Types of Blinds: How to Choose the Right One

Different Types of Window Blinds: Key Insights

• Faux wood blinds hold up better than real wood in bathrooms and kitchens.
• Cordless blinds are the safer option for homes with young children or pets.
• Vertical blinds suit patio doors and wide windows better than horizontal styles.
• Slat width affects how much light a closed blind still lets through.
• Vinyl blinds cost the least but wear out faster than wood or faux wood.

In this guide, you'll read about:

1. An Overview of Different Types of Window Blinds
2. Blinds vs. Shades: What's the Difference?
3. What Kind of Blinds Should You Choose?
4. How Much Do Blinds Cost to Install in Canada?
5. How to Find a Window Covering Pro on HomeStars
6. FAQs: Your Questions About Types of Blinds Answered

An Overview of Different Types of Window Blinds

Across Canada, the types of blinds for windows on the market generally fall into five categories, with the differences coming down to material and slat style rather than brand. Once you know what each type handles well, narrowing down your options for a specific room gets a lot easier.

Blind type	Best suited for
Wood blinds	Living rooms, bedrooms, dry climates
Faux wood blinds	Bathrooms, kitchens, high-moisture rooms
Aluminum blinds	Budget-conscious rooms, contemporary looks
Vinyl blinds	Rentals, basements, tight budgets
Vertical blinds	Patio doors, sliding doors, wide windows

Wood Blinds

Wood blinds are made from real hardwood, usually with slats around two inches wide. They give a room a warm, natural look and provide decent insulation against drafts. Humidity causes real wood to warp over time, so they're best kept out of bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms.

Faux Wood Blinds

Faux wood blinds are made from composite materials designed to look like real wood while resisting moisture and fading. They're heavier than real wood, which means larger windows may need sturdier brackets to support the extra weight. This makes them a common substitute for wood in humid rooms.

Aluminum Blinds

Aluminum blinds are lightweight, inexpensive, and available in a wide range of colours and finishes. They suit contemporary spaces and rooms where budget matters more than a premium finish. The slats dent fairly easily, so they show wear faster than heavier materials.

Vinyl Blinds

Vinyl blinds, sometimes called PVC blinds, are the most affordable option on the market. They hold up well in moisture and are easy to wipe clean, which is why they're common in rental units and basements. The finish tends to look less refined than wood, faux wood, or aluminum.

Vertical Blinds

Vertical blinds use fabric or PVC vanes that hang from a track and stack to one side, rather than lifting up and down. This design suits sliding doors, patio doors, and windows too wide for a standard horizontal blind to cover in one piece.

Blinds vs. Shades: What's the Difference?

Blinds, shades, and shutters all fall under the umbrella of window coverings, but they aren't the same product, and it helps to know which term applies to what you're picturing before you start comparing quotes.

• Blinds: Use individual slats that tilt open or closed to adjust light and privacy.
• Shades: Use one continuous piece of fabric that raises and lowers, with no slats.
• Shutters: Use hinged panels mounted directly to the window frame, and aren't adjustable the way blinds are.

Knowing this distinction upfront helps when describing what you want to a pro, since "blinds" and "shades" get used interchangeably in casual conversation but aren't interchangeable products.

What Kind of Blinds Should You Choose?

The best type of blinds for a window usually comes down to a handful of practical factors rather than style preference alone. Working through each one narrows the list quickly.

Room and Humidity Levels

Bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms are hard on real wood, which swells and warps when exposed to steam and moisture. Faux wood or vinyl blinds handle these conditions without the same risk, which is why they show up so often in these rooms.

Light Control and Privacy

Narrower slats give more precise control over how much light enters a room, while wider slats let in more light when fully open. Tilting the slats partway lets in filtered light while keeping the room private, though closing them fully still leaves small gaps between slats that a fabric shade doesn't have.

Window Size and Shape

Vertical blinds generally handle patio doors and oversized windows better than horizontal styles stretched across the same width. Standard windows fit stock sizing without issue, but oddly shaped or non-standard windows, such as arched or angled ones, usually need custom measuring rather than an off-the-shelf option.

Household Safety

Homes with young children or pets are safer with cordless blinds, since traditional pull cords and looped cords create a strangulation risk. Many manufacturers have shifted toward cordless designs for exactly this reason, and it's worth asking about when comparing options.

Budget and Maintenance

Vinyl and aluminum blinds cost the least upfront and wipe clean easily, but they don't last as long as wood or faux wood. Wood and faux wood blinds cost more initially but tend to hold up longer, which can even out the cost over time.

How Much Do Blinds Cost to Install in Canada?

Blind installation costs vary by material, the number of windows, the size of each window, and whether the blinds are custom-fitted or stock-sized. Larger windows and patio doors typically cost more to cover than a standard bedroom window, and a pro can give an accurate figure once they know your exact measurements and material choice.

If you're planning a broader window project alongside new blinds, our window replacement cost guide breaks down what that typically involves. For a full room refresh that includes design input on window coverings, our interior design cost guide covers what hiring a designer usually runs.

Get quotes from window covering pros on HomeStars

How to Find a Window Covering Pro on HomeStars

Measuring, ordering, and installing blinds is easier with help, especially on oversized or oddly shaped windows where a small measurement error means an expensive redo. HomeStars connects you with window contractors near you who install blinds, shades, and shutters, so you can compare profiles and reviews before deciding who to hire.

Find window covering pros on HomeStars

FAQs: Your Questions About Different Types of Blinds Answered

Do blinds block more heat than curtains?

Not usually. Aluminum and vinyl blinds conduct heat rather than trap it, so they offer less insulation than heavier, lined curtains or cellular shades. If energy efficiency is the priority, it's worth asking a HomeStars pro about insulated options rather than assuming blinds will cut heat loss.

How long do blinds typically last before they need replacing?

Vinyl blinds tend to last around five to seven years before the slats warp or discolour. Wood and faux wood blinds often last a decade or more with normal use, since the material holds up better to daily handling.

Can blinds be repaired instead of replaced?

Minor issues like a broken slat, a stuck tilt wand, or a snapped cord can usually be repaired rather than requiring a full replacement. Warped or sun-faded slats are harder to fix and usually mean it's time for new blinds.

Are motorized blinds worth the extra cost?

Motorized blinds make sense for hard-to-reach windows, such as skylights or tall picture windows, where a manual wand or cord isn't practical. For a standard bedroom or living room window within easy reach, the added cost buys convenience more than function.

Do custom blinds cost more than pre-cut, stock blinds?

Yes, custom blinds cost more because they require precise on-site measuring and a made-to-order size. Stock blinds work for standard window dimensions, but anything slightly off-size usually needs a custom order to fit properly. A HomeStars pro can measure your windows and tell you which option applies before you commit to a quote.

Can the same pro install both blinds and curtains?

In many cases, yes. Window covering pros on HomeStars often handle multiple treatment types in one visit, which saves you from booking separate appointments for blinds and curtain hardware.