Wood blinds are the warmest-looking of the hard coverings: horizontal slats that tilt to control light, in a material people genuinely like the look and the feel of. They are also, of everything we fit, the most sensitive to where they are installed. On an island with damp air for half the year, that distinction decides which one you should buy.

Real wood versus faux-wood

Real wood — timber slats, generally 25mm or 50mm, stained or painted. Beautiful, and the most responsive to humidity: timber takes on and releases moisture, so slats can move, bow or discolour over time in a damp room.
Faux-wood (composite) — a polymer or composite that looks like timber and shrugs off moisture. Same look at a distance, better behaviour in a bathroom, a kitchen or a cottage left cold through winter.

If the room is dry and heated, real wood is the finer product and worth it. If it is steamy, unheated or near the water, faux-wood is the sensible purchase — and we will say so rather than sell you the more expensive one.

How timber behaves in island air

Humidity does not destroy wood quickly; it moves it. Slats swell slightly in July and shrink again in February, which can show up as a bow along a long slat or a change in how the slats sit together. Near the shore, salt in the air is harder on the fittings than on the timber — brackets, cords and chains discolour or stiffen first. Mention that the house is near the water and we will choose hardware accordingly.

Where each one makes sense

Real wood — living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, home offices. Rooms that are heated, occupied and not steamy.
Faux-wood — bathrooms, kitchens, laundries, basements, sunrooms, and cottages that sit empty and unheated.
Either — a dry, heated living room away from the water, where people simply prefer the look of timber.

Slat size, light and privacy

Narrower slats read finer and more contemporary; wider slats look more traditional and give more view through the window when tilted. Tilting the slats gives you adjustable privacy while still letting light in — the reason wood blinds suit street-facing rooms so well. Closed, they are private; they are not blackout, and we will not pretend otherwise.

Care

Dust with a duster or a vacuum brush — do not soak them. A barely damp cloth on the slats is fine. In a coastal house, wipe the cords and brackets a couple of times a year, which is the single best thing you can do for salt exposure.

Questions we’re asked most often

Can I have wood blinds in a bathroom?

We would advise against real wood in a room that gets steamy. Faux-wood gives you the same look and will not be ruined by it.

Do they block out light?

No — slats tilt for light control, not blackout. If the room needs darkness, a blackout shade or a dual roller behind or beside the blinds is the honest answer.

Which is better for a cottage?

Faux-wood, or a synthetic fabric shade. An unheated cottage in February is the hardest environment on the island for any timber product.

Next step

Call +1 902-314-0877, email [email protected], or request a consultation and we will arrange a visit.

Serving Charlottetown, Stratford, Cornwall, Summerside and communities across Prince Edward Island.