Are Panel Tracks the New and Improved Vertical Blinds?

For several decades, vertical blinds became one of the most popular products sold in blinds stores across North America. Today, these blinds have declined in popularity, as new horizontal options like roller shades, dual shades, honeycomb shades, and horizontal sheers have stepped into their place in the spotlight. These trends often come and go, and vertical blinds are higher quality and more customizable now than ever, but it does seem that, right now, vertical blinds are on the outside looking in.

While horizontal blinds and rollers are undoubtedly great products that are more than worthy of their current popularity, those who prefer the vertical look and function of vertical blinds might do well to consider a similar product that brings a lot of the same benefits in a newer, fresher package: panel tracks.

Panel tracks are a modern style of window covering that uses multiple fabric panels running along a track to provide coverage to your window. The tracks can be easily pulled by hand either into position, where the panels overlap one another to form a solid barrier against light and vision entering your home, or to the side, where they stack neatly against one another, leaving your window clear for you to look out and enjoy the view.

Panel tracks are a particularly excellent choice for covering elongated windows and sliding doors, as these larger spaces take full advantage of the minimalist aesthetic of the panels and their ability to make your space look larger than it is.

So, are panel tracks the new vertical blinds? It depends on what the question is asking. While vertical blinds are less popular now than they were in the past, they’re still a great product that has only improved in quality over time. Panel tracks cannot be the replacement for vertical blinds, because vertical blinds need no replacement. What panel tracks are, is a great alternative to vertical blinds for those who want a fresher, more minimalistic option that still brings the great benefits of vertical window coverings.