Vertical blinds
Vertical blinds hang upright louvres that turn and draw to one side to clear a sliding door. See the louvres, track and fitting.
What it is
Louvres turn to let light in or keep it out, and draw to one side to clear the door.
Looks and hangs like
Louvres are sold 89 or 127 mm wide.
Each louvre hangs from a hook in a carrier in the headrail, and has a weight in a pocket at its foot.
The headrail is a slim white aluminium track.
The weights are linked by a white bottom chain, or sewn in with no chain.
Suits
On a sliding door the louvres draw to one side, or split from the centre on a wide opening.
They stack beside the opening, clear of the door.
Makers name a vertical blind for a busy door.
Light and privacy
The louvres turn through about 180 degrees. Edge-on they leave slots to see through, and flat they close.
Fabric and layers
Fabric louvres are the usual home choice, and blockout fabric is a standard option.
PVC is the moisture-proof alternative.
Light fabric louvres can shift in a draught from an air conditioner. The weights and bottom chain keep them steady.
What to check at fitting
The track runs 150 to 200 mm past the frame on the stacking side.
Outside the frame, the track overlaps 100 to 150 mm each side and about 100 mm above.
The louvres stop 10 to 15 mm above the floor.
Cords and child safety
South African makers list a cord that draws and a chain that turns the louvres.
A cleat or tensioner fixes the loop to the wall. One maker lists a clear acrylic cleat as standard.
EN 13120 covers vertical blinds.
Window cords and chains can strangle a child.
Keep cords and chains at least 1.6 m above the floor.
Keep beds, cots and furniture away from the window, so a child cannot climb up to a cord.
A cordless blind has no cord to reach. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends cordless window coverings in every home where children live or visit.
A chain tidy or tension device holds a looped chain to the wall.
The Irish body advises asking whether the blind meets the European standard EN 13120, and whether its safety device meets EN 16433 and EN 16434.
This is guidance from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission and Ireland's consumer protection body.
Ask your installer for a cordless blind, or how the cord or chain will be fixed.
Measuring
Measure the door and the stacking side, step by step.
Sources
Written by Sill from makers' fitting guides and published safety guidance, and last read on 18 October 2026. Sources are listed below.
- Custom Blinds: Vertical blinds
- Blinds Online: Vertical blinds in South Africa
- Blinds Direct: Vertical 127 mm blinds
- Luminos Blinds: Panel vertical blinds
- Aluvert Cape: How to measure
- English Blinds: How to install vertical blinds (PDF)
- SIS catalogue: SS-EN 13120:2009+A1:2014, internal blinds
- Ireland's Competition and Consumer Protection Commission: Window blinds
- US Consumer Product Safety Commission: Window coverings safety alert (PDF)
- Sill's notes from fitters' and makers' guides