Don’t, because this is a synthetic product, put too much faith in it. The slats can, depending on colour (the darker the more probable), often under extreme conditions warp quite substantially. What makes this product so popular and easier to handle than true wood is that they can be cleaned off with a wet cloth and are more robust. One feels safer with them in a way. They will probably also not fade as easily and soon as true wood.

They are about 35% heavier than wood blinds. Another suitable replacement for wood in wet areas is the new laminated wood product which is also more robust. Are my wood or bamboo blinds flawed when they have markings on them? As wood and bamboo are natural products they are subject to imperfections, irregularities, bowing, warping and colour variation inherent in the products. These are not considered flaws but are part of the natural effect of the product.

Blinds are designed and intended for décor and sun & light control. Vertical and roller blinds are obviously not as thick and dense as curtains. You will be able to discern shapes from the outside when a light is turned on inside by standing almost right up against the window. There are however block-out blinds for privacy.

When Venetian blind blades are closed it is possible to see through the blind by looking upwards between the closed blades when standing up against the window. This is particularly apparent in blinds with long drops or blinds mounted high off ground level. Be aware that wood Venetian blinds do not close as snugly as the aluminium blind. The block-out bamboo is also not a total block-out. Cracks of light will appear in the material and this cannot be avoided.

Even if vertical blinds are block-outs there will always be light filtering through the individual slats as it is not a solid curtain and light will also be seen between wall and blind along the edges. On a roller and roman blind the gap between wall and blind edge will also allow light to seep through.

The blind must be guided up to prevent the fabric from rolling up skew, especially when the width is narrower than what the drop is long. If you do not guide the blind as it goes up, the fabric will touch the brackets and the edges may fray. Should this happen trim carefully with a sharp pair of scissors. One could also use a clear lacquer to spray the edges which should prevent further fraying.

Blinds will grow mildew if they get damp/wet and are not dried promptly or rolled up while still damp. At the coast it is important to ventilate rooms regularly where bamboo blinds have been installed as humidity builds up highly in houses closed for long periods of time.

Like all fabrics, blinds fabric will with time also show signs of fading. Dark, bright colours fade faster than light, pale colours. Even bamboo and wood will change colour over time as these are natural products, however well they are treated against the damaging effects of the sun.

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