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Product Characteristics - Faux Wood Venetian Blinds
This document has been created by the British Blind and Shutter Association (BBSA) with the purpose of outlining the essential characteristics of faux wood venetian blinds. Its aim is to assist you in making an informed decision when purchasing blinds for your needs.
The following product characteristics provided below accurately depict the current state of the art and any relevant standards in the industry. By familiarizing yourself with these key features, you will be better equipped to choose faux wood venetian blinds that meet your specific requirements and preferences.
Faux Wood Venetian Blinds
Faux wood venetian blinds are typically made from a synthetic material, often PVC, which makes them heavier compared to other types of blinds, including real wood blinds. Raising faux wood venetian blinds may require some effort due to their weight. Although heavier, faux wood blinds are not as rigid as real wood blinds, and you may notice slight dipping or bowing between the supporting ladders. To minimize this effect, faux wood blinds are usually equipped with additional support ladders across the width of the blind to reduce the unsupported span of the slats. However, this slight dipping or bowing does not impact the blinds' ability to provide shading and privacy.
Colours and finishes: Since faux wood blinds are made from a synthetic material, the color and finish are generally more consistent compared to real wood blinds. Over time, the color of the slats may gradually fade, similar to any synthetic material. Minor defects such as light scratches and marks on the headrail, which is covered by the valance, are considered acceptable.
Installations
Unlike natural wood blinds, faux wood blinds can withstand environments with high humidity and moisture levels. Real wood blinds would warp and twist under such conditions. Faux wood blinds are, therefore, a more suitable choice for bathrooms and kitchens. However, it's important to note that faux wood blinds require some degree of ventilation to prevent excessive heat buildup between the blind and the window. This is particularly relevant on exceptionally hot days, especially for south-facing windows, conservatories, and sunrooms. Excessive heat can cause the slats to twist or permanently deform. Therefore, it is recommended to keep the slats slightly tilted or open to allow airflow through the window space. In situations where excessive heat buildup is expected, it is not recommended to have a secondary window covering, such as a closed curtain, over the faux wood blind, as it would contribute to additional heat buildup.
Light Exclusion:
Although faux wood venetian blinds provide a good degree of light exclusion, it's important to note that they are not blackout blinds, and some light may still enter through various points:
• Slats: When the slats are tilted, they do not fully touch, allowing some light to filter through. The gaps between fully tilted slats may be larger towards the bottom of the blind and between the top slat and the headrail.
• Bottom rail: The bottom rail is designed to rest on the sill, preventing the blind from swaying and reducing light entering from underneath. However, this can limit the full closure of the slats at the base, allowing some additional light to filter through.
• Sides/Punch holes: A limited amount of light may also filter through the punched cord holes in the slats and around the sides of the blind. The amount of light coming through may not be consistent across the entire blind. If you are standing next to the blind with the slats fully tilted, it is possible to see through the gaps between the slats to the outside. This is a normal characteristic of venetian blinds.
Wide Faux Wooden Blinds
Installing sufficient support brackets is essential for wider wooden blinds, as they provide additional support to the headrail and help prevent it from bowing or sagging under the weight of the slats.
Things to consider when choosing Faux Wooden blinds that are too wide:
- Sagging in the middle – the headrail can bow under the weight of the slats, especially when raised
- Strain on the mechanism – lifting and tilting becomes harder, which can shorten the lifespan of the components
- Uneven operation – blinds may not raise evenly, leading to a crooked or jammed look
- More wear and tear – cords, ladders, and internal parts are under more stress and can fail sooner
- Poor appearance – a wide blind that sags or sits unevenly can look untidy and low quality
- Need for extra brackets – centre supports are often required, which can interrupt the clean look
- Handling issues – wider blinds are heavier and less user-friendly to operate on a daily basis
Raised Blinds
When in the raised position the blind may not raise perfectly horizontally and may have a slight bow on the bottom bar. This is due to how the ladder/tapes fold between the slats, the quantity and positioning of the lift cords, and the weight on the product.
In short, going too wide, raising blinds can affect both performance and appearance, so it’s advised to split into multiple blinds for larger windows. Bowing or sagging on wider blinds is not considered a fault, but a limitation of the product when used beyond recommended widths.
Fitting in a Bay Window:
When faux wood venetian blinds are fitted in a bay window, there may be gaps where the neighboring blind headrails meet each other. The size of these gaps will depend on factors such as the shape of the bay, the window style, and the blind system's specifications. These gaps will be more noticeable when the slats are closed. Similarly, at the edge of the bay, there may be light gaps or potential loss of privacy, depending on the angle of the bay and the adjoining walls.
Finished Drop/Length: Achieving the exact ordered size may not be possible due to the set distances of the slat support rungs. To prevent the blind from being too short, an extra slat may be added to ensure a suitable drop length. As a result, the blind may have a slightly longer drop than originally ordered.
Raised Blinds:
When the blinds are in the raised position, they may not raise perfectly horizontally and may have a slight bow on the bottom bar. This is influenced by factors such as the rigidity of the bottom rail (typically hollow PVC), the weight of the blind, and how the ladder/tapes fold between the slats.
Slat Alignment: The alignment of slats can vary due to tolerances in the ladder support rungs. Therefore, absolute alignment between adjacent blinds cannot be guaranteed. The number of ladders/tapes in venetian blinds depends on the blind's width and will vary accordingly. For example, a 600mm wide blind may have two ladders, while a 615mm blind on the same order could have three.
Cut-down blinds:
Cut-down blinds are standard-sized blinds that can be trimmed to fit your window. They are competitively priced but keep in mind that the cords for raising, lowering, and tilting the blind, as well as the ladder cords and tapes, may be in different positions if you order them for multiple windows. If you are buying multiple blinds for the same room with different-sized windows, consider this option carefully.
Fitting inside the reveal (window recess):
When fitting blinds inside the reveal, the width of the blind must be narrower than the width of the reveal to allow for operating clearance. If there are any obstructions in the reveal, such as tiles at the base or a dado rail, the blind will need to be made to accommodate the narrowest width.
Reveal (recess) not dimensionally consistent: While faux wood venetian blinds are made square, reveals in reality often are not. The head of the window or sill may not be level, and the distances between the side walls can vary. The distance from the edge of the reveal to the window may also vary. Therefore, blinds will either be fitted to run parallel to the window or to the edge of the reveal.
Motorisation: There is a wide range of motorized solutions available for convenience and comfort, each with its own characteristics. Consider the following points:
• Speed and alignment: Blinds in the same installation may not travel at the same speed and may not line up if stopped during their travel due to mechanical and electrical tolerances.
• Noise: Motorized blinds emit some noise during operation. Quiet motors may be available.
• Wiring: Some surface wiring may be required. For blinds powered by 240V mains power, a competent person will be needed to provide a power feed unless the blinds can be powered from an existing socket using a plug.
• Motor protection: For safety reasons, most motors have a thermal cut-out to protect against overheating from overuse. After sufficient cooling, the motor will start working again.
Smart Home Hub: If a smart home hub is used, the signals to the blinds may occasionally be interrupted by other wireless devices in the home, such as smart speakers or doorbells. This can affect the operation or seamless operation of the blind.
Child safety: Blinds with cords or chains can pose a risk of strangulation to young children. The BBSA (British Blinds and Shutters Association) recommends inherently safe products (Safe by Design). If you choose a product with additional child safety devices, they must be securely fitted as required.