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  Types of Wood Blinds
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  Stains and Finishes
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  Maintenance and Durability
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  Light Control
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  Manufacturers
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  Slat Sizes
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  Choosing Slat Sizes
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  Slat Designs
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  Rout Options
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  Cloth Tapes
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  Control Options
  
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  Full Grain vs Wood Stains

Types of Wood Used in Wood Blinds

Wood blinds have come a long way since their origins and are now available in a variety of wood types. Although traditional cherry, oak and maple woods are still popular, many people are finding that alternative wood blinds work better for their home and may even come with a cheaper price tag. Before purchasing the perfect wood blinds for your home, consider your options of wood types.

Not all wood is the same and your type of wood will determine how well the wood blinds holds up under moist conditions and its durability in high traffic areas. Weight, natural color and price also vary with wood blind type.

Although all wood blinds are made of 100% natural wood fiber, most wood blinds fall into one of three categories:

• Genuine Wood
• North American Hardwood
• Ramin Wood

Genuine wood blinds are the traditional wood blinds that provide beauty and warmth without any staining or finish. These types of woods tend to be the most expensive wood blinds available, but can be well worth the price if you want the real thing for your wood blinds. Most of these wood blinds are made from real oak, maple, or cherry, or any other naturally beautiful wood. These genuine wood blinds do not need a stain or finish so you won't need to worry about fading or damage to color.

Most manufacturers agree, however, that North American Hardwoods make the best wood blinds. These wood blinds warp less easily than traditional genuine wood blinds and are lighter than Ramin wood blinds. Most North American hard wood blinds are made from wood like basswood, poplar, or aspen and can be stained or painted to match any décor. These strong woods make wood blinds that are also durable under most conditions and easy to raise and lower because of their weight.

Ramin Wood blinds are generally less expensive than either genuine wood blinds or North American hardwood, but it is heavier than the alternatives. In fact, Ramin wood blinds are approximately 60% heavier than hardwoods, making these wood blinds more difficult to raise and lower with ease. Since they are a natural wood, they also have a tendency to warp under very humid conditions but can be seen as an upgrade from faux wood blinds or aluminum mini blinds.