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  • Real Wood Blinds FAQs

Real Wood Blinds FAQs

Made to Measure Real Wood Blinds

Get fast, expert answers to frequently asked questions about real wood blinds from the team at English Blinds, and discover the benefits of custom-made real wood blinds before you buy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of wood should I choose?
Basswood is the most popular and widely used type of wood for real wood blinds in the UK and is the wood we use for the majority of our wood Venetian blinds. It’s a hardwood known for its smooth grain, which allows for a flawless finish whether it’s painted, stained or left with a natural wood finish, making it the ideal choice for high-quality wood blinds.
It’s also lightweight which makes the blinds easier to operate and it’s durable too, so it can easily withstand regular use and maintain its appearance over time. We also use bamboo and Abachi for some of our luxury real wood blinds due to their strength, durability and unique textures, grains and finishes.
What are real wood blinds made of?
They’re almost always made from hardwoods, with basswood being the most common choice. Other popular options include maple, oak, poplar, Abachi, and bamboo. Hardwoods are preferred to softwoods such as pine, due to their durability, sturdiness and resistance to bowing, bending and cracking.
Good-quality real wood blinds are generally hand-crafted and made-to-measure. Their kiln-dried slats are precisely cut, sanded, and finished (painted or stained) before being sealed for protection. They’re then assembled with either ladder cords or ladder tapes, lift and tilt cords, and a reinforced headrail containing the operating mechanisms.
Do treal wood blinds fade?
Real wood blinds can fade over time due to exposure to the sun, but modern, high-quality wooden blinds are treated to resist fading and are unlikely to show any noticeable fading for many years. Fading is less likely to occur in blinds that are fully open and lifted during peak sunlight hours. Discolouration can also occur due to cigarette smoke, cooking fats, or water damage, particularly in humid environments such as kitchens and bathrooms. Darker wood colours are generally more prone to fading than lighter colours or natural grain finishes. Overall, fading and discolouration are not usually major concerns for modern, well-made real wood blinds which are properly maintained and installed in suitable environments.
How can you tell if they are real wood?
You can tell if they are made from real wood by their appearance, price, feel and sound. Real wood blinds, being a natural product, will have colour and grain variations and sometimes knots and imperfections. They also have a warm feel and natural texture, potentially with a subtle wood scent, especially when new. Tapping on them you’ll get that sort of reverberating hollow sound you would expect from wood. Made-to-measure real wood blinds are also generally more expensive than faux wood alternatives.
How long do real wood blinds last?
High-quality, made-to-measure real wood blinds are designed and manufactured to last many years with proper care and can easily last longer than ten years and beyond. Their longevity can be influenced by the quality of the wood, components, and the way they are constructed, the frequency of usage and cleaning, and exposure to moisture. While they may eventually show signs of wear and tear after several years, they’re often replaced due to redecorating rather than functionality issues.
What are the cons of real wood blinds?
Real wood blinds are generally not suitable for moist and humid conditions in rooms such as the bathroom and kitchen unless they’re large and well-ventilated. They’re susceptible to warping, cracking, and staining if they’re not maintained correctly and exposed to moisture in the air for extended periods or direct splashes of water or cooking spills. They also tend to be pricier than faux wood and aluminium Venetian blinds.

What are the Benefits of High-Quality, Eco-Friendly Real Wood Blinds?

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