Faux wood and wood blinds
Classic tilting slats — the treatment most people picture when they say 'blinds'. The choice between faux wood and real wood comes down to humidity, weight and how wide the window is.
How horizontal blinds work
Horizontal slats carried on ladder cords or tapes, tilted together by a wand or cord and raised into a stack at the head of the window. Two independent controls — tilt and lift — are why horizontals still win where a client wants light without giving up the view completely.
Faux wood versus real wood
- Humidity: faux wood for bathrooms, kitchens and laundries; real wood everywhere dry.
- Weight: real wood is much lighter, so a single wide blind stays operable.
- Finish: real wood takes stain and shows grain; faux wood is painted or embossed.
- Cost: faux wood is normally the cheaper of the two at the same slat size.
Details that decide the look
Cloth tape hides the route holes and adds a decorative stripe down the blind. A decorative valance covers the headrail and is where a blind either matches the trim or obviously does not. Cordless and motorized lifts remove the dangling cord entirely, which matters in homes with children.
What to compare in the photos
- Slat size against window size — the single biggest visual difference.
- Stack height at the top when fully raised.
- Route hole light leak versus cloth tape.
- Valance style and how it meets the trim.
- Colour next to white trim; near-white slats rarely match painted casing.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between faux wood and real wood blinds?
- Faux wood is a composite or PVC slat that shrugs off humidity but is heavier, which limits how wide one blind can be. Real wood is lighter and warmer looking and takes stain, but can warp above a shower or a sink.
- What slat size should I use?
- Two inch slats are the workhorse: a clean view out with fewer slats. Narrower slats suit small windows and traditional trim; wider slats read more contemporary and stack shorter.
- Do faux wood blinds warp in sunlight?
- Quality composite slats are far more stable than early vinyl, but a tall window in constant direct sun is still the hardest test. Photos of west-facing installs in the library are the honest reference.
- Are faux wood blinds good for bathrooms?
- Yes — humidity resistance is the main reason they are specified over real wood in bathrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms.