Wooden window blinds: the perfect union of practicality and natural beauty

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When decorating modern interiors, many designers use wooden blinds for windows. These products help create a favorable microclimate in the room, while simultaneously serving as a decorative decoration. These are environmentally friendly, practical, functional and aesthetic window curtains that fit any interior design. What are the features of such blinds? Which type is better? The answers to these and other questions are presented in the article.

Wooden blinds can create a positive microclimate in any room

Wooden blinds for windows: structure and features of this type of curtains

People first started talking about wooden blinds several centuries ago, when the products were protective curtains that prevented the passage of sunlight into the room and protected from prying eyes. Such a curtain was invented by a Venetian merchant who tried to hide his wife from envious people.

Blinds can be made from beech, cherry, cedar, linden or balsa wood

Modern wooden blinds are thin slats held together using strong rope or chain. The slats are made from durable beech, cherry, mahogany, linden, cedar or balsa wood, which determines the price of wooden window blinds. The slats are made no more than 3 mm thick and 2.5-5 cm wide. Each option can be clearly seen in the catalogs of blinds from different manufacturers. The elements are coated on top with a special non-toxic varnish, which protects the material from external negative influences, moisture and dust.

The design can be supplemented with a remote control or switch for automatic control, which increases the price of window blinds. The kit may also include a system of weights for manually adjusting the position of the blinds, and decorative lacing that hides the joints of the slats.

How to markup

In order to prevent distortions during installation, before installing horizontal blinds on the wall above a plastic window with drilling, it is necessary to make markings. Do not forget to leave enough space above the window, otherwise, when assembled, the slats will interfere with the opening of the sashes.

We will need:

1. Blind block.
2. Bolts and dowels to match the bracket.
3. Roulette.
4. Level.
5. Construction pencil.
6. Drill.
7. Hammer.
8. Screwdriver.

Operating procedure:

1. Using a level and ruler, mark each side.
2. Place the bottom of the mount on the reference line, then mark the drilling points with a pencil.
3. Mark the markings with crosses to better identify the drilling points.
4. Drill where the dowels will go, keeping the tool perpendicular.
5. Insert the dowels by hand and drive them in with a hammer.

The main advantages and disadvantages of wooden blinds for plastic windows

Among the main advantages of wooden blinds are strength, wear resistance, environmental friendliness and durability. Wood is a hypoallergenic material, therefore it does not have a negative effect on the human body. It is recommended to install such blinds in children's rooms and bedrooms.

Wooden blinds are significantly more expensive than products made from other materials

These curtains fit perfectly into any interior design, making it original and stylish, as demonstrated by photos of IKEA wooden blinds. The designs are distinguished by a wide variety of natural shades. Slats made of natural material reliably protect the room from the penetration of ultraviolet rays, while not fading or deforming from excessive exposure to the sun.

The design is easy to control, which allows you to select the appropriate position of the slats to provide the optimal intensity of natural light in the room. Wooden blinds do not require special care. To maintain an aesthetic appearance and comfortable microclimate conditions, it is enough to regularly wipe the dust from the slats with a damp cloth. The product can be cleaned periodically using a vacuum cleaner.

Important! Blinds made of natural wood, according to psychologists, have a beneficial effect on the psycho-emotional state of a person who is indoors.

Wooden blinds are strong, wear-resistant and durable

The main disadvantage is the high price of wooden blinds, which significantly exceeds the cost of plastic analogues. This type of curtains is not recommended for installation on windows in rooms with high humidity, which can cause swelling and deformation of the slats. Another disadvantage of wooden blinds is their high fire hazard, so they should not be placed near fire sources.

The main advantages of the option under consideration

First of all, let’s look at how wooden products differ from others: plastic, aluminum, textile. Wood is a unique material, which determines the following properties of structures:

Advice! When choosing one option or another, pay special attention to the quality of the products; for this, we advise you to consult with specialists and find out the opinions of users on specialized resources. They will tell you the nuances that sellers may be silent about.

Such blinds can completely block the flow of light from the window.

Vertical, roller and horizontal blinds for windows

There are three main types of wooden blinds: horizontal, vertical and roller blinds.

The first option is represented by a design in which narrow slats are arranged horizontally. They are connected to each other using ropes or fabric. The latter option has a more aesthetic appearance. Most often, such wooden blinds are made to order. Horizontal structures can be attached directly to the window frame, so that the product fits tightly to it. This is the best option for skylights. This design can be mounted on the inside of the window or between the frames.

IKEA offers a wide range of models. IKEA horizontal wooden blinds are made primarily from cedar, linden, mahogany and bamboo.

Roller blinds are made from thin strips of wood or bamboo

Roller blinds are made from slats made of compressed bamboo or thin strips of wood that are securely intertwined. The design has a light and elegant appearance. This option is most suitable for the living room and kitchen.

Of particular interest today are wooden shutters, which were used in ancient times. They can be used as a piece of furniture, replacing the door to the dressing room. Different options are shown in the photo of wooden shutter doors for a closet.

Characteristics of vertical wooden blinds

Vertical models contribute to the visual expansion of space and look very elegant. They are heavier. In them, the lamellas, having sufficient width, are arranged vertically. The vertical system is demanding on the quality of the sliding mechanism. It is equipped mainly with expensive hinge fittings.

Such structures should be attached to the ceiling or wall. They are ideal for living rooms and offices decorated in oriental, ethnographic, country or Moroccan style. Vertical blinds are best combined with various curtains and drapes.

Vertical blinds made of wood are attached to the wall or ceiling

Expensive window blinds (the photos clearly show the different options) are made of mahogany, which adds a refined flavor and a touch of aristocracy to the atmosphere. Budget products are made from veneer using the weaving technique. Such models are ideally combined with straight fabric curtains with an ethnic theme.

Helpful advice! The vertical structure can be presented in the form of a wooden fence-blinds, used to zone the space.

The slats of both blind options can have a smooth or textured base. Products can be made entirely of wood or supplemented with metal inserts. A pattern can be applied to the surface of the lamellas, thanks to which the structure acquires a more aesthetic and original appearance.

Two simple instructions for “homemade”

Now, as promised, it’s time to tell you how to make blinds for your home with your own hands. Of course, people who do this all the time know a lot of different recipes. I’ll tell you about the simplest and most accessible ones, or rather those that I encountered.

Recipe No. 1. Fabric roller blinds

To make it, we will need a piece of fabric, braid or decorative ribbon and two wooden planks. In addition, to assemble all this you need to have a sewing machine and a simple plumbing tool.

Making homemade fabric blinds with your own hands, like any work, begins with taking measurements. The structure itself can be mounted on the arch of a window opening or on the ceiling. Therefore, first decide on the installation point.

Option for roller blinds made of wicker.

The starting width of the canvas is taken to be 2 - 3 cm larger than the planned working width of our curtains. To get the length, you need to fold the canvas in half and add 12 - 16 cm to the working length.

The length of the upper wooden plank is taken according to the working width of the canvas. In principle, the cross-section of the plank can be any, but I used a 25x25 mm block. I used a round stick with a diameter of 20 mm as the bottom bar.

First, fold the canvas in half, right side inward, and stitch on 3 sides. We should get a kind of bag. By the way, the top edge of this bag must also be folded and stitched so that the rags do not stick out.

Now we turn our bag inside out and iron it well.

The idea is simple: we hang the canvas under the arch of the window. And to open our blinds, we roll them up from the bottom up. To keep this roll in place, we tie it with ribbons at the required height.

Scheme of a homemade roller blind.

There are a lot of variations of this design, depending on who you are. The canvas is glued to the top bar with glue, attached with Velcro, and even shot with a stapler. But I came up with my own model and my wife is happy with it.

Traditionally, the working canvas is folded at the bottom and stitched again. The lower wooden strip will be inserted into this improvised pocket, like a pipe, onto which the canvas is actually wound.

We screw 2 hooks into the top bar, and into the arch of the window opening, using plastic dowels for quick installation, we install 2 metal loops under these hooks. There are enough such accessories in any market.

Garters for home roller blinds.

The working canvas itself is not attached to the top wooden plank in any way; it is tied to it at 2 points with ribbons. These 4 garters are sewn from the inside of the bag, approximately 5 - 7 cm below the edge of the bag. At two points opposite. By the way, you can make more attachment points, just two were enough for me.

At the same 4 points, only on the outside, long strips are sewn to support the roll of blinds. In order to get the blinds into working order, I put the bag on the top bar suspended by metal loops and tie the inner ribbons above it. And from below I insert a wooden stick for the base under the roll.

Making fabric curtains.

As you may remember, the inner straps are sewn a little deeper than the edge, so the wooden strip and metal hooks and loops are completely covered by the edge of our bag. That's basically all the wisdom. In the diagram, I drew the structure of such roller blinds as best I could.

Recipe No. 2. Thick paper curtains

Paper curtains, you understand, cannot be called durable. In my case, when the child saw that roller blinds seemed to be made for his mother in the kitchen, he pestered me with a demand to do something similar in his room.

Pleated paper for curtains.

There was a roll of wallpaper in the bins of our homeland, so together we began to think about how to make blinds from wallpaper. Please don't judge too harshly, but this is what we got.

Just like in the rolled version, 2 wooden planks were taken as a skeleton. Only this time the top bar was 20x30 mm, and the bottom 30x10 mm. So to speak, the design thickness of our blinds was 30 mm.

After the fabric model in the kitchen, making roller blinds from wallpaper in the nursery was no longer interesting, so we settled on pleated curtains. Then everything is simple. We took a roll of wallpaper and folded it into pleats with a pleat width of 30 mm. The length was not specifically calculated; everything was done empirically, trying it on locally to the window.

Scheme for making homemade pleated blinds.

After that, we glued the skeleton strips to the resulting paper accordion on both sides and tied it all together with clamps. Then I drilled 3 holes through both strips and the paper accordion. Two at the edges with a diameter of 2 mm and one in the center with a diameter of 4 mm.

A thick nylon thread, more precisely 2 threads, was used as a lifting mechanism. Using a “gypsy” needle, each of these threads was inserted from below into the outer hole and brought back through the center.

Naturally, to prevent the threads from jumping out, stops in the form of wooden beads were tied at the ends. I divided the central hole on the bottom bar in half, driving a construction stapler bracket into the center. The cords ended up in different sectors.

Firmware inside pleated.

Immediately, so as not to accidentally tear our paper pleated later, I screwed a couple of hooks into the top bar and secured loops under them on the arch of the window opening. Same as in the roll version.

That's basically it. The design works something like this. When you pull both cords coming out in the center at the bottom, the bar rises evenly.

And to secure it, you just need to tie the cords together in a bow. The knot rests against the stapler bracket and stabilizes the system.

Wallpaper for making pleated curtains.

It goes without saying that the wooden planks should first be sanded well with sandpaper of different grits. After this, go through the stain and, of course, it is advisable to varnish it at least a couple of times.

And if you have been given the talent of artistic wood carving from above, then simple paper blinds from wallpaper can be easily and quickly turned into a true work of art.

Pleated for semicircular sash.

Using blinds on windows: photos of room interiors

Vertical and horizontal wooden blinds on windows are timeless classics. They are able to emphasize the good taste of the owners, giving the atmosphere sophistication, aristocracy, style and luxury. This type of blinds looks original in both business and home interior design. In the first case, such window design can enrich the room, make it more respectable, while reducing the level of operating stress.

Wooden blinds look great in rooms of different styles

In a home interior, such blinds will be an expressive element that will emphasize the unity of the overall atmosphere with nature, as demonstrated by photos of wooden horizontal blinds. Thanks to the specific structure of the wood and the lighting characteristics, such structures have a calming effect.

This option of blinds is best suited for such stylistic trends as modern, classic, minimalism, country, Provence, eco. They can be combined with various options for curtains and drapes, which will give the atmosphere additional coziness and comfort.

Wooden blinds are organically combined with massive furniture made from solid wood, which is typical for classic interiors. The special natural flavor of the Provence style can be emphasized with the help of a design decorated with a floral print, as shown in the photo of wooden blinds for the balcony door and window. In eco-style, wooden blinds made of white wood will look non-trivial, which can be complemented by photo printing using natural themes. The same option is appropriate to use in a room decorated in light colors.

Wooden blinds and shutters will become a spectacular detail in any room

Elegant natural decoration for a window opening

Wooden blinds can be combined with any curtain option. They can create a natural backdrop for beautiful drapes without being noticeable, or act as an accent window decoration in combination with a light sheer curtain, as shown in the photo of wooden window shutters. Curtains made from natural fibers with coarse weaving are in perfect harmony with wood. Linen or cotton fabrics with exquisite patterns look original and non-trivial.

Helpful advice! You can make your own unique wooden blinds by painting them with different colors, or create a structure from slats of different shades, which will give you the opportunity to get an interesting optical effect.

The best fit for the Japanese style is brown or beige vertical blinds, which are attached to the ceiling, occupying the entire height of the wall. Lightweight woven Roman bamboo blinds on the windows, which let in the maximum amount of sunlight, will highlight the laconicism of minimalism.

It is appropriate to complement wooden blinds with beautiful curtains or curtains

Vertical blinds with wooden slats are ideal for rooms decorated in oriental, country or ethnic style. Such designs are able to emphasize the originality of the directions, introducing a touch of mysterious exoticism into the interior. However, it should be remembered that vertical blinds should not be used for small rooms, since such a massive structure will look too bulky. Wooden roller blinds would be more appropriate in this case.

Where to fix the blinds

• If your window is located deep in the opening, the block can be mounted flush against the wall using bolts and dowels with drilling (the method is suitable for both horizontal and vertical models). In this case, there should be enough space left to open the doors.

• If the window does not have an opening, the most convenient way is to install horizontal blinds above the window frame using a drop-down bracket. Leave enough space for the window to open.

• Another way to attach blinds is to directly install them on each window sash. It is possible to attach horizontal blinds to an opening window sash without drilling using double-sided tape.

Before hanging the blinds, please note: manufacturers provide a guarantee for blocks with a width of 22 cm to 220 cm and a height of up to 250 cm. A smaller width does not make sense, and for a larger one it is recommended to use two independent blocks. Blinds for large plastic windows are also available for sale, but they are attached without a guarantee for the functionality of the structure.

Installing blinds on plastic windows to the wall or ceiling

Installation of blinds on windows can be carried out by internal mounting to the window frame, external mounting to the wall outside the window or above the window on the ceiling. The choice of installation position depends on the design concept and wall structure. The blinds should be held against the window to check the correct placement of the product and its ability to fit. For internal installation, the size of the lamellas must match the dimensions of the inside of the window opening. The bracket must be mounted at the top of the window.

When installed externally, the slats will overlap the window frame. In this case, the brackets are installed above the frame on the wall. Ceiling installation involves placing blinds overlapping relative to the window frame. The mounting mechanism will be located on the ceiling above the window.

Instructions for installing wooden blinds on windows

Important! The horizontal position of the slats is checked using a building level.

Before installing blinds on the windows, you need to mark the fastenings. To do this, the top rail is applied to the window in the position in which installation will be carried out. Using a pencil, marks are made at a distance of 4-6 mm from the ends of the rail. These marks will be used to align the brackets when installing the blinds. To perform internal installation, the rail is held level with the wall in the inner part of the window slope or moved close to it.

Related article:

Blinds for the kitchen: a stylish decorative element in a modern interior

Recommendations for choosing curtains. Varieties of blinds for the kitchen, depending on the design and material of manufacture. Features of each type.

To attach the brackets, you must select the right anchors, which is determined by the wall material. For drywall and plaster walls, it is better to use drywall fasteners. Masonry anchors are suitable for concrete and brick walls. To install the anchor, holes of the appropriate diameter are made in the wall.

Important! For heavy, massive wooden blinds, it is worth using anchors or brackets that can support a significant load.

The size of the blinds slats must correspond to the inside of the window

The next step is to install the side mounting brackets. They are presented in the form of cube-shaped elements with one open side. On the other side there is a hinged or sliding door. The elements are applied to the completed marks. They should be positioned with the doors facing themselves so that the open side faces the inside of the window. Using a screwdriver, remove the bracket cover and fasten it with a screw.

How to hang blinds on windows: the final stages of the installation process

Next, the support bracket is installed, which is mandatory for wide blinds. It is mounted in the central part of the window in line with the side elements. Then the top rail is inserted into the brackets and should snap into place. There are models where the rail is suspended on brackets. To make installation easier, the blinds should be in the closed position.

The next step is to lay out the bracket flaps. The installation sequence is determined by the instructions for a specific brand of blinds. Next, you need to install a valance (decorative trim) to hide the brackets. This element can be magnetic: you just need to attach it to the rail. Another option is fixed by snapping on both sides.

If the structure is equipped with a cane for adjusting the position of the lamellas, it is installed on a hooking mechanism with a hook covered by a coupling. You can also order window blinds equipped with lower clamping brackets that hold them in a stationary position when fully closed. This bracket is fixed in the lower right corner. The pin end of the element must be inserted into the lower lamella into the corresponding hole.

Most often, blinds are attached to the window frame using a bracket.

To eliminate the possibility of a child being suffocated by the cord, it is recommended to install a special bar under the cord to adjust the position of the slats. It is attached to the wall using complex screws.

Important! When installing the structure inside a window opening, it is necessary to take into account that the size of wooden blinds-doors should be 3-4 cm narrower than the opening. This allows you to fully open the window when the blinds are fully raised.

Blinds can be attached to the window frame using brackets with snaps or double-sided tape. The bracket is used for opening sashes, and the tape is used for the non-opening part of the window. However, it should be remembered that both options have limitations in the weight and size of the structure. When attaching wooden blinds to the ceiling, anchors are used that can withstand the heavy weight of the structure.

You need to know this in advance before installation!

To ensure that the blinds last a long time, try to install them carefully. If you understand the details in advance, the installation process will not take much time. The main thing is to take into account the models, installation method and take this into account during assembly. If you will be attaching window blinds directly to the wall, you need to make sure that its surface is perfectly flat.

Important point! When purchasing, be sure to check with your consultant whether all parts of the mounting set are included in the kit. There are situations when purchasing additional mounts is inevitable. It's better to take care of this in advance.

Blinds can be attached in one of four ways:

• to the ceiling;
• to Wall;
• inside the window opening;
• for each window division.

It doesn't matter which option you choose. It all depends on the individual preferences of the client. Installed on double-glazed windows of various shapes. But the method of fastening is selected individually. The sequence of steps is approximately the same, but there are some distinctive details.

Repairing blinds at home

Wooden blinds are expensive designs. Therefore, if there is a minor malfunction, it is not advisable to completely change them. You can carry out the repairs yourself or hire an experienced technician.

If the damage is minor, then it is more advisable to repair the blinds rather than buy new ones

Vertical blinds may have the following breakdowns: the structure may be damaged or completely broken in the cord that controls the mechanism for adjusting the position of the slats. The easiest way to fix the problem is to carefully stitch the cord at the break point. In case of complete replacement of the product, the cassette is opened and the cord is removed. If the lamella is damaged, it should be replaced with a new one.

Horizontal wooden shutter doors can also suffer from certain types of failures. As a result of replacing the cord, the horizontal position of the lower plates is sometimes disrupted. In this case, the device is adjusted to the desired position using a cord.

If the slats in wooden shutter doors stop moving, the reason lies in the guide cord jumping off the adjusting ring. It should be carefully installed in place. If used incorrectly, the cord may become unfastened. To restore its functionality, you need to pull it in different directions. If a more serious breakdown occurs with horizontal or vertical blinds, the repair should be entrusted to an experienced technician.

Important! The price of horizontal wooden blinds is slightly lower than the cost of vertical analogues.

In some cases, it is better to entrust the repair of blinds to a specialist

"Roman blinds" and vertical structures

The slats in “Roman blinds” are also located in a horizontal position. The only difference is in the method of fixing them - each narrow strip is rigidly attached to the cords using knots. Thus, if you pull the central cord, the slats will not rotate around their axis, but will go up, rolling up into a roll. Otherwise, the installation and installation scheme for the horizontal version and the “Roman blind” are similar.

Making a vertical version of wooden blinds at home is also quite simple. True, in this case, factory elements - a cornice with a rotating mechanism - will play a much larger role. In this case, you can make only vertical strips with your own hands, giving them the required size and appearance. After the slats are made, they are connected to the rotating mechanism of the cornice, with the help of which they are controlled. All that remains is to firmly strengthen the entire structure above the window using self-tapping screws or dowel-nails.

As you can see, creating wooden blinds with your own hands is not so difficult, especially if you have the opportunity to purchase the necessary factory-made structural elements. The main thing here is to have the necessary diligence and artistic taste, and you will be able to decorate your home with exclusive wooden blinds, created by yourself.

How to assemble blinds: important tips

• Before purchasing blinds, try to find out what exactly is included in the full price of the product. Many companies offer buyers to pay only for the window covering, and buyers have to pay separately for parts.
• When choosing blinds, pay attention to what material the product is made of. For the bathroom, choose a plastic sheet, as it is easier to clean and is not afraid of strong moisture. It is advisable to hang aluminum blinds in the kitchen. For other rooms, fabric or roller blinds are suitable.
• If during purchase you find any defect on the curtain, refuse the purchase and ask for it to be replaced.
• When installing, consider how the blinds open. Those canvases that open quite smoothly have a longer service life.
• New curtains, as a rule, have a special coating that protects the product. But it goes away over time if the blinds are thoroughly cleaned. Treat your curtains with care, then they will look presentable for a long time.
• Try to use blinds carefully. When you open and close vertical curtains, do not pull the cord sharply. After this, the product may simply break.

It is important to hang it correctly and use it carefully
. You can install blinds yourself, using available tools. It is not always necessary to call a special technician to your home. The most important thing here is to follow the general tips and use the right equipment. But, if you are afraid that you may damage the canvas during installation, then entrust this work to a professional specialist.