• Cellular Shades & Honeycomb Blinds
  
  
• Wood Blinds
  
  
• Faux Wood Blinds
  
  
• Mini Blinds
  
  
• Vertical Blinds
  
  
• Vertical Blind Alternatives
  
  
• Roller Shades
  
  
• Solar Shades
  
  
• Woven Wood Shades & Bamboo Shades
  
  
• Roman Shades
  
  
• Sheer Horizontal Shades
  
  
• Horizontal Blind Alternatives
  
  
• Motorized Blinds & Shades
  
  
• Pleated Shades
  
  
• Arches & Shapes
  
  
• Skylight Shades
  
  

Faux Wood Blinds

Faux Wood Blinds are a good alternative to traditional wood blinds in areas of high humidity or rooms with high traffic. These durable faux wood blinds tend to be heavier than wood blinds and are only available in limited colors, but their low cost and durability make them a good alternative for many homes.

Faux wood blinds do not come in the same range of slats widths as traditional wood blinds. Instead, faux wood blinds are available in 2" and 2 ½" slats usually constructed of PVC or a Composite blend of PVC and wood pulp. These slats come in two types: Curved slats provide greater light control for dark rooms and flat slats provide a more uniform traditional look closely mirroring the look of wood blinds.

Most faux wood blinds come with small rout holes through which the cords thread on either end of the slats. These holes can let in small amounts of light that can cause glare on computer and television screens. Greater light control can be accomplished by choosing additional options for your faux wood blinds.

Available Faux Wood Blinds options include:

• Routless – Also known as de-Light, NoHoles, and LightMaster, these faux wood blinds thread the cords through the edges of the slats rather than the middle, decreasing the points of light that escape through closed blinds.
• Cloth Tapes – This option is available on faux wood blinds with slat widths of 2". In these models, elegant cloth accent tapes are added to the blinds to cover the cord holes. These not only prevent light from entering through closed blinds, they can also add a clean, sleek look to window treatments.

Faux wood blinds have the look of real wood but cost less than traditional wood blinds. Unlike wood, these blinds do not warp or crack with changes in moisture and are therefore recommended for areas or rooms with high levels of humidity and moisture - particularly where filter water collects. Keep in mind that faux wood blinds do not come in the large color selections reserved for traditional wood blinds.

Faux wood blinds are also 60% to 100% heavier than real wood blinds despite having the same size slats. This means that faux wood blinds take more energy to raise and lower and require more cords to keep them level. They do, however, provide the same degree of light control as traditional wood.

There are two main types of Faux Wood Blinds:

• PVC Faux Wood Blinds– These blinds are very heavy and difficult to lift, generally weighing twice as much as comparable hardwood blinds. Although faux wood blinds don’t warp, they do require more ladders and strings to support their weight.
• Composite Faux Wood Blinds– These blinds combine PVC and wood pulp to provide lighter shades that resist warping. Although these shades are still 60% heavier than hardwood alternatives, they resist humidity and are extremely durable. Like the PVC faux wood blinds, Composite blinds require more ladders and strings than hardwood which can sometimes obstruct the view

Faux wood blinds with 2 ½" wide slats generally provide clearer views than their 2" wide counterparts when they are open, since fewer slats are required, they weigh less and take up less space when drawn up. Faux wood blinds with 2" width slats tend to be the most popular since they combine the look of thicker slats with the smaller footprint of narrower blinds.

Brands that make Faux Wood Blinds:

• Hunter Douglas
• YourBlinds
• Bali
• Comfortex