This question is one of the most common dilemmas that consumers face when buying custom window coverings. 2” horizontal blinds are extremely popular in the United States. Deciding which type of blind to buy depends on your budget, the environment of the room and how you intend to use your blinds.
Wood Blinds
Real wood blinds are mostly chosen for the warmth and beauty they can add to a room. Most wood blinds available in the United States are made out of basswood which is cut using the wood from the Linden tree. Basswood is often called North American Hardwood because the species of wood used is native to North America. Basswood is a very stable wood that resists warping and ages beautifully. White colors and black are painted wood slats. All other wood colors are generated by using wood stains on the surface.
Wood blinds are approximately 50% lighter than Fauxwood blinds. This lighter weight allows the factory to use fewer ladders or cloth tapes to support the slats. Also, wood slats are rigid and hold their shape better. This means the ends of the slats have less of a tendency to sag slightly.
The 2” Express Wood Blinds on Blindster.com are blinds that are partially manufactured overseas and shipped to the United States. Our U.S. factory then adjusts the width and the length of the blind when your order is placed. However, 2” Express Wood Blinds only come in limited colors with standard controls (lift on the left and tilt on the right) and no options or features.
The 2” Premium Wood Blinds, 2-1/2” Premium Wood Blinds and 1” Premium Wood Blinds are custom-made blinds manufactured in the factory here in the United States. These blinds come in a wide variety of colors and offer many options: Custom control positions can be ordered (i.e., reverse controls with the lift on the right and the tilt on the left or same side controls with both controls on either the left or right side) along with other options like: 2on1 or 3on1 blinds (2 or 3 blinds hanging from the same metal headrail at the top), routeless construction (eliminates route holes in the 2” or 2-1/2” slats to minimize light and increase privacy) and 1-1/2” cotton tapes (for 2” blinds only in place of the string ladders).
The disadvantage of wood blinds is that they will not withstand exposure to water or heavy humidity. You can clean wood blinds by dusting them regularly. You can occasional wipe the slats with a damp cloth but take care to wring the cloth as dry as possible before using.
Fauxwood Blinds
Fauxwood blinds are made from PVC that is extruded into slats. It is extremely important to buy fauxwood blinds from a reputable company that will certify that the slats were made with UV protection and stabilizing agents that prevent warpage. The highest rated fauxwood slats available in the United States today are certified to resist changing color when exposed to intense UV rays (much stronger than normal UV rays generated by the Sun) for 5 hours. All the fauxwood blinds on Blindster’s site are rated as 5-hour fauxwood. Blindster’s fauxwood slats are also manufactured with stabilizing chemicals that resist warping.
The main advantage of fauxwood blinds is the economical price. The 2” Express Fauxwood Blinds, 2” Deluxe Fauxwood Blinds and 2-1/2” Deluxe Fauxwood Blinds (our most economical horizontal blinds) on Blindster.com are blinds that are partially manufactured overseas and shipped to the United States. Our U.S. factory then adjusts the width and the length of the blind when your order is placed. However, Express and Deluxe Fauxwood Blinds only come in limited colors with standard controls (lift on the left and tilt on the right) and no options or features.
The 2” Premium Fauxwood Blinds, 2-1/2” Premium Fauxwood Blinds and 1” Premium Fauxwood Blinds are custom-made blinds manufactured in the factory here in the United States. These blinds come in a wide variety of colors and offer many options: Custom control positions can be ordered (i.e., reverse controls with the lift on the right and the tilt on the left or same side controls with both controls on either the left or right side) along with other options like: 2on1 or 3on1 blinds (2 or 3 blinds hanging from the same metal headrail at the top), routeless construction (eliminates route holes in the 2” or 2-1/2” slats to minimize light and increase privacy) and 1-1/2” cotton tapes (for 2” blinds only in place of the string ladders).
The second advantage of Fauxwood blinds is that moisture will not cause the blinds to warp. That means that you can use these slats in your kitchen, bathrooms or other areas that have high humidity levels. This moisture resistance also makes them easier to clean without worrying about applying too much water to the surface of the slat.
The disadvantages of fauxwood blinds are that they are heavier and the slats are much more flexible than wood blinds. Fauxwood blinds weigh approximately 80% more than wood blinds. That extra weight along with the less rigid slats means that there are more ladders needed when manufacturing the blind to support the slats so they don’t droop or sag. For example, a typical 36” wide x 60” wide Fauxwood blind would have 4 ladders or tapes while a wood blind would only have 3.
The extra weight also means that fauxwood blinds are harder to lift, especially if the blind is large (over 54” wide). However, 2” horizontal blinds are mainly made to operate by tilting the slats open or closed. The only time they are usually lifted is when you are cleaning the windows. If you plan to lift your blinds on a regular basis, a wood blind is the better choice.
Of course, the final decision is yours. Horizontal blinds are one of the most versatile window coverings available. Choose white colors so that the blinds will blend with your surroundings or choose stain colors to make your windows more of a focal point in the room.
