If you’re considering blinds for your home and aren’t sure whether to opt for genuine wood or faux wood as your preferred choice, we’ve set out a few tips below to help you decide. First, let’s take a look at both materials:
Wood
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that wooden blinds are, of course, made of wood. If authenticity is important to you and you want something that’s 100% natural, then wooden blinds may be the right choice for you. They come in a wide variety of stains and paints so getting a colour that compliments your existing decor shouldn’t be an issue. Wooden blinds also tend to be slightly lighter in weight than their faux counterparts so they’re often better suited to larger windows.
From a conservation point of view, the hardwood that we use only comes from sustainable forests so is eco-friendly. The wood is kiln-dried to remove any excess moisture and then painted, stained or colour-washed. Since it’s a natural product, you’ll also get different grains, striping and shades on each slat meaning that no two are ever identical. In our opinion, this uniqueness is what truly sets genuine wooden blinds apart from their faux alternative.
However, since wood can warp or crack, they’re generally not recommended for areas of high humidity such as kitchens and bathrooms. You should also avoid real wood for conservatory blinds since the huge variations in temperature can cause the wood to twist and warp.
Faux
On the other hand, since faux wood blinds are essentially a PVC composite, they’re able to cope well in higher humidity areas of your home. They’re available in a wide range of colours, look realistic and their durability means that they’re easy to wipe clean. As such, they’re able to withstand the usual splishes and splashes that are common in the bathroom or kitchen.
Either/Or?
If you’re still deliberating over which option to choose and like the benefits that both have to offer, why not get the best of both worlds and consider mixing and matching? You could choose faux blinds for certain rooms and wood for others, such as a lounge or bedroom.
Free help and advice
If you’re still unsure which option is right for you, why not get in touch and pick our brains? We’ve been installing blinds for over 30 years and can help advise you on which type of material is right for each room. If you book an appointment with us, we’ll bring along samples of both to help you choose the perfect new blinds for your home.