Wood Blinds

Purchasing blinds for the first time can present you with many questions and uncertainties. You’re going to be looking at them (or through them) for a long time, so it’s important you get it right. 

When you find the perfect blinds, you’ll be amazed just how much they elevate the aesthetic and enjoyment of your house. Functional, contemporary and offering complete control over the natural light that comes in as well as the privacy of your personal space, there’s a reason why so many people decide that adding blinds to their windows is the best choice over alternatives.

What are the differences between Wood blinds and Faux Wood Blinds?

On the surface, you may think that faux wood and natural wood don’t differ too much but there are actually a few factors to consider that will ultimately affect your final decision.

Pros of natural wood blinds

Classic and timeless

The textures, patinas and colours of natural wood have influenced interior design for centuries. Rich, warm, comforting and sturdy - wooden furniture will never not have a place in the home. Whilst faux wood makes a strong effort to mimic these qualities, nothing can compete with the real deal.

Naturally insulating

Not just picked for being visually pleasing, wood is also used in homes and homebuilding due to its highly insulative properties - take log cabins for example. Having natural wood blinds hanging from your windows will block out the harmful UV rays and stop the heat from the sun creating a sauna-like environment in your home. They also prevent your internal heat from escaping.

An excellent choice for living rooms and bedrooms

Stylish, available in a range of colours/finishes and able to be fitted to size, having natural wood blinds in the rooms you relax and rest in really does bring comfort like nothing else. There’s something about the scent and primal proclivity to real wood that draws us in and instantly creates feelings of comfort and homeliness.

Cons of natural wood blinds

To be avoided in areas of high humidity

Sadly, wood will not fare well in rooms where the humidity levels are high or constant - areas such as bathrooms, kitchens or laundry rooms. This is because natural wood, when exposed to humidity, degrades to the point of warping, and fading and can accumulate mould.

Slightly more difficult to clean

Being that water will damage your natural wood blinds, you can’t give them a deep clean in the same way you would with the faux wood alternatives. Instead, we would recommend regularly dusting them with a dry cloth or one that has a small amount of furniture polish or even lemon oil on it. Adopting a “little and often” approach to cleaning your blinds should remove the need for a deep clean.

Pros of Fauxwood Blinds

More durable and forgiving than natural wood

Faux wood blinds are usually constructed from poly-vinyl chloride or PVC; this is effective not only in imitating the look and feel of real wood but also in offering much more durability and an ability to withstand spills and accidents without permanently damaging the blinds.

Easy to clean and look after

Anyone who owns blinds can affirm that cleaning them doesn't sit at the top of their list of favourite household chores. With faux wood blinds, however, the process is made far easier in the fact you can take them down and give them a good rinse without worrying about any damage. 

A more cost-effective option

Not a reflection of poor quality, but faux wood blinds will almost certainly cost you less than wooden ones as PVC is a lot cheaper to manufacture and produce than natural wood. If you are looking to get maximum coverage and keep costs down then faux wood may be a better option for you.

Cons of Fauxwood blinds

Wood, but not

Although modern faux blinds can reproduce the aesthetic of wood to a very high degree, there’s no escaping the fact that they are an imitation of something else. If your heart is set on the luxury and sophistication of real wood then faux wood blinds won’t deliver in quite the same way.

Can become supple and malleable

Unlike real wood blinds, faux wood blinds are not susceptible to warping or fading in the same way as wooden blinds, but the extreme heat constantly bearing down on the plastic-like UPVC can cause it to become soft and supple, distorting the shape and effectiveness of their design and application.

Must be replaced when damaged

Unfortunately, you can’t easily repair a broken faux wooden blind whereas you can patch up a real wood one. In instances of damage, you’ll have to replace the whole thing which is inconvenient and costly.

Which are heavier, wood or faux wood blinds?

Generally, and perhaps surprisingly, faux wood blinds weigh more than their natural counterpart. However, this is unlikely to be noticeable unless you have a particularly large blind.

How much do wood blinds cost?

The price of your wood blinds will be based on a variety of factors. These include the size, how many you need (consider that bay windows will increase the overall price significantly) and then the final details surrounding style and choice of wood. 
To give you a broad idea, our sunwood blinds start at £58.00 and our faux wood options start off between £25 & £40.

How to clean faux wood and wooden blinds?

Each will require a different cleaning approach; with wooden blinds you can get away with dusting them with a dry cloth or microfibre mitt if you find this easier. Avoid using water unless very heavily soiled. In these instances, a small amount of lukewarm water with a very mild detergent can be used but you must dry them immediately to prevent damage.

Faux blinds are less delicate when it comes to cleaning and can be rinsed with water when needed. Day to day maintenance is the same - wipe over with a dry cloth.

How do I install/fit wooden blinds?

Assemble the tools: 

• • Drill
  • Pencil
  • Screwdriver
  • Measuring tape

1. Once you’ve got the correct measurements for each of the windows where you plan to fit the blinds the first step will be installing the brackets. Most brackets will offer you a few options: face fix, side fix and top fix. You’re going to want to use the option that best suits your window but leaves the hinged flap facing inward. 
2. Next up is the pelmet. Line this piece up with the front of your headrail and use the groove to get your pelmet clips into place.
3. Now attach the pelmet clips to the headrail. You’ll want at least two for each blind and it’s going to save you a lot of hassle if you do this before the blind is installed.
4. Remove the plastic end caps (if your headrail has these) and slide the blind into the bracket. It’s easy to get things around the wrong way at this stage so make sure you have the cords and pelmet-clipped edge facing into the room. Once the headrail is secure in the brackets, push the hinges down until they snap closed and lock your blind into position.

How much money can I save by fitting wood blinds myself?

On average, companies that fit blinds as well as supply them will charge anywhere between £50 - £120 per blind when it comes to installation costs.

Usually, this cost is often incorporated into the total price of the project and will not be itemised in this way. It will also depend on how many blinds are being fitted, any trickier circumstances like fitting blinds on bay windows and also the rate this service is generally priced at in your area.

Taking all factors into account and giving you a more succinct answer, undertaking this task yourself is likely to offer you savings in the hundreds.

Will wood Venetian blinds fit my windows?

One great advantage of wood Venetian blinds is that they can be adapted to fit the majority of window styles and types. Bay windows can accommodate blinds but will require one smaller blind for each section of the bay window which will increase your costs (and cleaning!).

Our blinds are made and cut to measure, there are only a very few circumstances where they will not fit a window and more likely the point of hindrance will be obvious to you before you even begin. If in doubt, get in touch.