If you are interested in using blinds as a window covering, you should look into wood blinds. Wood blinds have a number of unique properties that make them an excellent alternative to metal or plastic blinds. Wood blinds block out the light much better than plastic, they are more durable than metal, and they provide excellent UV protection. Many people also find wood blinds to be more luxurious than the sterile office look of standard metal blinds.

Wood blinds come in three slat sizes: 1 inch, 2 inch and 3 inch. Your selection is mainly based on taste, but you must also keep in mind that larger slats require a deeper window recess for mounting. Always look for kiln-dried wood when you are selecting your blinds, as they will tend to resist warping. There are many types of wood to choose from, but you should look for lightweight hard wood such as bass and maple.

Wood blinds are certainly elegant, but they are also very affordable. You can purchase A 5x5 1 inch slat bass wood shutter for as little as $34 from a number of online retailers. They will also custom cut your shades to fit around tile and moldings for a small additional charge. Once they are ordered, they can be delivered in as few as 3 – 5 days.