Everything You Need To Know About Faux Wood Blinds
Of all the types of window treatment materials, faux wood is probably the most misunderstood. Of course, when people don’t fully know what t...
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Of all the types of window treatment materials, faux wood is probably the most misunderstood. Of course, when people don’t fully know what they’re getting into, scammers can take advantage of them. This happens all too often with faux wood blinds , so it’s important to educate yourself.
What are faux-wood blinds?
Faux-wood blinds are composed of slats just like many other blinds. They look like wood at first glance, but unlike true wood blinds, their composition is a bit different. Faux-wood is just a fancy French way of saying “fake wood.” They are essentially imitation wood blinds.
What are faux wood blinds made of?
Basically, faux-wood blinds are made in one of two ways. Their slats are either made from a composite wood core (small pieces of wood fused together) coated with a hi-tech polymer layer, or they are entirely made of a PVC/vinyl composite material. In either case, their exterior is made to look like wood.
The advantages of faux wood blinds
Faux wood slats might not be made of solid pieces of wood, but they do offer certain advantages over natural wood blinds.
Moisture-resistant
First and foremost, faux wood blinds are resistant to moisture. Whether they are made entirely of polymers or simply feature a polymer coating, faux wood slats will not warp when exposed to moisture as wood slats do. Due to their specialized coatings, faux wood blinds are also typically resistant to mold and mildew buildup and will prevent the spread of odor-causing bacteria. They are also typically made to be flame-retardant and free of VOCs (volatile organic compounds). All this means they are ideal for use in splash zones like kitchens and bathrooms.
Easy cleaning
Faux wood blinds are also easy to clean. They can be wiped down with sponges and will generally resist staining as well. Wood slats have to be handled with care and require spot cleaning or a light dusting.
Resist fading and discoloration
As blinds are constantly exposed to sunlight, their slats can tend to fade or discolor over time. Quality faux wood slats resist this type of degradation and will maintain their look longer than wood blinds.
Affordable
Faux wood blinds are more affordable options when compared to wood blinds. Even if they are made from real wood pieces, they are still a cheaper choice than blinds made from solid hardwood. Faux wood blinds are a great way to get that natural wood look without the price tag associated with it.
Faux wood blinds concerns
Generally speaking, faux wood blinds are a great choice for your home since they are affordable, versatile, easy to maintain and come in a variety of looks. However, there are a few things to remember when dealing with faux wood blinds.
First of all, if you are environmentally conscious, faux wood blinds might be a concern. They are made of polymers and PVC, which are not eco-friendly materials due to their production process and the fact that they are non-biodegradable.
Wood blinds are made from hardwood trees that are sustainably grown and harvested, and since they are a natural product they are bio-degradable.
Avoid scams
In some cases, faux wood blinds can be made so cheaply that they can be prone to chipping, cracking or giving off harmful compounds. Instead of real wood pieces forming the core of the slats, sketchy manufacturers can sometimes use cardboard. These manufacturers should be avoided at all costs.
Quality brand names include Graber, Crown, and Norman. Go with these, and you’ll likely have no complaints. If you’ve been a victim of fraud with your faux wood blinds, you can always file a report with the Canadian Anti-fraud Center.
Contributed By: Martin
What are faux-wood blinds?
Faux-wood blinds are composed of slats just like many other blinds. They look like wood at first glance, but unlike true wood blinds, their composition is a bit different. Faux-wood is just a fancy French way of saying “fake wood.” They are essentially imitation wood blinds.
What are faux wood blinds made of?
Basically, faux-wood blinds are made in one of two ways. Their slats are either made from a composite wood core (small pieces of wood fused together) coated with a hi-tech polymer layer, or they are entirely made of a PVC/vinyl composite material. In either case, their exterior is made to look like wood.
The advantages of faux wood blinds
Faux wood slats might not be made of solid pieces of wood, but they do offer certain advantages over natural wood blinds.
Moisture-resistant
First and foremost, faux wood blinds are resistant to moisture. Whether they are made entirely of polymers or simply feature a polymer coating, faux wood slats will not warp when exposed to moisture as wood slats do. Due to their specialized coatings, faux wood blinds are also typically resistant to mold and mildew buildup and will prevent the spread of odor-causing bacteria. They are also typically made to be flame-retardant and free of VOCs (volatile organic compounds). All this means they are ideal for use in splash zones like kitchens and bathrooms.
Easy cleaning
Faux wood blinds are also easy to clean. They can be wiped down with sponges and will generally resist staining as well. Wood slats have to be handled with care and require spot cleaning or a light dusting.
Resist fading and discoloration
As blinds are constantly exposed to sunlight, their slats can tend to fade or discolor over time. Quality faux wood slats resist this type of degradation and will maintain their look longer than wood blinds.
Affordable
Faux wood blinds are more affordable options when compared to wood blinds. Even if they are made from real wood pieces, they are still a cheaper choice than blinds made from solid hardwood. Faux wood blinds are a great way to get that natural wood look without the price tag associated with it.
Faux wood blinds concerns
Generally speaking, faux wood blinds are a great choice for your home since they are affordable, versatile, easy to maintain and come in a variety of looks. However, there are a few things to remember when dealing with faux wood blinds.
First of all, if you are environmentally conscious, faux wood blinds might be a concern. They are made of polymers and PVC, which are not eco-friendly materials due to their production process and the fact that they are non-biodegradable.
Wood blinds are made from hardwood trees that are sustainably grown and harvested, and since they are a natural product they are bio-degradable.
Avoid scams
In some cases, faux wood blinds can be made so cheaply that they can be prone to chipping, cracking or giving off harmful compounds. Instead of real wood pieces forming the core of the slats, sketchy manufacturers can sometimes use cardboard. These manufacturers should be avoided at all costs.
Quality brand names include Graber, Crown, and Norman. Go with these, and you’ll likely have no complaints. If you’ve been a victim of fraud with your faux wood blinds, you can always file a report with the Canadian Anti-fraud Center.
Contributed By: Martin
