Aluminum vs. wooden outdoor blinds: aluminum is more durable, while wood feels warmer

Most outdoor blinds on the market are made of aluminum, although occasionally you will encounter wooden blinds. When to choose which, how do they differ, and what about their maintenance?

Wooden blinds are more suited for interiors, where they do not have to face rain or temperature fluctuations. The offer of outdoor wooden blinds is therefore very limited. However, there are cases when they can be useful.

Aluminum slats: they won't fade, they are strong and durable

Aluminum slats are especially distinguished by their durability, color fastness, and strength. They are produced in several shapes, with the most popular types being Z and S, which fit tightly together when closed and provide excellent shading.

A Czech manufacturer of blinds, NEVA, specializes in durable outdoor blinds made of aluminum. They even guarantee their customers that their blinds will withstand demanding climatic conditions. Therefore, their products can be found in hot Israel, Australia, windy Netherlands, and freezing Norway.

Aluminum blinds

• resist wind and rain well,
• do not fade even after several years,
• let in only minimal light to the interior,
• and to a certain extent function as thermal and sound insulation.

The properties of aluminum blinds also depend on the surface treatment of the slats. "For example, we manufacture blinds from top-quality Swiss aluminum. It is treated with a top coat of polyurethane and polyamide, which creates a beautiful structure and additionally strengthens the material," says Miroslav Sedláček, head of construction at NEVA.

In addition, aluminum blinds have the advantage that you do not need to care for them at all. The slats do not rust, rot, or deteriorate, are color fast, and durable. It is enough just to clean them occasionally.

A family house in Israel with NEVA blinds. Light slats are practical in the heat as they reflect sunlight well.

Wooden slats: match with natural buildings and materials

Architects choose wooden outdoor blinds for their gentle, warm, and natural appearance. They perfectly complement, for example, all-wood constructions and are most commonly made

• from Canadian lime,
• Siberian pine,
• or Lebanese cedar.

However, their disadvantage is the limited range of slats, as wood cannot be bent as well as aluminum. Customers must make do with shape C or a flat variant.

"You cannot make slats in types Z and S from wood, and you have to clean and treat them more often with varnishes that protect the wood from fading, cracks, or breaks," explains Miroslav Sedláček from NEVA.

Wood, as a natural material, works and requires regular care. The slats must be treated with special varnishes that contain an impregnating component and UV lacquer. With them, the wood retains its original shade and is more resistant to sunlight, wind, and moisture.

If care is neglected, the wood twists or dries out and loses its flexibility. Most manufacturers recommend varnishing at least once a year.

Outdoor wooden blinds require care.

The type of construction matters

You can also treat wooden blinds with a colored varnish, which will change the color of the slats while preserving the visible wood structure with knots. Designers appreciate this, as they do not crave the typical color of wood but want to maintain its warm and natural appearance. Wooden blinds are also chosen for shading all-wood pergolas and gazebos.

Aluminum blinds are favored for modern houses. Architects design them for buildings where natural elements dominate, such as stone or wooden cladding. The colors of the slats are chosen to match the facade and be in harmony with the surrounding environment. "People choose aluminum blinds primarily for their appearance, low maintenance, and durability, thanks to which shading lasts for more than ten years without any service," adds Miroslav Sedláček from NEVA.