Real Wood Blinds vs. Faux Wood Blinds

It’s no secret that blinds are one of the best ways to cover your windows. Blinds are easy to adjust, extremely durable, and come in a variety of colors. They can also be made cordless and even motorized for added ease and convenience.

Wood is one of the most popular materials for blinds. That’s because wood blinds have a classic look that is at home in nearly any room. Graber offers two ways to achieve that classic look—wood and faux wood.

At first glance, Graber Real Wood Blinds and Graber Faux Wood Blinds look pretty similar—and that’s the whole point of quality faux wood. But there are some differences. We’ll take a look at them so you can decide which option is right for your windows.

We’ll compare these two versatile and time-tested types of blinds in seven ways:

1. Function
2. Look and style
3. Ability to handle high humidity and moisture
4. Cost
5. Color selection
6. Durability
7. Details

By the end of this article, you’ll have a good idea which type of blinds are right for your home.

Function

Graber Real Wood Blinds and Graber Faux Wood Blinds both operate in exactly the same way. While the real wood blinds are slightly lighter than their faux wood cousins, they are raised and lowered with the same lift systems and their slats are adjusted with the same mechanisms. Both real wood and faux wood blinds are available with outstanding cordless lift systems or motorized lift systems (that can be operated from anywhere on the planet with the help of a hub and app).

As with all blinds, the ability to adjust light and privacy is simple and easy. There isn’t much difference between these blinds when it comes to functionality.

Look and Style

At a distance, real wood and faux wood blinds look almost identical. But upon closer inspection, you’ll be able to see the real wood grain and texture—especially when looking at a real wood blind with a natural finish. That said, both types of blinds use the highest quality finishes and have the same meticulous construction.

High Humidity and Moisture

This is where real wood blinds and faux wood blinds differ the most. Faux wood blinds are the champions when it comes to high humidity and moisture. Real wood blinds, being made of a water-absorbing natural substance, should not be installed in high humidity situations. So, if you’re looking for blinds for your bathroom, laundry room, or any room where very high humidity is going to be an issue, faux wood blinds should be your go-to option.

Cost

Faux wood blinds cost only slightly less than real wood blinds. That’s because faux wood blinds are definitely not an inferior product. In fact, as we saw when we looked at tolerance to high humidity, the faux wood blind has some unique attributes.

Color Selection

Both real wood and faux wood blinds come in a wide array of colors. Wood blinds do have more colors—more than 100 colors and slat options. But you’re not going to feel limited when it comes to color. The real wood blinds, with their natural wood grain, are exceptional works of window-treatment art. But the imitation grains you’ll find in the faux wood collection are quite convincing. Take a look at some of the available colors and finishes.

Durability

Real wood and faux wood blinds are among the sturdiest of all window treatments. Their internal mechanisms are made to support the weight of real wood or faux wood slats. They are easily cleaned and require almost no maintenance.

Details

Aside from the major difference in tolerance to high humidity (faux wood blinds prevail in this area), this is where the real difference lies. Look closely at a real wood slat, notice the grain, run your hand across it, tap it with your finger—the feeling is unmistakable. Nothing is quite like real wood. Real wood looks and feels great.

The Bottom Line: Do You Choose Real Wood Blinds or Faux Wood Blinds?

Real wood and faux wood blinds share a sturdiness that no other window treatment can boast. These blinds really do have more in common than not.

So, if you’re looking for a solid set of blinds that will last for years to come, choose real wood blinds. If you’re looking to cover windows in high humidity areas, such as bathrooms, laundry rooms, and some kitchens, choose faux wood blinds. And if you still can’t decide, don’t worry. A Graber Design Expert will make sure you choose the perfect window treatment for any room in your home.