Part one - Part two:

Fashionable Faux Wood Blinds Versus Affordable Mini Blinds?

Today, Julie writes in:

I’m just starting to research new window-treatments, how do I decide between fashionable faux wood blinds and more affordable mini blinds? I have kids and pets and don’t want to buy new window-treatments every 3 months. Please help.

If you’re worried about kids and pets go for a heavy gauge aluminum. I suggest 8 gauge. Go to your local blinds dealer or home improvement store and look at their 8 gauge display. You can literally bring a heavy hand down on the slats and they will bounce right back. They are not indestructible mind you, so if you try to intentionally bend them, you will. But curious pets and kids won’t bend them permanently. Cat’s can crawl thru them and little one’s can peak out of them without doing any damage. They are much sturdier than the off the rack store bought blinds, which can bend at the smallest movement. Consider going cordless if you have any little ones in the house. This will be a safer alternative to corded blinds, and will also keep strings away from curious cat’s.

Aluminum mini blinds are great for bigger window-areas as they come in much wider sizes than most window-treatments. And when the blind is open all the way, it has a small stack and won’t obstruct your view. You do have to wait at least 2 weeks, because in most places they are special order. Mini’s come in a variety of colors. That can match just about any decor or style. I suggest a color that will hide dust, because no matter how hard I try to clean them, i usually just end up pushing the dust around.

If easy cleaning is number one on your list, then I’d go with faux wood blinds. They are very fashionable and quite popular right now. The bigger slats let in more light and have cleaner lines than mini blinds. They are perfect for window-spaces with great views, when the blind is closed and the slats tilted open, there is more visibility than a mini. When the blind is all way open however, they have a huge stack at the top and may obstruct your view. They are far too heavy for wider window-areas and should be used to tilt open and closed instead of lifting up and down. This will cause less strain on your blind strings and enable your blinds last longer.

Part Two coming tomorrow…

Want to subscribe via email? Just follow this link and subscribe there. Remember that I do not sell, give away or use your email address for anything other than notifying you about the latest published articles from The Flooring Diva.