Real Wood vs. Faux Wood Blinds — This Is All You Need to Make a Choice
BWS Marketing • February 8, 2021

The battle between real and faux extends even to your window blinds. Luckily, this is not one of those life or death situations, and the superiority of either real or faux wood blinds is left to personal preferences.

That being said, each of these options has unique advantages and disadvantages to which you need to give strong consideration before buying. Here’s the score on both real and synthetic wood blinds to help you choose.

1. Materials

Wood blinds are the real deal. They are made from hardwood timber from trees such as cherry, walnut, oak, and various other hardwoods. Other types are also available, including woven wood blinds and shaped wooden Venetian or vertical blinds.

Regardless of the type, real wood blinds have slats made from natural wood comfortable, warm, earthy tones as found in nature.

On the other end, faux wood blinds are made of composite materials, vinyl, or PVC stained or painted with realistic-looking wood grain and tones. There are also blinds with a wooden core and composite cover, but their basic properties are similar.

2. Aesthetics

Real wooden blinds have a rich, grainy texture and look that simply cannot be replicated even by the most realistic faux wood blinds. They are hand-finished and polished to give off the same high-end look you would expect from an expensive piece of wooden furniture. That is why real wood is so prestigious and desirable.

Faux wood can also be stained to look good, complete with the surface texture finish that makes them resemble real wood. However, they are still dull and artificial. If you want a nice look, you will have to go for premium quality pieces with a high-end finish.

3. Applications

Real wood blinds are best used in living rooms, offices, and other spaces where a warm, deluxe look is desired. They are light and easy to operate, which makes them perfect for large windows.

A more important advantage of real wooden blinds is that they offer better insulating properties. They absorb heat and cold better, and are thus a great help in regulating room temperatures.

Faux wood blinds are best for wet areas such as kitchens and bathrooms. Being waterproof, they resist water and are very durable even with rough usage.

4. Care and Maintenance  

Like all wooden items, real wood blinds need a lot more care and attention. In addition to regular dusting with a microfiber cloth, woven blinds can accumulate grime that will need washing off with gentle soap and water.

Wooden blinds also need a “moisturizer” such as olive or lemon oil to prevent warping or cracking. The oil also keeps them supple and lustrous.

Faux wood blinds are generally low maintenance. They need nothing more than regular dusting or the occasional wet wipe to keep them clean.

5. Pricing

Real wood blinds are pricey, and only those with a deep budget can afford them. They are made from expensive hardwoods and consume many hours to shape, treat, and finish.

On their part, faux wood blinds are much more affordable even for those on a shoestring budget. While quality and finish vary between brands, you can always find an option to suit your needs and budget.

Verdict: Which is Better Between Wood Blinds and Faux Blinds?

The jury is still out on which of these popular types of blinds is best for your home. It all comes down to personal preference and the application you need them for. If you want sophisticated blinds to add character to your home or office, authentic wooden blinds are the only way to go.

Otherwise, if you just want a low-budget option that won’t require a lot of maintenance, faux wood blinds are more than suitable. They are very popular nowadays as they can be stained or painted to look very much like the real thing.

Whatever option you choose to go with, make sure that you only get high-quality blinds and match them in tone and texture to your existing decor. The goal is to have an inviting, pleasing room, after all.

If you are still undecided on which blinds to us, then it is best you speak to an expert. Contact us for a consultation.

Expert Advice by Just Blinds

What Your Window Treatment Says About You: A Personality-Based Guide

April 23, 2025
Your selection of window treatment products and services is not merely about getting a job done. Rather, if you look hard enough, you can find direct correlations between the type of person that you are and the window treatment that you select. We have created this personality-based guide to help you best discover what kind of window treatment truly matches your spirit. The Dependable Type: Wooden Blinds You are the person that all of your friends can count on. You are the type of person who truly sticks to your plans when you make them, and you are the type of person who will choose wooden blinds for your home. Privacy is important to you when selecting your blinds, and that is why you find yourself pulled into the idea of putting up wooden blinds. Besides that, they happen to be highly functional, and that's not something that you are willing to pass up either. The Planner: Blackout Curtains Those who value truly getting the most value out of their blinds or anything else that they install in their homes will think very carefully about their options. For those people, going with blackout curtains makes a lot of sense. They want to gain as much value as possible out of their options, and they know that they can significantly improve their quality of sleep and so much more when they opt for blackout curtains. These also happen to be a great option for those who work night shifts or other odd hours and yet still want to enjoy their sleep. They need blackout curtains to help increase the quality of that sleep and allow themselves to get their day started right. The Tech Enthusiast: Smart Shades They roam among us: The type of people who are quick to adopt any new technology and get to work figuring out how it can improve their lives. These people are great because they are not afraid to take a risk and because they help to move our society forward. They simply want to get more out of each day, and they often do so by adopting and using the latest technologies. These individuals will gravitate towards smart shades for the following attributes: Innovation - Who wants to stick with the boring old ways of shading one's house? Smarter options are now available, and you better believe that the tech enthusiasts among us are willing to latch on to them. Efficiency - These shades are a more efficient option for those who care about that kind of thing. They can be easily activated and set up to open or close automatically (how cool is that?!). Progressive - The "cool" factor is a big deal for people who fall into this category as well. They might not admit to it right off the bat, but they care deeply about what others think about them. As such, they want window shades that have that cool factor attached to them. The Dreamer: Sheer Curtains Finally, we land upon the dreamer. This is the person who views every day for the possibilities that it can bring. They are not scared off by those with a negative attitude. If anything, they believe that they can change those people! Instead, the dreamer wants sheer curtains because they bring in soft light, open spaces, and bring about a feeling of possibility all throughout the house. Sheer curtains are the ideal option for someone who classifies themselves in this way. They will receive plenty of compliments on their curtains, and they will appreciate how open they are to the world.  Which kind of person are you and which window treatment option makes the most sense for your personality? For more inspiration and ideas, reach out and contact us today.

5 Unexpected Places Homeowners Are Installing Outdoor Shades

March 13, 2025
We all know and understand the concept of installing outdoor shades on a patio. It is the classic way to create a cool and comfortable space for yourself and your friends to spend some quality time together outdoors. There is nothing wrong with that, but it is limiting to think that the patio is the only part of one's property where outdoor shades are appropriate. There are some surprising and unexpected places where homeowners have taken to installing outdoor shades recently. We want to take a look at some of these to provide you with ideas for your next home improvement project. 1) Balconies Some homes are built quite close together, and some homeowners naturally feel like they would like to do more to protect their privacy. Although their neighbors might not intentionally be looking through their balconies, it is easy for the human eye to drift. Thus, some city-dwelling homeowners have made the choice to install outdoor shades in this area. On top of keeping prying eyes off of your property, outdoor shades also block the sun rays from your balcony as well creating a more comfortable space to spend some time. 2) Outdoor Kitchens One of the most delightful social experiences that someone can have is to invite over a large group of friends for a meal cooked outside. It gives everyone the opportunity to share stories, laughes, and a bit of food all at the same time. Of course, this is best done in an outdoor kitchen. Your outdoor kitchen is a space where you should feel comfortable and have the ability to entertain a large group of people all at the same time. This means looking at installing outdoor shades to provide an extra layer of protection from the heat of the sun. Thus, this has become another area where homeowners are quickly installing outdoor shades. 3) Poolside Lounges Now we are really talking! Who doesn't love to kick back with their favorite cold beverage and spend some time relaxing next to the pool? That is what you can enjoy more completely when you set up a poolside lounge with outdoor shades. Poolside lounges are meant to be a place where you can spend several hours at a time. However, it can get pretty hot while doing so if you don't put some outdoor shades in place. Get those shades up so you can let all of your worries melt away as you take in the smell of pool water and sunscreen. 4) Garden Areas Do you enjoy a little gardening in your downtime? You might like it even more after setting up outdoor shades that protect you from the excessive heat of the sun. Gardening is labor-intensive work and can take several hours of diligent labor to do it properly. However, you don't want to overextend yourself and end up getting physically overworked. Keeping some of the sun away is an excellent way to ensure that you don't overdo it. Just make sure that you check up on the sunlight needs of the various plants that you intend to put into your garden before installing outdoor shades. 5) Exterior Windows Did you know that it is possible to reduce your energy bills by installing outdoor shades? It's true! If you place outdoor shades on the exterior windows of your home, you can reduce the strain placed on your air conditioning by naturally reducing the overall temperature within your living space. This means less money out of your pocket and more money for working on your next project.  There are many interesting places where homeowners are installing outdoor shades these days. For more creative ideas on what you can do with yours, reach out and contact us now.