Go Fabulous....Go For Faux Wood Blinds

If you love the warmth and richness of wood blinds in your room, you have no doubt considered using faux wood blinds to dress your windows. There is no question that wood blinds add a glow and charm to a room that nothing else can. There are however, some downsides to wood blinds:

• They are expensive

• They can warp and bend in rooms with high humidity

• They can crack and split from the heat of direct sunlight

• They require the use of specific cleaning products to preserve the wood

• They mark easily, showing every little scratch and crack

But all of this doesn’t have to mean that your dream of having wood blinds is over. There is an alternative. Faux wood blinds are available today that provide all the look, feel and charm of real wood.

Imitation wood blinds are available in almost the same selection of sizes as real wood blinds, ranging from 1” to 2 1/2”. There are even faux “mini” blinds available as well as vertical blinds for those rooms where you would like your patio door to have blinds that match those on the windows.

One minor disadvantage to choosing faux wood blinds is color choice. Since real wood can be stained almost any shade you can think of, there is wide selection of finishes available. The color in faux finish blinds is manufactured right in so options are more limited. However, as popularity of imitation wood blinds increases, manufacturing companies are constantly expanding their color options.

One of the really cool things about decorating with blinds is the simplicity that they offer.  With their gleaming finish and immediate privacy, there is no need for drapes or curtains!  Your windows look completely dressed in one simple application.

If you have a family, you’re going to especially love how durable these window dressing gems really are.  Unlike wood blinds that show every little “accident”, your faux wood blinds can stand up to the wear and tear that comes with being installed in a child’s room or a busy family room.  And taking care of them couldn’t be easier.  Here are just a few neat little cleaning tips:

• Stay ahead of the grime by dusting often

• Use a fabric softener sheet occasionally for dusting to reduce static cling.

• Put an old sock on your hand for quick dustings

• Wipe with a damp cloth or sponge to remove grime
  

Once you’ve decide to shop for faux wood blinds it’s a good idea to know just what to look for.  Here are some of the most important things to know about faux wood blinds before you spend.

The quality of faux wood blinds ranges from mediocre to excellent.  The better the quality, the closer the resemblance to real wood.  Avoid really cheap blinds as they are most likely made of plastic.  You want the blinds you choose to be either 100% vinyl or a vinyl and wood combination.  Blinds that are all vinyl have the color running all the way through so scratches and marks on the surface will hardly show at all.

Shop where your blinds can be custom ordered to your exact window measurements for a tailored fit.  Decide whether your blinds will be hung on the inside or outside of the window frame, then measure carefully before ordering.

Check for warranties on your blinds.  They should cover both the slats and the mechanism for at least a few years.

The dye that gives the blinds their faux wood finish is added at the time of manufacturing. This means that there will be a dye lot printed on the box for your blinds.  If you are buying blinds for more than one window in a room, be sure to match the dye lot number so all of your blinds match.

Faux wood blinds are a great decorating choice when you want a custom wood look and a durable and family friendly product at an affordable price.