Interior design trends are continually changing, but wood blinds always seem to be in style. They’ve been popular for centuries because they effortlessly blend with almost any décor, from traditional to rustic to contemporary, and are practical when it comes to light control and privacy. Plus, they really add a feeling of warmth and comfort to a room.

Before you make your selection, there are a few things you should know about blinds. First, in addition to real wood which are crafted from hardwoods like basswood, oak or cherry, faux wood are constructed entirely from polystyrene.

When choosing between real wood and faux wood, think about the climate you live in, what room you’re working with and your personal style.

Real Wood Blinds

Real wooden blinds, like Parkland^® Wood Blinds, are made from genuine hardwood. Blinds crafted from 100% real wood tend to be priced higher than others because, like a piece of fine furniture, they have a natural fine grain and unique character.

With many gorgeous stains and colors to choose from, you can match real wood with your interior window casings and moldings, so they’ll feel like part of the room’s architecture. You can also customize your blinds with a wide selection of finishes, slat sizes, upgrades, decorative tapes and cornices.

Compared to faux wood, real wood are lighter in weight and come in more slat size options. For example, Parkland Blinds are available with 2½”, 2″ or 1 3/8″ wood slats. Real wooden blinds also require more delicate care—so avoid harsh chemicals when cleaning them. Although real wood isn’t recommended for high humidity spaces like bathrooms, kitchens or laundry rooms, they’re excellent at insulating your home and shielding your furnishings from direct sunlight, which makes them ideal for living and dining rooms, bedrooms and family rooms.

Faux Wooden Style Blinds

Faux wood, like EverWood^® Alternative Wood Blinds, have the luxurious look of wood with realistic grain patterns and finishes like TruGrain^®. Faux wood are not as lightweight as real wood blinds, so they need more support, or “ladder spacing” (ladders are the vertical cords that hold slats in place). Available in a huge selection of colors, EverWood are also guaranteed to never fade, yellow, warp or bow, even in extreme temperatures and direct sunlight. And they’re offered with 2½” or 2″ wood slats. Best of all, they’re only crafted with earth-friendly materials like polystyrene.

Faux wood blinds are a more affordable option, and cleaning them is easy: Gently wipe slats with a damp cloth, since moisture won’t damage them.