When it comes to Venetian blinds nowadays, there seems to be an endless supply of options. You are no longer stuck with having to choose the same old metal school blinds as before. you can have wooden ones, Venetian blinds finished in fabric, composite materials, etc. The choice is varied and you can take the time to choose what really suits you in terms of style, decor and price.
Cool Contemporary Feel
Aluminium Venetian blinds have come a long way from those flimsy, clinical blinds used commercially for so many years. Aluminium blinds come in a variety of different colours and finishes and are ideally suited for those areas where a more clean line is required. Aluminium blinds are clean, slick and can be the ideal to finish off a minimalist room. They also fit in with most decor styles and are light-weight and versatile.
Keeping them clean is a simple matter of dusting at least once a week, more in dustier areas, and a good wipe down with a damp cloth every second week or so. They will last for ages without fading, cracking or losing their lustre but may not be the best option in areas where there is a lot of wind. Maintenance is a breeze.
Less Common
Fabric finished Venetian blinds are much less common and they usually have a metal or wooden core anyway. To be fair, unless the fabric is chosen very carefully, this is not a style that lends itself to fabric blinds at all. You would probably be better off looking for vertical fabric blinds.
Warm and Wooden
Wooden Venetian blinds are becoming more and more popular. Not only do they come in a variety of different wood-grains, they can also easily be painted for a quick update. Depending on the type of wood chosen, they may be quite a bit heavier than aluminium blinds and so are better suited to areas where there is a lot of wind. Timber Venetian blinds do not bend as easily as aluminium blinds and are often preferred because of their natural looking finish.
The blinds themselves are just as easy to maintain – once a week dust and every second week wipe down with a damp cloth. There may, depending on the type of blind, be more maintenance involved. The wood may need to be oiled or varnished regularly to protect it from the sun. Properly looked after, these blinds could last a lifetime.