What Are the Best Blinds for Basement Windows?
Faux wood blinds for damp spots, roller shades for small windows, vertical blinds for walkout doors, and blackout shades for bedrooms and media rooms. The best basement window blinds handle moisture, fit short or odd-sized frames, and give you privacy without turning the room into a cave.
Here is the quick version:
- Small or high windows: roller shades
- Humid areas (laundry, rec room, bathroom): faux wood blinds
- Walkout or sliding doors: vertical blinds
- Basement bedrooms and media rooms: blackout shades
- Daylight plus privacy: zebra blinds or light-filtering shades
Why Basement Windows Are Different
Basement windows are not just smaller versions of the ones upstairs. A few things change the rules.
They sit low, near the ground. People walking past can often see straight in, so privacy matters more than it does on the main floor.
They come in odd sizes. Wide and short, hopper-style, egress windows and shallow frames are all common.
The air is cooler and damper. Materials that warp or hold moisture will not last.
There is less daylight to begin with. A heavy covering can make a basement feel darker than it needs to.
Safety counts. If the window is the egress window for a basement bedroom, your covering has to move out of the way quickly and never block the opening. Cordless options are worth considering if kids are around.
Faux Wood Blinds for Basements
Faux wood handles basement humidity best, see our faux wood blinds. They resist moisture and warping, wipe clean easily, and still give you the look of wood. You can tilt the slats to let light in while keeping prying eyes out.
Two honest trade-offs. Faux wood is heavier than other styles, and when you raise the blind the slats stack up and cover part of the glass. On a small window, that stack can eat into your daylight. And if you see condensation, mould or musty smells, fix the moisture problem first. No blind can do that for you.
Roller Shades for Small Windows
If you are shopping for basement window shades on a short window, roller shades are hard to beat. They roll up into a tidy tube, so they take almost no glass with them. They also look clean on windows that sit high on the wall.
Light-filtering fabrics let daylight through while blocking the view from outside during the day. At night, with the lights on inside, people outside may still see shapes. If that bothers you, choose a blackout fabric or layer a second covering.
Blinds for Walkout and Sliding Basement Doors
Walkout basements need something that handles a wide opening and daily foot traffic. Vertical blinds are a natural fit. The slats rotate to control light and slide to the side so you can walk through without wrestling a blind out of the way.
They can swing when the door opens, so ask about options that keep the slats steady. For measuring, vertical blinds are usually sized from the width at the top of the frame.
Blackout Options for Basement Bedrooms and Media Rooms
A basement can be the darkest room in the house, but it can still be too bright for sleeping in the morning or watching a movie on a sunny afternoon. Blackout roller shades are usually the strongest choice for both.
No blind is 100 percent dark. Light sneaks in around the edges, especially with an inside mount. Mounting outside the frame so the shade overlaps the window helps a lot. Ask about blackout fabrics and the best mount for your frame when you book a measure. And if it is a bedroom window, keep that egress rule in mind.
Letting Light In While Keeping Privacy
You do not have to pick one. A few ways to get both:
- Tilt faux wood slats partly closed so they block the sightline from outside but still let light bounce into the room.
- Choose light-filtering roller shades for soft daytime light and a blurred view from outside.
- Try zebra blinds. The alternating sheer and solid bands let you dial between open and private.
- Go light on colour. Pale slats and fabrics reflect daylight deeper into the room.
How to Measure Basement Windows
Basement frames are often shallow and uneven, so measure carefully. Our guide on how to measure your windows for blinds walks through it in full. The short version:
- Check the depth of the frame. A shallow frame may need an outside mount.
- Measure the width at the top, middle and bottom. For an inside mount, the smallest number is the one that counts.
- Measure the height on the left, middle and right.
- Note obstructions like window cranks, handles and window well ledges.
- Decide inside or outside mount. Outside mounts cover more glass and block more light, and they work better on shallow frames.
- Measure twice. Custom blinds are made to your numbers.
Not confident? Ace Blinds offers a free in-home measure, so you can skip the tape measure altogether.
Basement Window Covering Ideas
Looking for basement window covering ideas beyond the basics? A few that work well:
- Match every window. One style and colour across the basement makes the space feel planned, not patched.
- Layer for flexibility. A light-filtering shade with side drapery lets you go from bright to cosy.
- Hang drapery higher than the frame. It makes short windows feel taller.
- Try honeycomb blinds. They add a layer that can help a cooler basement feel less drafty.
- Consider shutters for a clean, permanent look on windows you rarely open.
FAQ
What are the best blinds for basement windows?
Faux wood blinds suit humid areas, roller shades suit small windows, and vertical blinds suit walkout doors. For bedrooms, go with blackout shades.
Are blinds or shades better for basement windows?
Both work. Blinds give you adjustable slats for light and privacy. Shades give you a cleaner look on small windows.
Do faux wood blinds work in a damp basement?
They handle humidity far better than real wood. If you see mould or condensation, solve that first.
How do I get privacy without blocking the light?
Use light-filtering shades, zebra blinds or tilted faux wood slats. Consider layering if you want more privacy at night.
Can I put blinds on a small or odd-sized basement window?
Yes. Custom blinds can be made to fit short, wide or shallow windows. Measure carefully, or book a free in-home measure.
Are there blinds for basement doors?
Vertical blinds are the usual pick for sliding and walkout doors.
Ready to cover your basement windows? Ace Blinds can help you pick the right style and measure the right way, with a free in-home measure.
The short version:
- Faux wood handles humidity best, roller shades fit small windows and vertical blinds suit walkout doors.
- Basement windows are low, small and often shallow, so privacy and measuring need extra care.
- Layer light-filtering shades, zebra blinds or tilted slats to keep light and privacy together.
- Choose blackout shades for bedrooms and media rooms, and keep egress windows easy to open.
- Book a free in-home measure to get the sizing right the first time.