Anyone who has timber blinds in there home will tell you that it changes the whole feel of the house; giving it a natural warmth and character that makes you feel comfortable being in. Timber blinds have always been a favorite, and continue to be used in all sorts of different styles of homes, from more modern to older heritage houses. People usually choose timber as the material to cover their windows in based on its looks, but there are plenty of other benefits to this material. There are also a few different ways you can present timber, each one giving it a unique characteristic.

Stained – If it’s the natural look of timber you are after, then stained is definitely the way to go. When you buy stained wooden blinds, you are buying the look of timber in its most natural form. The beauty of timber is that every single slat is unique, it has its own grain patterns, like a fingerprint that sets it apart from all the other slats. This natural grain is able to show through in a stained finish and gives your window a whole lot more character.

Lacquered – If you like the unique aspect mentioned above, but would prefer a smoother finish, then you may want to consider lacquered timber. Adding a lacquer will make the end product a lot more shiny and smooth, and in many types of wood, this glossy finish will help the unique grains of the wood stand out even more.

Painted – If it’s the functionality of the wood that you are after, but have a interior decor that wood would not work in, then you can still get wood painted, helping it to blend in more with your home. Painted wood will quite often last longer than stained or lacquered. That is, you won’t need to repaint as often as you would need to relacquer or restain. You can buy blinds that are already painted, or save yourself a bit of money, buy them raw, and paint them yourself. When painting timber blinds and shutters, you need to keep in mind that you are going to need to the right tools to do the job properly. Many people prefer spray paints for blinds, as it can be difficult getting between all those slats with a brush.

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Coated Finishes – For extra protection, regardless of whether you choose stained, lacquered or painted, you are going to want to finish your blinds with a high quality coating. These coatings are specifically designed to repel dust, meaning you don’t have to clean them as often. They also will protect the wood against moisture and the harmful UV rays of the sun.

The three most popular timbers used to make blinds are basswood, cedar and ramin. Basswood is a hardwood, and because of its great strength and durability, is one of the most popular timbers for use in window coverings. It also has a very distinctive look with grains that really stand out on your window. In America, the use of rainforest timbers and wood from old growth forests is no longer legal. Make sure when you buy your blinds that you ask the retailer where the wood was sourced from. You want to be sure that it has come from a renewable resource and is environmentally sustainable.

Any type of blind that is available on the market is available in a timber finish. By far the most popular style is timber venetian blinds, which are perfect for the average sized window, and give you the benefit of controlling the amount of light that comes into your home. The great thing about wooden venetian blinds is that they won’t break the bank, so if you have a lot of windows to cover, this could be a great option for you. Any timber blind and shutter choice also will give you the added benefit of keeping your home cool during summer and warm during winter. Wood is a natural insulator, and although it is a little more expensive than synthetic materials, it will pay for itself over time in savings on your energy bills.