April 15, 2009 · Interior Design

What is a door or window blind? As the name suggests, it is referring to the covering of windows or doors. The blind is attached on the inside of a door or window to conceal anything which may be on the other side of the window.

Let us discuss some types of window or door blinds:

Wood Blinds

Usually wood is the first choice when someone decides to decorate their home. Having wood blinds in your home will give the feeling of nature and luxury. For this reason, most people prefer to have wood blinds for their homes.

There are many designs available in the market from which you can choose according to your tastes and preferences. Wood blinds are a bit more expensive than other types of blinds available in the market, but in saying this, wood blinds also have the most beautiful effects.

The maintenance of wood blinds is not too difficult. They can be cleaned very easily compared to other types of blinds. All you need is a dry cloth and a wood cleaner to clean them.

Wood blinds are custom made, and can be placed on any size of window. Always go for a good quality wood blind, which will look good and will also be durable.

Faux Wood Blinds

The best advantage of faux wood blinds is that they can be used in areas where there is moisture around. For this reason, faux wood blinds are very popular. These blinds are available in two types; one comes in vinyl, and the other in a combination of wood and vinyl.

Faux wood blinds block out the light, heat and cold. Cloth tapes are responsible for giving them different designs and colors. These are available in a very big range, so you can choose a design which best suits your home to make it more beautiful.

Mini Blinds

Mini blinds can be used for blocking the sunlight and for giving complete privacy. This is what mini blinds are most commonly used for. But they can also be used simply for decorating interiors. These are available in a wide range of designs and styles.

Mini blinds are available in aluminum, faux wood materials and wood. You can also choose whether you want them to be horizontal or vertical.

Aluminum blinds are the cheapest blinds available in the market, and are a very popular choice for shopkeepers, as well as for use in offices. They are maintenance free, and are also very durable. They come in various colors and are reasonably priced; therefore they would be suitable if you have a tight budget.

Wood mini blinds help in keeping the atmosphere warm. These blinds come in different styles and designs, so you can choose the style which is best suited for you. They also give a natural look to your home.

Blinds are an excellent way to decorate the interior of your home or office, and in doing so, you can explore the hidden charm of the area in which you are decorating.

April 8, 2009 · Interior Design

Wood blinds are a classic window treatments choice. They are durable, easy to use and attractive. They also go well with a wide variety of interior decors. But some people may not know that there are faux wood blinds that offer the same looks, functionality with increased durability at a reduced cost. Faux wood blinds have other distinct advantages.

First, a little background information, faux wood blinds come in two forms: composite wood and vinyl, a type of PVC plastic. The composite wood variety is made from a blend of real hardwoods and plastic polymers to form highly durable slats and other components that make up the blind. PVC blinds are made exclusively from a vinyl polymer.

In terms of price, the vinyl variety is the cheapest, wood composite is second and wood blinds are the most expensive. Comparing the same brand, same size, with no extra options, the price break-outs were as follows: 40” x 64” vinyl blinds were approximately $78.00, 40” x 64” composite wood blinds were approximately $101.00, and the 40” x 64” wood blinds were approximately $119.00. These prices are meant for comparison sake only to illustrate the differences.

In terms of weight, wood blinds are the lightest weights of the three, wood composites are the second lightest and vinyl blinds are the heaviest. This is an important consideration mostly when you are ordering fairly large blinds.

One of the nice things about faux woods is that they are very durable. They will not fade, crack, warp or split, making them perfect for rooms with heat and humidity, such as bathrooms and kitchens. This durability is often important in kid’s rooms. Composite wood blinds are the most durable. They have a hard coating that is highly scratch resistant. That is not to say the PVC blinds are not durable, just not as scratch resistant as the composites.

To help you further differentiate when you should buy composites over PVC blinds, here are some important details. If you are trying to match up other wood stains from your home’s décor, composite blinds offer the closest wood-like grains and stains. So, if you are trying to match up other wood blinds or other wood elements with faux woods, composites would be the best choice. Vinyl blinds do come in wood-colored stains but, in my opinion, are best suited to non-wood colors, like white, beige, etc and these tend to be the most common applications. One final point on the issue of choices, both vinyl blinds and composite blinds can come with in a textured or smooth finish. The best way to get a sense for these differences is to order swatches.

One last consideration, one of growing importance, is the issue of eco-friendliness. If you are concerned about the environment, cutting down trees, and recycling than composite wood blinds may be the best choice. Comfortex now offers an eco-friendly line of faux wood composites. These are made with real wood along with recycled man-made materials. I, for one, applaud Comfortex for addressing this issue by launching a line of eco-friendly blinds. I hope that this is the beginning of a trend within the industry.