Wooden Blinds FAQs

Made to Measure Wooden Blinds

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, if using natural sustainable materials matters to you, you need to precisely control privacy and filter the light, and you want to achieve a premium, high-quality look in the wood colour/finish and style of your choice.
This will depend on various factors such as the size of your window, the type of and quality of the wood you choose, and whether they’re a premium quality custom-made product. As a guide, here are some broad average prices for high-quality made-to-measure wooden blinds: £12 for the smallest sized window, £78 for an average-sized window (120cm x 120cm), and up to £350 for the very largest sized window.
Yes, wooden blinds are a good natural insulator and when their slats are closed and aligned snugly, they can make a marked difference to the ambient temperature of your room during winter. Potentially even allowing you to turn down the heating a notch. They also insulate against the rays of the sun during the summer, helping to keep your home feeling cooler and more comfortable.
Installing wooden blinds is a straightforward and easy process. No special tools or expertise are needed, even DIY newbies can tackle it quite comfortably in under half an hour, even on the first go, and much faster for further blinds once you’ve got the hang of it.
Both have their pros and cons. PVC faux wooden blinds are a practical and more budget-friendly solution, especially for humid areas such as the bathroom and kitchen. They’re water-resistant, extremely durable and easy to clean. They do however lack the natural charm and warmth of real wood. Wooden blinds, on the other hand, provide a timeless and elegant look with their organic natural charm along with their eco-friendly properties. Whilst more expensive and susceptible to moisture damage. The choice between the two ultimately depends on your budget, the room's location and aesthetic preferences.
Wooden blinds are generally more expensive than faux wooden blinds due to the cost of sustainably sourcing, harvesting and producing the wood. Compared to plantation shutters however, they’re significantly cheaper yet offer a similar aesthetic with greater versatility in both light and privacy control. Whilst more expensive than faux wood blinds, they’re a worthwhile investment due to their versatility, warmth and all-round natural beauty and aesthetic appeal.
Yes, wooden blinds help reduce heat in the room due to wood's natural insulating properties and their ability to precisely control and block sunlight. They create a barrier between the window and the room, keeping heat out in summer. By adjusting the angle of the slats, you can control the amount of sunlight entering the room keeping it cooler. Overall, they are a good option for regulating temperature in your home, particularly high-quality made-to-measure wooden blinds that fit well with minimal gaps.
To clean wooden blinds, regularly dust them with a feather duster, soft cloth, or a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment. For a more thorough, deeper clean, use a slightly damp cloth with no strong detergents and wipe gently in the direction of the slats, starting from the centre and working outward. Open the slats horizontally for easier access. Be careful not to soak the wood, especially at the ends. Next, turn the slats round so the opposite side of the slats are visible and repeat.
For blinds with cord or fabric cotton tape, you can spot-clean them with a damp cloth or use a fabric cleaner for a deeper clean. Special-made blind cleaners can also be used, but always test them in an inconspicuous area first. Be sure to dry the blinds thoroughly after cleaning with dust-free cloths.
For more details on how to clean wooden Venetian blinds, check out our articles on cleaning wooden blinds, five FAQs about how to clean them and are white wooden blinds easy to clean?
Wooden blinds made from premium-grade wood and properly treated will not warp in the sun. Warping occurs when moisture is present in the wood and is then drawn out by exposure to the sun which causes the wood to twist and warp. This is only an issue in some ready-made and cheaper-quality wooden blinds. That’s why it's important to buy wooden blinds made from suitable hardwoods, such as basswood or bamboo that have been kiln-dried to ensure maximum stability.
Wooden blinds are a timeless and classic window treatment that never goes out of style. Collections are regularly updated to reflect the latest colour trends in interior design ensuring they’re always in fashion. Their popularity has also increased among consumers who are looking for sustainable, ethical and eco-friendly ways to bring style and functionality to their windows.
No. If the blind is fully closed with the slats all lying flush against one another, and the blind has been made to fit your window, you cannot see through wooden blinds. Even the holes in the slats where the lift cords run are too small for anyone to see inside, and if you have wooden blinds with tapes these holes are not visible at all.
They may fade over time, but modern high-quality wooden blinds are treated to resist fading so this will usually occur so slowly as to be virtually unnoticeable. In most cases, the blinds will have been replaced or updated due to redecorating before it’s noticeable. The extent of any fading will depend on factors such as the exposure to sun and the colour of the blind. Fading is less likely if the blinds are fully open during peak sunlight, are lighter in colour or have a natural wood finish.
Wooden blinds without tapes offer a more natural, seamless appearance that highlights the texture, grain and natural beauty of wood. Wooden blinds with tapes make the tapes a design element which can either coordinate or contrast with the wood whilst giving them a softer appearance. It’s largely a matter of personal preference though as to which look you prefer.
Wooden blinds block out light very effectively when they’re fully closed. They don’t however block out as much light as a blackout blind. Their slats are opaque, so no light passes through, but there is a small amount of light visible where the slats overlap when closed and around the sides of the blind. Having said that, they will significantly darken a room and create a dark enough environment suitable for most people to sleep.
Made-to-measure wooden blinds are crafted with premium quality materials like basswood and bamboo and are designed to withstand daily use. They can last for many years, at least a decade or more, with proper care and maintenance. Readymade wooden blinds, however, are less durable and may start to fail within a couple of years. Some factors that influence the lifespan of wooden blinds include the frequency of use, the level of care and exposure to moisture.
Wooden blinds are not prone to mould in dry rooms such as living rooms, bedrooms, and dining rooms. However, if your home is damp or if they’re installed in humid environments such as bathrooms and kitchens, they may well develop mildew over time. Always invest in good-quality, ethically produced wooden blinds treated with a mould-resistant coating and use them in appropriate rooms. Proper humidity control and mould prevention in your home will also help keep your blinds in good condition for longer. Cleaning them regularly will help prevent mould. If mould develops, use a wood-safe cleaner, improve ventilation, and avoid exposing them directly to water. For areas with high humidity and moisture, waterproof faux wood blinds are a great alternative.

What are the Benefits of Wooden Blinds?

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