Page contents
- Skip to 'What are Panel blinds?'
- Skip to 'Where did Panel blinds originate?'
- Skip to 'What are Panel blinds also called?'
- Skip to 'How do Panel blinds work?'
- Skip to 'Where are Panel blinds best used?'
- Skip to 'What are the benefits of Panel blinds & are they right for you?'
- Skip to 'What are the different mounting methods for Panel blinds?'
- Skip to 'Are Panel blinds any good?'
- Skip to 'How should Panel blinds be configured?'
- Skip to 'What types of tracks do Panel blinds have?'
- Skip to 'What is the Panel blind track width?'
- Skip to 'What fabrics are available for Panel blinds?'
- Skip to 'How do you measure Panel blinds?'
- Skip to 'How do you install Panel blinds?'
- Skip to 'Do Panel blinds tilt?'
- Skip to 'What are the pros and cons of Panel blinds versus Curtains?'
- Skip to 'What are the pros and cons of Panel blinds versus Vertical blinds?'
What are Panel blinds?
Panel blinds are a modern, streamlined window furnishing designed to cover large openings with ease. Known for their clean lines and versatility, they are a popular choice for sliding doors, wide windows and open-plan living spaces where both function and style matter.
Panel blinds are made up of wide vertical fabric panels that glide smoothly along a multi-track system. Each panel overlaps slightly, allowing you to open or close them by sliding the panels across the window or door opening.
They offer a sleek alternative to traditional vertical blinds or curtains, delivering a more contemporary and architectural look that works beautifully in modern Australian homes.
Where did Panel blinds originate?
Panel blinds are inspired by traditional Japanese Shoji screens, which were used to divide spaces while still allowing light to pass through. This concept has evolved into a practical, modern window furnishing that suits today’s larger windows and minimalist interiors.
What are Panel blinds also called?
Panel blinds are sometimes referred to as:
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Panel glide blinds
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Panel track blinds
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Sliding panel blinds
While the names vary, they all describe the same style of wide, sliding fabric panels.
How do Panel blinds work?
Panel blinds operate on a track system mounted above the window or door opening. Each fabric panel hangs from a carrier within the track and slides smoothly when opened or closed using a wand control.
Panels can stack to one side, split from the centre, or stack in the middle depending on the configuration you choose.
Where are Panel blinds best used?
Panel blinds are best suited to large openings such as sliding doors, bi-fold doors, floor-to-ceiling windows and wide glazing. They also work well in open-plan living areas and can even be used as a room divider in flexible spaces.
What are the benefits of Panel blinds & are they right for you?
Panel blinds | Pros
Panel blinds are ideal for large windows and doors and offer a clean, modern appearance. They are easy to operate, low profile and available in blockout, light filtering and screen fabrics. They provide a simpler, more structured alternative to curtains while still offering excellent light and privacy control.
Panel blinds | Cons
Panel blinds are not suitable for small or narrow windows and require space for the panels to stack when open. They offer a more streamlined look, which means they lack the softness and decorative layering of curtains. They may also be less practical where doors are used frequently throughout the day.
What are the different mounting methods for Panel blinds?
Inside Mount
An inside mount fits the Panel blinds neatly within the window or door recess. This option creates a built-in, streamlined look and works best when the recess depth can comfortably accommodate the track and panels without interfering with handles or door movement.
Outside Mount
An outside mount positions the Panel blinds on the wall or ceiling above the opening. This is ideal when the recess is shallow or when you want maximum coverage and light control beyond the window frame.
Are Panel blinds any good?
An outside mount positions the Panel blinds on the wall or ceiling above the opening. This is ideal when the recess is shallow or when you want maximum coverage and light control beyond the window frame.
How should Panel blinds be configured?
Panel blinds can be configured in different ways depending on how you need them to move and where you want the panels to sit when open. Choosing the right orientation is important for both ease of use and everyday access through your window or door.
There are four common panel orientation configurations available.
Left Stack
With a left stack, all panels slide across and gather neatly on the left-hand side when open.
Right Stack
With a right stack, the panels travel in the opposite direction and stack on the right-hand side.
Centre Opening
A centre opening configuration allows the panels to part in the middle, stacking evenly to both the left and right.
Centre Stack
A centre stack brings the panels together toward the middle, where they sit stacked when closed.
Before making your selection, take a moment to think about how your window or sliding door is used day to day.
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If your door slides open from left to right, a right stack configuration keeps the panels clear of the opening and places the wand control on the left when the blinds are closed.
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If your door opens from right to left, a left stack allows the panels to gather out of the way, with the wand positioned on the right in the closed position.
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For doors that open from the centre, a centre opening setup allows the panels to move evenly to both sides.
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If you’re covering wide windows that open from both ends with a fixed section in the middle, a centre stack can be a practical and balanced solution.
What types of tracks do Panel blinds have?
Blinds on the Net offers a wide range of track configurations to suit different window widths and layouts.
The right track depends on the width of your opening and how many panels are required for smooth coverage and stacking. When purchasing Panel blinds from Blinds on the Net, we provide you with a choice of tracks that consider your overall measurements and the overlap needed for each panel. We also calculate the measurements of each panel to make your selection easier.
Track C Left
3 tracks with 5 panels
Track C Reverse Right
3 tracks with 5 panels
Track D
3 tracks with 5 panels
Track E
3 tracks with 5 panels
Track F Left
3 tracks with 5 panels
Track F Reverse Right
3 tracks with 5 panels
Track G
4 tracks with 4 panels
Track H
4 tracks with 5 panels
Track I
5 tracks with 7 panels
Track J
4 tracks with 7 panels
Track K
4 tracks with 7 panels
Track L Left
5 tracks with 5 panels
Track L Reverse Right
5 tracks with 5 panels
Track M
5 tracks with 6 panels
Track N
5 tracks with 9 panels
Track O
5 tracks with 9 panels
Track P
5 tracks with 9 panels
What is the Panel blind track width?
When considering if Panel blinds are right for you, please consider that if you are installing inside recess, you must make sure that the panels fit inside your recess. For each panel of fabric, you will require one channel. Tracks are available in 2, 3, 4 and 5 Channel tracks with each track having the following widths:
- 2 channel track: 45mm
- 3 Channel Track: 55mm
- 4 Channel Track: 69mm
- 5 Channel Track: 87mm
This means that if you require 4 channel blind, you will receive a 4 channel track.
If your blind are FACE mount, the you will be supplied extension brackets to hold the tracks in place, so track width is not as important in this scenario.
What fabrics are available for Panel blinds?
Panel blinds are available in three fabric transparencies.
Blockout fabrics provide maximum privacy and light control and are ideal for bedrooms, media rooms and areas where glare reduction is important.
Light Filtering fabrics soften incoming daylight while maintaining privacy, making them ideal for living areas and shared spaces.
Screen fabrics reduce glare and heat while preserving outward views during the day, perfect for rooms with outlooks you want to enjoy.
How do you measure Panel blinds?
Accurate measuring is essential for Panel blinds to function properly and look their best. Measurements will vary depending on whether you choose an Inside Mount or Outside Mount, and it’s important to account for stacking space and track placement.
How do you install Panel blinds?
Panel blinds are designed for straightforward DIY installation. Installation involves fixing the track securely and attaching the panels in the correct order to ensure smooth operation.
For detailed istallation instructions and videos, click here.
Do Panel blinds tilt?
No. Panel blinds slide across the opening but do not tilt like Vertical blinds. Light and privacy are controlled by opening or closing the panels rather than adjusting their angle.
What are the pros and cons of Panel blinds versus Curtains?
Both Panel blinds and curtains are popular choices for large windows and doors, but they deliver very different looks and experiences.
Panel blinds suit homes that favour clean lines and structure. Their flat, sliding panels create a streamlined finish that works well in modern or minimalist interiors. They’re practical, easy to operate and ideal for wide openings where a tidy, uncluttered look is preferred. Panel blinds also take up very little space when stacked, making them a good option where bulk needs to be kept to a minimum.
Curtains, particularly sheer curtains, are now a go-to choice for many Australian homes. Soft, flowing and lightweight, sheers add movement and warmth while gently filtering natural light.
The choice often comes down to the feel you want to create. Panel blinds are ideal for a crisp, architectural look and straightforward operation. Curtains are better suited to spaces where softness, texture and a more relaxed atmosphere are the priority.
What are the pros and cons of Panel blinds versus Vertical blinds?
Panel blinds offer a clean, modern look with wide fabric panels that suit contemporary homes and large openings. They’re easy to operate and visually calm, making them ideal for open-plan spaces. However, they offer less precise light control and need space for the panels to stack when open.
Vertical blinds provide greater flexibility, with rotating slats that allow finer control of light and privacy. They’re practical for high-traffic areas and wide doors, but their narrower slats can feel more utilitarian and less design-focused in residential settings.
Panel blinds prioritise style and simplicity, while Vertical blinds focus on function and adjustability.