The Best Custom Shutters, Blinds & Shades!
Proudly Serving Raleigh, Durham and Central North Carolina
Vertical blinds in a den

When Is It Time To Replace Those Outdated Vertical Blinds In Raleigh?

August 13, 2019

In the seventies, homeowners in Raleigh were searching for a window covering that would adequately cover large, picture windows and sliding glass doors. So, vertical -- or Venetian -- blinds became a useful window treatment that used long vinyl stats that loosely hung down from a track.

However, now that we have landed in 2019, these vinyl treatments are starting to seem like yellowing relics that should remain in the past. Now, there are beautiful and more energy-efficient window treatments that let you update your windows and replace those vertical blinds.

The Problems With Vertical Blinds

Vertical blinds looked ok when they had little competition, but now we view them for their inefficiency rather than their advantages.

Panel track blinds in modern living room Plantation shutters on sliding door
  • The slats bang together. With a small breeze from the AC -- or even when someone wanders by -- they bang together.

  • They break easily. It’s not unusual to accidentally pull off a slat or misalign a vane so they don’t rotate or open correctly.

  • They show wear and tear. Vertical blinds are usually made from vinyl that yellows, fades, and can become stained with dust, dirt, and grime.

  • They don’t cover your windows. Because these window coverings sway and snap so easily, you can usually see plenty of outside light, even when they are shut.

What Are Some Better Coverings Than Vertical Blinds?

To improve your old-fashioned vertical blinds, you have plenty of wonderful options:

Plantation shutters in kitchen 
  • Plantation Shutters: Unlike vertical blinds, plantation shutters are timeless. With their durable louvers, plantation shutters will stop sun glare and heat loss. They completely seal off the window so they won’t swing in the breeze or tear down easily. If you pick a faux wood plantation shutter, like our Polywood® shutters, then you will also get an extra benefit of energy efficiency.

Window shades in room overlooking ocean
  • Cellular shades: Cell shades can supplant your vertical blinds on large picture windows, as they are made from a fabric material that updates your window treatments. Available in a variety of colors, these window treatments can stop light by sliding top-down or bottom-up. Cell shades also are available in sheer material so sunlight light can brighten the room without the glare. Find more options for window shades in Raleigh.

Panel tracks in sunroom
  • Panel Tracks: Panel tracks can resemble vertical blinds, as they drape down from a overhead track. These wood or fabric panels aren’t shown to have similar issues as vertical blinds though, as the panels are thicker and more substantial.

Let Sunburst Shutters Help You Get Rid Of Your Inefficient Vertical Blinds

If you’re thinking of replacing your out-of-date vertical blinds, then just call your Raleigh Sunburst rep. We’ll bring you different coverings to see what window treatment works for your home. Just call 919-887-9198 for your in-home consultation.