If you’re in the market for new window treatments, then you’ve got a number of terrific options from a decorative standpoint. You can either find window treatments that will blend in nicely with the rest of the rooms in your home, or opt for coverings that will stand out and add character to any environment. If the idea of the latter sounds appealing to you, then you might want to consider one type of window treatment that’s been growing in popularity since it was first introduced – the woven wood shade. Craig Rogers is the owner of Blind Tailors, Inc., a blinds and closet design company in North Carolina since 2004, and according to him, woven woods are some of the trendiest window treatments available today.
Woven wood shades are window coverings that are made of out of natural, hand-woven materials such as bamboo and jute. Similar to Roman and cellular shades, woven woods can be raised and lowered to let light in or block it out. Woven wood shades are typically available in an array of styles and hanging mechanisms, from top down, bottom up to the other way around. They can also act as private, semi-private, or blackout shades depending on the preference of the homeowner involved.
Several benefits are inherent in woven wood shades. From an aesthetic perspective, woven wood shades can offer homeowners an extremely unique look as far as patterns and materials are concerned. Those who are looking for window treatments that can speak for themselves and incorporate an element of design into a given room or area of the house should consider woven woods for their originality and visual appeal. Another benefit of woven woods is that they are probably the most eco-friendly window treatment available on the market. Since woven woods are typically made out of renewable natural resources, those who are environmentally conscious can treat themselves to window coverings that are not only incredibly attractive, but good for the planet as well.
On the other hand, woven wood shades are somewhat limited as far as light control is concerned. Although they are fairly flexible in allowing light in and out, woven woods, due to their woven patterns, can sometimes end up being see-through –- a fact that can become an issue for bedroom and dressing area use. In many cases, the addition of a liner is necessary in order to create a privacy barrier and allow for the possibility of a blackout effect.
Another drawback of woven wood shades is that they can be somewhat pricey. Although woven woods typically aren’t as expensive as plantation shutters and Roman shades, they do tend to cost more than cellular shades and wooden slats. Also, while the price of woven woods can fluctuate significantly depending on a person’s material of choice, the addition of a liner can add to the overall cost, thereby propelling it out of the budget-conscious homeowner’s range.
One final disadvantage of woven wood shades is that they do tend to be more delicate than most similar types of window treatments. As such, they are usually not a good choice for households where small children and pets are likely to run freely. Woven wood shades can also, by nature, be a bit challenging for homeowners as far as cleaning and maintenance are concerned.
While there are plenty of good reasons to select woven woods for your upcoming decorating project, there are also a number of reasons to opt for shades that are practical and cost-effective. However, if you’re looking for a set of window treatments that is truly one-of-a-kind, then woven wood shades are certainly an excellent way to go.
