When
asked to name materials used for window treatments, which ones come
to mind? Many people first think of various fabrics, vinyl, and
perhaps wood. But there's another window treatment material that
deserves your consideration: bamboo.
Window
treatments made from bamboo may seem like an odd notion if you have
only ever seen bamboo grown as small stalks in someone's home.
However, larger species of bamboo are easily harvested and used to
make an array of blinds and shades.
Here
are five reasons bamboo window treatments may be a smart choice for
your home.
1.
Bamboo Is Good for the Planet
Now,
more than ever, many people want to preserve the planet and help
fight climate change. Choosing more natural, earth-friendly
materials, like bamboo, is one way to contribute.
Bamboo
is essentially a grass. It grows very quickly, so once it is
harvested, it can be re-planted and ready to harvest again within
just a few years. As the bamboo grows, it absorbs large amounts of
CO2, a greenhouse gas, from the atmosphere.
At
the same time, the bamboo releases healthy oxygen. Bamboo is a very
hardy plant and can be grown without the pesticides, fertilizers, and
other chemicals needed for many other crops.
2.
Bamboo Is Very Sturdy
Window
treatments get a lot of use and abuse. In addition to regular opening
and closing, they need to stand up to the occasional cat climbing
them or a child pulling on them.
Bamboo
has amazing strength — comparable to that of steel. In Asian
countries, it has been used to build suspension bridges and
scaffolding. If it's strong enough to be used in construction, it's
strong enough to make durable, long-lasting blinds.
3.
Bamboo Is Affordable
There
are plenty of beautiful wooden blinds and shades on the market.
However, these window treatments can be expensive. Growing,
harvesting, and finishing the exotic hardwoods used to make them is
costly and time-consuming, and those costs get passed to the
consumer.
Bamboo
is comparably much cheaper to grow, harvest, and finish, and as such
bamboo window treatments are more affordable — but with a similar
natural look to wooden window treatments.
4.
Bamboo Window Treatments Come in Multiple Shades and Textures
Different
species of bamboo are somewhat different colors. You can find bamboo
that's tan, light cream, reddish brown, deep mahogany, or most any
shade in between. This variation makes it easy to coordinate bamboo
window treatments with your existing decor.
Choose
dark blinds to match the dark-colored wooden furniture in your room,
or go with light blinds to contrast your dark hardwood floor.
Bamboo
shades also come in a variety of textures. Highly textured shades,
made from woven strips of bamboo, help create a cozy, cottage-like
look. Smooth bamboo blinds are better-suited to a modern home with
sleek decor.
5.
Bamboo Brings the Outdoors Inside
Studies
show
that people are happier when surrounded by nature and natural
elements. Synthetic materials like plastic have become more popular
in home decor, but decorating with more natural materials, like
bamboo, could help you feel more relaxed and connected with nature
when inside your home.
Windows
are essentially a bridge between the interior of your home and the
great outdoors. When you decorate them with natural materials, like
bamboo, you bring some of the outdoors inside, strengthening that
bridge.
If
you are thinking of replacing your home's window treatments, make
sure you consider bamboo blinds or shades. Bamboo is a smart choice
for the planet and for your decor. Explore the selection of bamboo
shades through Sylvan's
& Philip's Drapes & Blinds
,
and get ready to transform your home's look.
