Wood & Faux Wood Blinds

Basswood or faux - it is a moisture question

Real basswood is light, strong for its weight, and takes stain in a way no composite convincingly imitates. Because it is light, a basswood blind spans wider before it needs a middle support, and it feels better in the hand. It is the right choice for living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms and studies.

Faux wood is a PVC or composite slat that will not warp, swell or discolour when the air is wet. It is heavier, so it spans less and stacks deeper, but in a bathroom, a kitchen over the sink, or a laundry it is the only sensible answer. Real wood in those rooms cups and twists, usually within a season.

Slat size and what it does to the view

A two inch slat is the standard and suits most windows. A two and a half inch slat means fewer slats across the opening, so there is less to look through when they are open and a cleaner line when they are closed. On a tall window the larger slat is almost always the better look.

Smaller slats close tighter and block marginally more light, which matters in a bedroom and almost nowhere else.

Cordless, because of the standard and because it looks better

We supply horizontal blinds cordless by default. ANSI/WCMA A100.1-2022 has applied to custom made-to-order window coverings since June 2024, and corded lift on a child-accessible window is not something we will specify.

Cordless also removes the cord lock, the cleat and the loop hanging down one side, which were always the ugliest part of a blind.

Valances and cloth tapes

A valance hides the headrail. A standard valance matches the slats; a crown or decorative valance gives a deeper, more furnished edge. Either is better than seeing the mechanism.

Cloth tapes replace the route holes with fabric ladders down the face of the blind. They hide the cord holes, block a little more light, and give a traditional look that suits an older house. They are a strong effect, so we would show you a sample in the room before committing.

Common questions

Can you tell faux wood from real wood?

In a painted white finish, at a distance, usually not. In a stain, yes, because grain in a composite is printed and repeats. If the blind is stained and at eye level we would steer you to basswood unless the room is damp.

How wide can one blind go?

Faux wood is heavy and the headrail will sag before the slats do, so wide openings usually want two blinds on one headrail. Basswood goes wider on a single unit. We size it at the survey.

Do wood blinds block heat?

Not meaningfully. Slats leave gaps and timber is a poor insulator compared with trapped air. If the window is losing heat, [cellular shades](/cellular-shades) are the product that actually addresses it.

Will the colour fade?

Stained timber in a south or west-facing window will shift over years, as any timber does. Painted finishes hold up better, and faux wood holds up best of all.

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  Plantation Shutters

  The one window treatment that reads as part of the house. Free in-home consultation across the Pittsburgh area.
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  Roller Shades

  One clean fabric, one clean line. Free in-home consultation across the Pittsburgh area.
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  Cellular Shades

  The one shade that does real insulating work. Free in-home consultation across the Pittsburgh area.