Wondering if faux wood blinds are a practical solution for French doors? Yes, they are! Read on to discover how faux wood blinds improve the curb appeal and functionality of French doors. Faux wood blinds are a cheaper and better moisture-resistant alternative to real wood blinds. Also called composite, fake wood, or manufactured wood blinds, these window treatments create the look and feel of true wood.
What is a French Door?
The American Heritage Dictionary defines a French door as “A door, usually one of a pair, of light construction with glass panes extending for most of its length.” A French door is often called a French window. In other words, some windows are made of a pair of French doors. You can find such windows in kitchens, bathrooms, and living rooms.
How Faux Wood Blinds Are a Practical Solution for French Doors
Manufactured or faux wood blinds are considered a practical solution for French doors for several reasons, such as durability, low maintenance, humidity resistance, ease of cleaning, and affordability.
- A Classic and Timeless Look: As faux wood blinds are made of synthetic materials that mimic the look, feel, and texture of natural wood, they can give your French doors a classic and timeless appearance. You can achieve warmth and a beautiful appearance without the high maintenance and cost associated with real wood.
- Durability: Fake wood blinds are highly durable window treatments. Also, they are resistant to moisture and humidity, which makes them an ideal choice for use in areas with high humidity, such as kitchens and bathrooms. Also, they are less likely to warp, fade, or crack in sunlight, which means they are long-lasting window treatments for French doors.
- Easy to Clean and Maintain: Fake wood blinds are easy to clean and maintain. You can wipe them down with a damp cloth or dust their horizontal or vertical slats with a soft brush or vacuum cleaner attachment. Ease of cleaning and maintenance makes faux wood blinds a convenient choice for busy households or commercial settings.
- Customizability: Window blinds made of vinyl, PVC, composite, or foam wood are fully customizable and can be tailored to fit the exact size and shape of your French doors. These custom options will ensure a perfect fit and a seamless look. Also, manufactured wood window blinds are available in a wide range of colors and finishes, so you can easily find a style that complements your home’s interior decor.
- Affordability: Synthetic wood blinds are more cost-effective than real wood window treatments. This makes them an economical choice for homeowners or businesses.
- Durability: Faux wood blinds for French doors are highly durable and resistant to moisture, humidity, and sunlight, which means they are less likely to warp, crack or fade over time.
- Energy Efficiency: Faux wood blinds for French doors can help to insulate your home or business, thereby reducing your energy bills and keeping your space cozy and comfortable. However, the insulation potential of manufactured wood blinds is less than that of cellular or honeycomb shades.
- Privacy and Light Control: Faux wood blinds offer excellent privacy and light control for French doors in your room. You can raise, lower, or adjust their slats to adjust the amount of natural light that sails into your room. Similarly, you can keep the prying eyes away as per your requirements.
- Child and Pet-Safe: Artificial wood blinds are a safer option for homes with young children or pets, as they do not have any sharp edges or cords that could pose a choking or entanglement hazard.
- Easy to Install: Synthetic wood blinds can be easily installed on French doors.
Overall, faux wood blinds offer a practical and stylish choice for French doors, offering the beauty and warmth of real wood with the added benefits of durability, moisture resistance, convenience, and affordability.
How to Install Faux Wood Blinds on French Doors
Installing faux wood blinds on French doors may seem a difficult job, but with the right tools and some basic DIY skills, you can complete the task quickly and conveniently.
- Measure Your French Door Frame: Measure the width and height (w x h) of your French door frame and record the measurements. Make sure to take measurements at three different points to ensure accuracy for a perfect fit.
- Gather your Tools: You’ll need screws, a screwdriver, a drill, a level, a pencil, a steel tape measure, and mounting brackets to fix faux wood blinds on the frames of French doors.
- Install Mounting Brackets: Attach the mounting brackets to the inside of each window frame, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Use a level tool to ensure the mounting brackets are straight and even.
- Hang the Blinds: Hang the blinds onto the mounting brackets you have just installed. Ensure that they are properly fixed.
- Test the Blinds: Test your faux wood blinds to make sure they operate (raise, lower, and adjust) smoothly and evenly. Adjust the slats as needed to ensure they fit properly and look straight.
Safety Options for Pets and Children
Faux wood blinds for French doors come with advanced safety features for children and pets. The best safety option is to install a cordless lift system in place of a cord or wand. Different cordless lift systems, such as top-down, bottom-up, motorized, and smart-home-controlled eliminate the risk of choking for young children and pets in your home.
Some Disadvantages of Faux Wood Blinds for French Doors
While there are many advantages of faux wood blinds for French doors, they do have some disadvantages.
- Lack of Natural Appeal: Faux wood blinds for French doors do not have the same natural look and feel as real wood blinds. This can be a drawback for those homeowners looking for a more high-end look.
- Limited Material Choices: Faux wood blinds have a few material choices, such as composite wood, vinyl, or PVC material.
- Heavier: Faux wood blinds for French doors tend to be heavier than real wood window treatments, this extra weight can make them more difficult to operate. However, a motorized lift system can make it easier to raise, lower, or adjust your faux wood blinds.
Environmental Concerns: Faux wood blinds for bay windows are made from artificial materials, which may not be as environmentally friendly as natural wood blinds.