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Shadings, Sheers & Panels Shutters Blinds Shades Custom Drapery & Fabric Treatments Specialty
Wood Blinds – The natural choice for beauty and warmth.
One of the oldest window treatments, wooden blinds are still one of the best choices for any window in any home. The natural warmth and richness they add to a room complements any decor whether it is traditional or contemporary. What a prefect compliment to plantation shutters! Choose a painted finish to match your window trim or use a stain to match furniture or floors. Want to know more about the history of Venetian wood blinds? Read an article on the popularity of wood blinds.
Wood blinds consist of a horizontal slat that can be tilted 180 degrees; to control light and provide various levels of privacy. The blind can also be raised to provide a full view, however a wood blind has considerably more stack than alternative window treatments. When selecting your wood blinds, you must consider the options below:
Options
- Choice of either a 1”, 2” or 2 5/8” slat. The wider the slat, the more view is available when the blind is in the open position. The wider slat blind creates a look similar to that of a plantation shutter. The wider the slat, the less stack in the raised position.
- Paint verses Stain – Wood blinds come available in a wide palette of stains and painted finishes. One point to remember, the darker the slat – the darker the room. To brighten up a room, use a light painted finish.
- Decorative tapes verses Ladders – Cloth tapes in 1” and 2” widths are available on the 2” and 2 5/8” wood blinds. Tapes give you that tradition Venetian blind look. Their decorative prints and colors can tie your room together. The alternative ladder gives you more of a plantation shutter look.
- Valance – Wood blinds offer a wide variety of valances from the simple to the elaborate.
- Type of wood – There are several wood options available, but the most commonly used wood is basswood. Basswood has become the wood of choice due to its stability (less tendency to warp) and ease of staining. Poplar, aspen and ramin are also available, but have more distinct grains and inherent shortcomings.
- “Routless” option – Many manufacturers offer a “no holes” option on wide slat wood blinds. For an upcharge, the traditional route hole in the center of the slat is eliminated by running the pull cords on the outside of the slat around the ladder.
- Cordless blinds – New on the market, cordless blinds are now available. By just pushing the bottom rail, the blinds easily raises and lowers. This eliminates the busy pull cord and provides another feature of child safety.
Key Benefits
- Excellent light control. The wide slats provides an excellent view in the open position
- Warm, natural appearance
- Excellent insulation
- Perfect compliment or alternative to shutters
- Easy to maintain
Items to Consider
- Wood blinds are heavy to raise and lower every day.
- Wood blinds have considerably more stack at the top of the window in the raised position
- Wood verses Composite or PVC products – Strickland’s offers alternatives to wood slats, however we prefer real wood. Composite and PVC blinds are heavier, less stable and require more ladders (making them busier). See Sandy Grey’s article “The Truth About Wood”.
If you like the warm, handsome look of fine hardwood blinds and want something practical for less money, alternative wood blinds are the choice for you. These horizontal blinds capture the look of real wood but are made entirely of polymer compou nds, which are resistant to warping and cracking. They are ideal for areas with high humidity making them not only beautiful enough for the library but practical enough for the kitchen. They are easy to clean and completely washable.
Aluminum horizontal blinds are available in many colors that compliment a range of decorating styles. They provide complete light control at an affordable price. They are available in three sizes, micro blinds 1/2", conventional mini blinds 1", and bold 2" widths. Sleek, all in one head rail styles compliment their clean lines to create a sophisticated and elegantly finished look. Micro and mini blinds are available with a privacy option that eliminates unwanted light leaks that interuppt sleep, fade furnishings and cause glare. The blinds blend the valance, head rail and slats into a sleek overall look. the 2" blinds are also available with many options for decorative tapes. Aluminum blinds can easily be dusted or vacuumed or washed in a tub of warm soapy water.
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