Your guide to making an informed choice

It’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the choices you have when it comes to blinds, and faux wood PVC blinds versus real wood blinds gives you a lot to think about. They each have strong pros and cons, so it’s important to make an informed decision before purchasing and installing blinds that could last you a decade or more. This definitive guide takes the guesswork out of real and faux wooden blinds, helping you make the right choice for your home and wallet.

Step 1: What Room Are They For?

Your first step in determining whether to go with real wood blinds or faux wooden blinds is deciding which rooms you’re going to outfit. It’s an important factor because there isn't a one-size-fits-all with blinds—unlike what most major companies would have you believe.

• Kitchen: Depending on the location of the window in your kitchen, faux wood blinds are the preferred option. Rooms with a lot of moisture can warp real wood blinds, therefore faux wood blinds are the best option for a kitchen. 

• Living Room/Dining Room: These are areas that can benefit a lot from the warmth of real wood blinds. Real wood blinds can make these spaces cosy, inviting and add an elegant touch.

• Bathroom/Laundry Room: For rooms that experience a lot of moisture and humidity, you should stick to faux wooden blinds. Otherwise, you’ll need to keep replacing your real wood ones over the years, which can become quite costly. 

• Bedroom: The bedroom is another space that works well for wooden blinds; they offer a luxurious touch that is more than welcome in a room where we spend the majority of our downtime. However, if your bedroom windows face East or West, you might be better off with faux wooden blinds as these windows—and blinds—will endure a lot of direct sunlight every sunrise and sunset.
  
  

 

Step 2: What’s Your Budget?

When it comes to installing new window treatments, the process isn’t something you do regularly. If you want your blinds to last for years to come, it makes sense to invest in quality products that you won’t have to keep replacing. That said, it’s important to set your budget before you start spending and stick to it.

In terms of cost, real wood blinds are more expensive when compared to faux wood blinds, especially if you are outfitting several windows at once. First, you should figure out how many windows need blinds. Among those, how many need to be faux wooden blinds to avoid moisture and heat damage? Once you determine the remaining number of blinds you need, it gives you some room to play with your budget and maybe save the real wood blinds for guest-friendly rooms like the living room and guest bedroom.

Step 3: What is Your Decorating Scheme?

It’s important to figure out how your new blinds will fit into the décor you’ve established for each room. Gone are the days when blinds were only boring beige or white! Blinds now have the power to transform rooms from bland to beautiful, thanks to brilliant hues and eye-catching textures.

• Faux wooden blinds offer more interesting textures and colours than real wooden blinds. If you’re looking to bring some pizzazz into a room, then these might be the right material for you. They’re modern, contemporary and incredibly stylish with unique paint options. 

• Real wood blinds bring a touch of old-school sophistication to rooms, with beautifully deep stains and finishes. They’re ideal for bringing together classically styled areas and adding richness and warmth to your windows. However, you’re limited regarding colour options, as there’s only so many ways you can stain wood. Real wood blinds make sense if you want to complement other wooden furniture in the room, like dining tables and bookshelves.
  
  

Which Will Last You Longer?

When picking your blinds, you should also consider their longevity. Are you renting an apartment, buying your first starter house, or settling into your family’s new home? These are important factors to think of when choosing and installing blinds.

• If you’re decorating an apartment or house that you don’t plan to stay in for long, you might want to consider faux wooden blinds. They’re much more affordable, so you won’t be wasting your investment if you have to pack up and move. 

• If you’re decorating your family’s home, then you’ll likely want blinds that you can use for years. In this case, both real and faux wooden blinds could suit you. Faux wooden blinds are more durable and will outlast intense heat and moisture. On the flip side, real wood blinds are an investment that can last you years if you care for them properly. If you’re willing to protect and clean them, it might make more sense to use these for your home and decor. Most companies offer a warranty guarantee for both these products.

Which Are Easier to Clean?

You might not realise it, but your window treatments could be hosting a variety of bacteria and germs. It’s important to clean your blinds and shutters regularly to rid them of dust, dirt and microorganisms that might be harmful to your family. Ask yourself this question when choosing window blinds: Which type is easiest to clean?

1. Real wood blinds collect dirt and dust faster than faux wooden ones, meaning more frequent cleaning is required.

2. You can use your vacuum cleaner on both types of blinds, but you’ll have to be careful to use the soft brush attachment on real wooden blinds, or you risk scratching and denting the slats (faux wooden blinds are typically scratch-resistant).

3. You can use warm water, soap, and a rag to wipe down both blinds, but you’ll have to be sure to thoroughly dry the real wood blinds after to avoid moisture damage.

Which Windows Do They Work Best On?

By now you’ll know that it’s important to determine what direction your windows face before choosing a window treatment. However, you should also consider the size of your windows. Real wooden blinds are surprisingly light, so they’re ideal for larger windows which require long, lightweight slats. Lighter blinds also mean fewer cords and ladder strings, which might appeal to you more, especially if you have children and pets running around.

When it comes down to it, real and faux wooden blinds are both excellent choices for your windows. Always go with a high-quality product with a reputable company so that your windows are always at their best.