7 Materials for Window Blinds
It’s easy to base the type of window blinds you choose on the functions you need. When it comes down to matching interior design styles though, it’s all about the material.
These 7 materials for window blinds will give you a whole swathe of ways to personalise your home’s look and feel:
Aluminum
A light and sturdy makeup makes aluminum one of the most popular materials for window blinds. It’s easy to maintain, but take care not to bend the slats when cleaning. The slats are made to be flexible, but they can get damaged if bent too far. Aluminum is rust-resistant so it’d go well in moisture-rich rooms like bathrooms and kitchens. On top of being affordable, you can also save on air conditioner costs by getting aluminum blinds with a highly reflective surface on one side. Although aluminum is usually used in the style of Venetian blinds, it can be finished in a wide range of colours. The cool sleekness of aluminum makes it perfect for homes with a contemporary look or minimalist design.
Fabric
Fabric blinds are usually made in one piece without open spaces between slats. This makes them most effective at insulation and blocking out sunlight. Fabric is generally an inexpensive option, though it depends on the fabric you choose of course. Common fabrics include cotton, polyester, silk, and wool. What’s great about going with fabric is that you can combine different ones – like silk and cotton – together to create a dual-layer effect. Fabric blinds are a hassle to maintain though because of all the dust that gets trapped between the folds. You definitely need professionals to clean them without damaging the pulley system. Also, don’t put up fabric blinds in bathrooms and kitchens or any room with lots of moisture. They’ll take on all the moisture as well as kitchen cooking odours, which adds to the maintenance difficulty. In all other rooms though, fabric blinds offer you limitless decorating options. Not only can you choose any colour you want, but you can also customise the patterns and prints. Fabric blinds are best suited for houses with an artistic flair or even in minimalist décor to highlight a certain colour.
Leather
Now here’s an uncommon material choice. Leather is usually used exclusively in the Venetian blinds style. It’s a labour-intensive process to bind each slat in leather so prepare yourself for a high price. If it’s within your budget though, it’ll definitely give your interior a unique look. With solid-core slats tightly clad in stitched premium leather, this material choice is a mark of expensive tastes reminiscent of race car interiors and luxury yachts.
Wood
This is another material choice on the expensive side. For many people, the price tag is worth it though for the natural strength and durability that wood brings. You don’t have to worry about over-bending the slats so maintenance is easy. High-humidity areas are off-limits for wood blinds though since wood can warp over time from moisture. When you’ve stained wood blinds to complement other wood elements in the room, it gives an air of sophistication and elegance. Dark woods are perfect for classic luxury homes while light-coloured woods are best for those looking for a rustic feel.
Bamboo
If you want an environmentally friendly option, bamboo is a great choice. Bamboo grows back very quickly so it’s considered a sustainable and renewable material. With bamboo blinds, the slats are woven together to create lightweight yet durable blinds. They’re especially well-suited for warm climates. The slats are close enough together to block out sunlight, but still has hairline gaps that allow summer breezes to pass through. If you prefer more privacy, you can fit them with blackout privacy liners.
Vinyl
Vinyl is a synthetic polymer material so you can install them in any room regardless of the environmental conditions. This versatility combined with durability means that vinyl blinds often last longer than a lot of other materials. Vinyl is affordable and easy to maintain, which further boosts its popularity. With a broad selection of colours and patterns, vinyl fits well in a modern house designs.
Faux wood
If you’re partial to the wood-like look in the bathroom and kitchen, try faux wood. Since it’s a synthetic composite of wood and plastic particles, moisture won’t affect it. It’s the happy medium between the style of wood and the versatility of vinyl. You just have to overlook the fact that you won’t be able to see grain patterns like that of natural wood.
Remember, too, that there’s no rule saying that you can’t mix-and-match window blinds materials. Every room in your house can have different window blinds installed. The skill of an interior designer really shines through when opposite styles somehow fit via shared common elements.
