Things You Need To know About Natural&Faux Wood Blinds
The battle between real and faux extends even to your window blinds. Luckily, this is not one of those life or death situations, and the superiority of either real or faux wood blinds is left to personal preferences.
That being said, each of these options has unique advantages and disadvantages to which you need to give strong consideration before buying. Here’s the score on both real and synthetic wood blinds to help you choose.
1. Materials
Wood blinds are the real deal. They are made from hardwood timber from trees such as cherry, walnut, oak, and various other hardwoods. Other types are also available, including woven wood blinds and shaped wooden Venetian or vertical blinds.
Regardless of the type, real wood blinds have slats made from natural wood comfortable, warm, earthy tones as found in nature.
On the other end, faux wood blinds are made of composite materials, vinyl, or PVC stained or painted with realistic-looking wood grain and tones. There are also blinds with a wooden core and composite cover, but their basic properties are similar.
2.Visual Appeal
First and foremost, you are going to want to consider visual aesthetics when making your choice between these two excellent window blinds options. Natural wood blinds can provide you with a level of elegance and warmth that few other materials can, and while faux wood does a fairly good job of mimicking this look, it tends to fall short when it comes to some of the minor details that help to make natural wood blinds what they are. Most of these differences are going to be quite subtle, but up close, you are going to notice them. If that natural warmth is important to you, wood blinds are likely going to be your best bet, but if you are more interested in the color and texture of real wood, faux wood blinds are a more than adequate option.
Faux wood can also be stained to look good, complete with the surface texture finish that makes them resemble real wood. However, they are still dull and artificial. If you want a nice look, you will have to go for premium quality pieces with a high-end finish.
3. Applications
Real wood blinds are best used in living rooms, offices, and other spaces where a warm, deluxe look is desired. They are light and easy to operate, which makes them perfect for large windows.
A more important advantage of real wooden blinds is that they offer better insulating properties. They absorb heat and cold better, and are thus a great help in regulating room temperatures.
Faux wood blinds are best for wet areas such as kitchens and bathrooms. Being waterproof, they resist water and are very durable even with rough usage.
4.Energy Efficiency
While most homeowners aren’t considering the effect their new window blinds are going to have on their home’s overall energy efficiency, it is an important factor to consider, and here again, you are going to have a noticeable difference between natural wood and faux wood blinds. If you have drafty areas around your home’s windows, real wood blinds can actually serve you almost as an additional layer on insulation, helping you to keep warm air out during the summer, and keep it in during the winter, which can go a long way in helping to make your home more energy efficient. While faux wood blinds will still help in this regard, they aren’t going to provide insulation to the same degree that natural wood blinds will, so if energy efficiency is going to be a major factor in which option you choose, natural wood blinds might be the way to go.
5. Care and Maintenance
Like all wooden items, real wood blinds need a lot more care and attention. In addition to regular dusting with a microfiber cloth, woven blinds can accumulate grime that will need washing off with gentle soap and water.
Wooden blinds also need a “moisturizer” such as olive or lemon oil to prevent warping or cracking. The oil also keeps them supple and lustrous.
Faux wood blinds are generally low maintenance. They need nothing more than regular dusting or the occasional wet wipe to keep them clean.
6. Pricing
Real wood blinds are pricey, and only those with a deep budget can afford them. They are made from expensive hardwoods and consume many hours to shape, treat, and finish.
On their part, faux wood blinds are much more affordable even for those on a shoestring budget. While quality and finish vary between brands, you can always find an option to suit your needs and budget.
Verdict: Which is Better Between Wood Blinds and Faux Blinds?
The jury is still out on which of these popular types of blinds is best for your home. It all comes down to personal preference and the application you need them for. If you want sophisticated blinds to add character to your home or office, authentic wooden blinds are the only way to go.
Otherwise, if you just want a low-budget option that won’t require a lot of maintenance, faux wood blinds are more than suitable. They are very popular nowadays as they can be stained or painted to look very much like the real thing.
Whatever option you choose to go with, make sure that you only get high-quality blinds and match them in tone and texture to your existing decor. The goal is to have an inviting, pleasing room, after all.
