When looking for window coverings, you will find a wide range of styles and materials to choose from. Many people can find all these choices confusing and end up just getting whatever does the job. This is a shame, because taking the time to find the perfect covering can make such a huge difference to the look of your home. One decision that needs to be made is whether to go with material or plastic blinds, or get something more natural. If you have decided to go the natural route, there are two main choices that are available to you; Bamboo or wood. I'd like to discuss with you the difference between these two materials when it comes to blinds in your home.

Having your windows covered in a natural material creates an incredible impact in your home. The warmth of these materials can make your house much more comfortable, and is quite often a talking point when guests come over. If you have gardens outside your home, having wood or bamboo blinds on your windows can be a great way of extending that feeling of nature in through your windows, and provides a calming effect that cannot be reproduced with material or plastics.

Bamboo Window Blinds

Bamboo has been used in a huge number of ways for literally thousands of years. This lightweight material is incredibly versatile, while at the same time being long lasting and strong. Bamboo originated in Asian countries like Japan and China, and they have been using the material for everything from musical instruments to building whole houses, to great effect. Nowadays, there are hundreds of different breeds of bamboo out there to choose from, and they all have unique characteristics and properties. One of the great things about bamboo is how environmentally friendly it is. The bamboo plant is incredibly fast growing, and can be replenished very quickly after being harvested. This also makes the material extremely cheap, as growers get a quicker return on their investment. Even if the bamboo ends up being thrown away, it is completely biodegradable, making it one of the most eco friendly options available.

As far as blinds are concerned, there are many different ways that you can utilise this material Everything from roman blinds to vertical shades can be created using bamboo, and they can be used in their original tube form, or flattened to create a more uniform look. You can even get bamboo that is woven together for your blinds. Even if you are not after a natural look for your windows, you can still utilise the properties of bamboo blinds and paint them to match your style and decor.

Wooden Window Blinds

Wood, on the other hand, is going to give you a warmth inside your home that just can't be beat. The grains that you can get in wood make each slat unique, meaning that no two blinds are exactly the same. There are two main downsides to wood. The first is the expense. Wooden blinds are no doubt the most expensive option out there, and although the price is worth it, some of us that are currently feeling the pinch of a recession may find it difficult to justify the expense when there are cheaper options available to you. The other downside is that wood is more susceptible to moisture and damp. If you have a room that tends to get very damp during the wet seasons, then you may be better off going with something that is not going to warp and buckle because of the moisture.

All in all, it really comes down to personal preference. I personally much prefer the look of wood on my windows, but I realise that the expense is just too much for many of you. Bamboo can make a great alternative, as it is much cheaper, and if you have a lot of windows to cover, that's a big deciding factor. As our planet goes through drastic environmental changes, many of us are paying more and more attention to how our actions affect it. From an ecological standpoint, bamboo is the better option, as it is more renewable material, and does not contribute to forests being cut down.