl blinds.^{[3 · Oct 29, 2026]}

Sources: 1. Hunter Douglas, Buyer's guide to window blinds. 2. Levolor, Real wood vs. faux wood blinds. 3. US Department of Energy, Cellular shades fact sheet (PDF). 4. Levolor, The quick-start guide to choosing blinds and shades. 5. The Home Depot, Blinds category and buying notes. 6. Levolor, How to measure windows for blinds and shades. 7. Levolor, Vertical blinds technical guide (PDF). 8. Bali, Wood, composite and faux wood blinds measuring guide (PDF, hosted by a retailer). 9. Blinds.com, How to measure. Checked Oct 29, 2026. Trademarks belong to their owners; figures are restated in our own words and tables, not reproduced.