Options
Slat Size Comparison
| |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1" slat |
|
1 3/8" slat |
|
2" slat |
|
2 5/8" slat |
|
3" slat |
|
|
|
|
|
MOST POPULAR |
|
|
|
|
|
Available from:
Hunter Douglas
Graber
Bali
AJIBlinds
|
|
Available from:
Hunter Douglas
|
|
Available from:
Hunter Douglas
Graber
Bali
AJIBlinds
|
|
Available from
Hunter Douglas
|
|
Available from:
Graber
|
As a rule, the narrower the slat, the more slats necessary. What
this means for you is:
- The 1" slats create a busy look, limiting your view to
the outside. If you are working around a door handle you
may need a 1" slat size. However, you may want to consider
changing the handle on the door and using a 2" or wider slat.
Also consider that when a 1" slat blind is fully raised,
the stack can cover a good portion of your upper window, blocking
the view. The 1 3/8" wide slat is a nice compromise
between the plethera of 1" slats for door applications
requiring a narrower slat.
- Wood Blinds made with 2" wide slats provide a traditional look
and are the most popular of the widths available.
- The 2 1/2", 2 5/8-inch and 3" slats provide a shutter-like look
and offer a less obstructed view to the outside; because the slats
are wider, it takes fewer slats to construct the blind. With
a 2 5/8" or wider slat, when fully raised, the stack will
block the smallest amount of space in your window, maximizing
your view.
[ Top ]
Finishes
 |
|
Painted Finish
Get the color that matches your trim. |
|
 |
|
Stained Finish
Stained wood blinds - ah, back to nature and the richness
of natural grain! |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Genuine Woods
Maple, oak, ash, cherry and more. The "real thing”
can add a depth to your room that stained woods cannot. |
|
 |
|
Sandblasted Finish
Enjoy a rich, detailed finish that is elegant and stated,
bringing out the ruggedness that your wood blinds can be as
a decorative accent or compliment to your decor. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
[ Top ]
Wood Blind Basics
Wood blinds are consistently one of the most popular blinds
because they are easy to install and go with virtually any decor -
classic, contemporary, traditional - feel at home.
- Coordinate with wood flooring and fine wood furniture
- Create a look
like a plantation shutter
- Maximize your view - Blinds made with the 2 5/8-inch and 3" widths produce a
smaller stack of slats at the top of your window when fully raised,
than their 2-inch or 1-inch counterparts. This is because the
wider the slat, the fewer slats necessary, resulting in a shorter
stack of slats when fully raised.
- Control outside light by tilting the wood slats
with a wand or cord while keeping your privacy. A room
can be darkened substantially when the slats are fully closed.
- Simple to operate. Blinds can be pulled up to allow an open
view to the outside. Please note that if you intend to pull your
wood blinds up regularly, carefully consider the size of your
window and the resulting weight of the blind. The larger a blind’s
size the heavier the weight. The heavier the weight, the greater
the effort required to raise and lower the blind. Lifting mechanisms
like the cordless lifting systems
reduce wear on the blind and make raising your window covering
easier.
- To reduce wear and tear on cords, fully open slats before raising
the blind. This reduces friction and requires less effort.
- Easy to maintain and very durable.
[ Top ]
Types of Wood
The quality of the wood used in slats is often overlooked.
Do not be fooled. All wood is not equal. Since wood blind slats
are natural wood products, warpage and cracking are potential issues.
There are two types of wood used primarily in the production of
wood blinds, 1) North American hardwood such as basswood, poplar
or aspen and 2) a lesser quality (but less expensive) Ramin wood.
About 75% of the window coverings industry agrees that basswood
is the "ideal" wood for wood blinds. The most important
thing to remember is that wood blinds purchased from reputable companies
will be far less likely to have problems and are warranted against
warpage and cracking.
Genuine Wood
-
Cherry, maple, oak, ash to name a
few - for those wanting "the real thing", you can have wood
blinds made from the tree you love, giving you an authentic wood
blind, above a stained or painted North American hardwood.
North American hardwood - basswood, poplar,
or aspen
- Lighter in weight than Ramin which is an important
consideration in determining the ease of raising and lowering
your blind if you plan to frequently raise and lower your wood
blind.
- Less tendency to warp and more prone to keep it’s shape
because of the internal structure of the wood.
Ramin Wood
- Approximately 60% heavier than hardwoods making it harder
to lift
- Least expensive of wood blinds available, to fit your budget
- upgrade to wood blinds from minis or faux wood.
[ Top ]
