You can file this one in the "did you know" category.  The size of your window will generally dictate whether a wood or faux wood blind is the right choice.  The information provided below is from a wood and faux wood blind fabricator.  Sizes may vary slightly from fabricator to fabricator, but this should provide an excellent ballpark as you consider your window covering options.

SIZE CONSIDERATIONS FOR WOOD AND FAUX WOOD BLINDS:​

• Minimum Width- 8”
  • NOTE: Any blinds made less than 12” width may not lay completely flat or operate consistently. This must be considered when ordering.​
• Maximum Width- Faux wood 108” - Basswood 96”​
• Minimum Height- 10”​
• Maximum Height- 120”​
• Maximum Width for Multiple Blinds on one head rail- 120”

Of course, we would love to help you with your wood or faux wood blind project.  Also, for a rough idea of what your project might cost, check out our online wood and faux wood blind calculator. 

Please kindly imagine that you are having new plantation shutters installed throughout your house, however it just does not make sense to put shutters on a few of the windows.  Why?  Well, maybe it does not make sense from an installation perspective, or maybe it is just not a window which justifies the higher cost of plantation shutters.  In these instances, there is a solution.

To solve this dilemma, a few shutter manufacturers offer faux wood blinds available in colors which coordinate with their poly or wood shutters.  As such, these faux wood blinds and can be used in areas that shutters might not be preferred - such as bathrooms, over kitchen sinks, kid’s playrooms and other humid or hot environments. These color coordinated faux wood blinds are also perfect for garages, attics and outbuildings. Poly faux wood blinds are generally made from 100% PVC but have the look of wood combined with the durability, ease of maintenance and wash-ability of PVC. Color coordinated faux wood blinds provide an inexpensive alternate to shutters on some windows for which a shutter would be unnecessary or undesirable.

Of course, we would love to help you color coordinate your wood or faux wood blind project with your shutter project.  Also, for a rough idea of what your project might cost, check out our online wood and faux wood blind calculator. 

Many manufacturers require what is referred to as a template to produce custom wood blinds for an arched window.  This type of customization either can have fan top slats or the slats can be horizontal all the way to the top.  In either case, a template may be required, and making it correctly will ensure that your arch wood blind fits properly.

So, without further adieu, here are steps for making a template:

To create a template you will need a sheet of paper that will allow light to show through and is large enough to cover the opening (we recommend craft or butcher paper).

1. Tape the paper over the window opening.
2. Outline the opening of the window with a well defined line.
3. Remove the paper from the window opening and cut the template out.  There should be no rough or jagged edges.
4. Place the template back into the opening to verify it is the correct size.  The template should also match your measurements. (The arch will be made 1/4” smaller for an inside mount to allow for installation clearance)
5. Mark the template to indicate the top of the window and which side of the arch faces out into the room.
6. Roll the template, place in mailing tube and mail it, along with your completed order form, to your manufacturer.

It is also a great idea to make and keep a second copy for yourself from the first as we have seen more than one template lost in the busy shuffle of a manufacturer's shop.  Within 2-4 weeks, you should be able to enjoy your arch shaped wood blind which matches the other wood blinds on your standard "right angle" windows.

Of course, we would love to help you with your wood or faux wood blind project.  Also, for a rough idea of what your project might cost, check out our online wood and faux wood blind calculator.   

This week reminded us of why we enjoy using a local fabricator for our wood and faux wood blind projects. When a customer's requirements match the product, we will default to offering our local wood and faux wood blind fabricator's product line.  They offer a very high quality product at a mid-range price point.  While this is not the right choice for every project, it is the right choice for many projects - and this week we were reminded why.

You see, local fabricators of wood and faux wood blinds have to do things to differentiate themselves from the Chinese or Mexican made product which is cheaper, as well as the big name brands sold at the big box stores. As such, local fabricators must differentiate themselves from these competitors.  In our case, they offer exceptional quality at the mid-point price, but beyond that they add a layer of service which is unmatched in the industry.

So, to our story.  One of our customers, who had purchased faux wood blinds as provided by our local fabricator, had a minor issues with the lift mechanism and cording on one of their blinds.  With other brands it would be several iterations and visits to the house to troubleshoot, reorder, decide who was at fault, etc.  These sorts of minor issues can turn into a multifaceted struggle when dealing with the cheaper blinds or the large corporate entities.

In our case, one call to our local faux wood blind fabricator, who guarantees their product with a "bumper to bumper" limited lifetime warranty, and the problem was handled.  You see, they will send their own factory trained service professional to any location in our region to handle any issue with their blinds free of charge for one full year.  In this case, a quick call by us to our fabricator resulted in a service call being scheduled with our customer with 24 hours.  The problem was fixed with no fuss.  And, this particular fabricator offer this "white glove service" as part of their price point.  Beautifully, this year of extra protection handles 95% of all issues which can arise - which to be fair is a very rare occurrence.

Of course, we would love to help you with your wood or faux wood blind project.  Also, for a rough idea of what your project might cost, check out our online wood and faux wood blind calculator.