The large building centers offer a PVC window blind that is a cross over between grab & go blind and custom made window treatment. These are "cut as you wait". You take measurements in and they cut your blind at store. These PVC blinds are cheap and you get what you pay for. The slats are PVC, but so is everything else like head rail (normally metal), tilt mechanism (normally metal), barrels (metal best) and etc. Customers are more often than not are dissatisfied with this type of PVC blind and there is no warranty.

PVC blinds -Synonyms Here a brief list of some of trade names blind companies give to blinds made with PVC slats. Many of these are trade marked names.

Woodmates (Hunter Douglas), Doverwood (Comfortex), Faux Wood Blinds (Generic Term), Infusion, Lake Forest (Graber), Wood Look (Levolor), Wood Plus, Inspire, Panama and many other generic names. Be sure to ask your dealer if it is a solid foam PVC blind and ask about warranty. See faux wood blinds.

Composite Blinds

Composite blinds are made from a combination of wood by products and polymers. Composite Slats are also a newer material being used for window covering. Slat widths are generally 2", 2 1/2", and sometimes 3" and come in flat or elliptical shapes. The blind slat's surface is a smooth poly-coating or a solid composite material. Like PVC, color selection is limited most often to whites but there are a few wood tone and stain colors available. Composite blinds are priced in low mid range. They are very durable, UV resistant, water resistant, less likely to warp than wood and easy to clean. The one main draw back to composite blinds is weight of slats. Composite blinds slats are lighter than PVC blinds but heavier than wood and therefore a good choice for large windows coverings.

Composite Blinds- Synonyms- Here a brief list of some of trade names blind companies give to blinds made with Composite slats. Many of these are trade marked names.

Everwood (Hunter Douglas), Devonwood (Comfortex), Wood Impressions (Timber Blind and Shutter), NuWood (Levolor), Faux Wood (generic term). Other copywrited names for composite blinds are: Windsorwood, Woodperfect, Woodwinds, Distinctive Blinds, Privacy Plus, Shutter Blinds, and Intrigue. See Composite blinds.

Wood Blinds

Both value & premium wood blinds are made from real woods. The value wood blind slats are made from assorted Oriental hardwoods. The premium wood blind slats are made from American hardwoods (usually Basswood). Slat widths are generally 1",2", 2 1/2", and sometimes 3". The blind slat's surface is either painted or stained. The color selection of this window covering is quite large with several different whites and most popular hardwood stain colors. If you are wanting to match a cabinet or trim stain, wood blinds are your best bet. Wood blinds are most expensive blinds in this category. All wood slats can warp and may color fade over long periods of time. Wood blind slats are lightest material and work well for large windows.

Wood Blind- Synonyms- Here a brief list of some of trade names blind companies give to blinds made with wood slats. Many of these are trade marked names.

Country Wood (Hunter Douglas), Design Basics, ValueWood (Timber Blind & Shutter), Southeastwood, Olympian Wood, Classique, Chalet Wood (Hunter Douglas), Premium Woods (Timber Blind & Shutter), Northern Heights. See wood blinds.

FAQ's about Shades Shutters and Blinds

I also have an article about frequently asked questions about shades shutters and blinds. See Frequently Asked Questions.

I hope this information about this type of window blinds was helpful. If you would like to get more information about these blinds and many other products we provide, please visit us at Shades Shutters Blinds or e-mail me at support@shadesshutterssblinds.