In Wilmington, NC and the surrounding coastal communities, most homes contain at least one sliding door, usually leading to an outdoor patio or the backyard. The default window covering for these doors tends to be vertical blinds; they’re easy to find, inexpensive, and utilitarian. If, however, you’re looking for an alternative that’s a bit more modern, something that provides more options for style and personality, then you may want to consider sliding panels.
Sliding panel blinds are made of fabric rather than plastic. Unlike blinds, which are pulled across the door, sliding panels are wide and flat, sliding along tracks on the ceiling and floor. They offer many benefits for homeowners in Wilmington, NC and beyond—here are just a few:
When it comes to fabric, the choice is yours. Because panel track window coverings are made of fabric, there are limitless options for color, pattern, and weight. A bold, bright shade will provide a pop of color, while a subtle pattern can add visual interest. While fabric offers many options, sliding track panels also come in other materials, such as wood and matchstick grasses.
Slide your way to new levels of privacy. If you want to control the amount of light that enters a room, vertical blinds offer one choice – tilting the blinds. Sliding panels, on the other hand, offer a much wider range of light-filtering options. For bedrooms, nurseries, or television rooms, panels made from blackout material will keep you in the dark, while light-filtering panels are great for kitchens and home offices.
Open wide and say, “ahhh.”When it comes to installing a set of sliding track panels, you have two choices for opening: split draw, or one direction. Split draw means the panels will open from the center and slide out in both directions, which can be very elegant. Panels that slide in one direction are more like vertical blinds in this particular regard, offering a familiarity that many homeowners appreciate.
Completely customizable. Is your window or door extra large? Do you want to divide a room without building a permanent wall? Or do you simply desire a large, grand opening? If you said yes to any of these questions, sliding panel tracks are for you. They’re highly customizable and can fit almost any space, making them not only a chic and unique choice, but often a necessary one, too.
Nothing is perfect—not even sliding panel shades. While we’re obviously fans of sliding panels, there are a few drawbacks. Because they don’t tilt open like vertical blinds, they only have two modes: closed or opened. This is why it’s so important to choose the right light filtering option for privacy needs. And, because panel blinds are wider, then can take up a bit more room, and may not be ideal for small spaces.
We hope this post has convinced you to at least consider the wide world of sliding panel track shades. If you’d like to learn more about this versatile, elegant, and modern option, slide on down to Strickland’s today.