Faux versus Real Wood Blinds: The Showdown

When it comes to choosing blinds for the many rooms in your home, you have many types to chose from. There are plastic blinds, cloth blinds, honeycomb blinds, and even old fashioned drapes. For many people, this selection is often narrowed to two main choices: faux wood blinds and real wood blinds. Both these blinds have their unique advantages.

Faux wood blinds, in short, are blinds made from a synthetic material that looks like wood in appearance and texture. These blinds are, in general, more affordable than real wood blinds. They are also easier to clean than other types of blinds, particularly cloth or plastic blinds. With faux wood blinds, a simple wet cloth will easily remove dirt and dust.

Faux wood blinds are ideal for rooms that tend to have a lot of moisture, such as bathrooms and kitchens. This is because the synthetic material is good at resisting moisture, where other types of blinds tend to absorb it. This keep your blinds in good shape for a longer period of time. Faux wood blinds is also a good type of blind to have in a house with a lot of activity, such as a house with many pets and children.

Wood blinds, on the other hand, are blinds that are made of actual wood. They are lighter than faux wood blinds and tend to be more durable. They also tend to come in a larger selection of colors and stains. Some people find them easier to pull up and down in large windows.

Wood blinds are more expensive than their faux counterparts but, since they last longer, this additional cost works itself out.

One factor that you may be considering when choosing between wood blinds and faux wood blinds is the environment: which ones, you may be wondering, are better for our world?

Faux wood blinds are more environmentally friendly than real wood blinds. This is because real wood blinds require trees, trees that must be cut down for their lumber. Faux blinds are also recyclable, thus reducing your contribution to overflowing landfills.

If going green is a concern to you, consider not only purchasing faux wood blinds, but also purchasing recycled blinds. These blinds are about as eco-friendly as blinds can get.

Both faux wood blinds and wood blinds will cover your windows in a tasteful manner. But, if price and environment is of your utmost concern, faux wood blinds are a stronger choice. They will have less impact on our world, and your wallet.

The Species Options for Wood Blinds

Wood window blinds have a long standing reputation for emanating a warm, homey feel. Like the aura of a log cabin, wood blinds resonate comfort throughout the home. This is one of the reasons they have become so popular among all kinds of home owners.

Aesthetics aside, wood blinds are also a very practical purchase. Not only are they durable (they last longer than most other types of blinds), they are resistant to warping, and they are easily cleaned. The variety of stains, paints, and washes also add to their versatility. They make them easily matched to surrounding decor (plus wood tends to go with virtually anything).

One of the other main reasons for the versatility of wood window blinds is the variety of wood species they are made of.

Many wood blinds are made of bass, a type of North American hardwoods. Bass is a type of wood often called American Whitewood by those in the lumber industry. It is similar to other types of whitewoods and possesses some characteristics of the tulipwood family. Bass is a common wood used in the crafting industry. It is known for its beauty, richness, and ease of use. It is also known for being fast growing, making it one of the "greener" trees to use for wood window blinds.

Bass is a common choice for blinds because of its ability to last. It can sustain things like temperature, sunlight, and moisture better than other types of wood.
Though bass is the most common species used for wood blinds, it isn't the only type. Other types of wood used to make wood window blinds include oak, cherry, java, and ash woods. Some of these woods, such as cherry and ash, will provide a redder hue to the blinds.

Depending on the type of species of wood used, the wood blinds can be stained with a variety of colors. This allows you to get darker or lighter wood window blinds.
Wood blinds are known for being more expensive than some other types of blinds, namely faux wood blinds. But, the texture they bring to a house, as well as their ability to last a long time, make the price a good investment to make for your home.