If you are stuck asking yourself “are wood or faux wood blinds better?” you are in the right place. Any window coverings such as blinds or shades can add value to your property as well as a layer of insulation and privacy. It can be tough choosing between natural wood and faux wood window treatments. Here is everything you need to know to make the right choice for your home.
How to Make the Right Choice
Making the right decision should be based on several factors. Before choosing your blinds, sit down and think of a few essential questions.
The most important considerations that you will need to cover include:
- What is the room used for, i.e., is it a bedroom, kitchen, or bathroom?
- What climate do you live in?
- Light requirements
- How much maintenance you are willing to do
- Budget
- Overall interior look and feel
Once you have noted down as many pieces of information regarding your needs, you will be able to make the best and most informed decision.
Remember the Versatility
With the advances of the blind industry, faux wood or PVC-based blinds look just as good as real wood. Both natural and faux wood blinds come in a wide variety of styles and attractive finishes.
Choosing the suitable blind comes down to your interior look and feel and the function of the room. Ultimately you want a window treatment that will last a long time and match your home decor. You might find that wooden blind finishes are a little more limited compared to their faux counterparts.
Choose Based on Humidity
Real wood blinds are not suited to areas that experience extreme humidity. If you live in a high humidity region, you might need to opt for faux wood blinds. The reason for this is the amount of moisture in the air. Hardwood blinds might begin to absorb the moisture and swell, and the swelling causes buckling and breakage.
Faux wooden blinds are not susceptible to damage caused by moisture and humidity. You can use them in high humidity areas and rooms that have a lot of moisture. Kitchens and bathrooms are two rooms that traditionally experience humidity and moisture; it is crucial to choose faux wood for these rooms too.
Consider the Benefits
Blinds are not just an aesthetic addition to a room, they also benefit your home and help you cut back on energy costs. Whether made with natural or faux woods, blinds offer an additional layer of privacy for the rooms in your home.
Blocking out light when you need it and the ability to control how much light is let in are two additional advantages to installing blinds.
Decide on the Material
When it comes to the difference between the materials used to make blinds, faux wood is by no means a ‘knock off’ or inferior solution. This material is highly durable and comes in a variety of colors and rich texture choices. These blinds are not to be confused with their cheap and easy-to-break aluminum counterparts.
Just like real wood, faux wood is attractive and can be matched to your interior. Many people cannot tell the difference between real and faux wood blinds unless they inspect them closely. Custom colors are easy to achieve later on if you need to replace a slat or add other blinds to your home.
The Main Differences: Faux Wood Vs. Real Wood Blinds
There are several differences between wood and faux wood blinds. Both types of blind are excellent choices depending on what you need them for.
Material
The most significant difference is the materials used to make each kind.
- Faux wood blinds are made with a durable polymer composite material; the top is coated with a layer to look like natural wood. You can opt for other color choices or plain color pallets.
- Real wood blinds are made with real basswood and, and some offer natural wood grains for a warm, timeless appeal. You can choose from a wide selection of stains and paint colors. There are many options to match any decor. Real wood blinds are lighter weight than their faux counterparts. Because faux wood blinds are heavier, they require more support for the slats so they don’t sag. Faux wood blinds will have more “ladders” which are the cord that the slats sit on. That’s the main difference in the look of wood versus faux wood blinds. There are more ladders on faux wood blinds and real wood blinds don’t need as many to support the slats.
Cost
Cost is a significant factor to consider. Real wood blinds can be more costly to install and, and this factor is a consideration for homes with more than one room that needs to be fitted with blinds.
Some faux wood alternatives can be pricey depending on the finish and quality of the product. It is essential to request a quotation and speak to a professional window covering company for a complete quote. Ask your company to give you a comparison quote between the two materials.
Maintenance
Both faux wood and real wood blinds can be cleaned by dusting with a feather duster and wiping down with a soft damp cloth. Neither should get very wet, but a damp cloth is a good way to make sure they stay clean.
Comparing Costs Between Real Wood Vs. Faux Wood
The cost comparison between faux and real wood blinds is highly dependent on your needs. There are two parts to consider when factoring your costs in the initial cost to manufacture and install and any maintenance or servicing costs.
Real wood blinds are a little more costly than faux, and they are made out of hardwoods such as basswood or pine. Depending on the finish and size of your windows, they can cost a few hundred extras. Replacing a wooden slat that has been broken may cost a little more and it can be a little more challenging to get the same color.
Faux wood blinds are more sustainable and cost less than wooden options. As the finishes are artificial wood grain, they are easy to color match to pre-existing blinds. Servicing and maintaining these blinds are a little more cost-effective in the long run.
How Long Do Faux Wood Blinds Last?
As with all window treatments, faux wood blinds can last long if you look after them. It is crucial to make sure your blinds are clean and that any cracked slats are taken care of as soon as possible to avoid further damage.
Correctly cared for blinds can last between 10-12 years before showing any signs of aging and use. Custom-fit blinds will last a lot longer than ready-made snap-in options; as these blinds are made to fit the windows they cover, they are less likely to break and warp.
Do Blinds Increase Home Value?
Good quality faux wood blinds or wood blinds increase the value of your home. As blinds are an additional layer of insulation and offer a sleek interior feel, they offer value to anyone purchasing your home.
Window treatments like blinds can last a long time and offer you privacy within your home and additional light control options. These are all attractive benefits to prospective buyers.
Are Wood or Faux Wood Blinds Better?
Real wood and faux wood blinds are both excellent choices, and you can expect many years of use from both. If you have to choose between the two, consider the room and look you want to produce.
Faux wood blinds are a beautiful cost-effective option that adds design, warmth, and privacy to your home. Wood blinds offer the same design, warmth, and privacy with a few more customized options available.
If you are ever in doubt about which to choose, speak to a qualified window covering expert. At VanGoghWindow Fashions, we have been in the industry for over 20 years, and we offer free in-home consultations for anyone looking to install blinds in their home.
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