The Best Water Resistant Blinds for Your Home

Let’s face it, some rooms are just more humid than others — your kitchen, bathroom, and laundry room namely. All of those can kick out a lot of water, and therefore, a lot of humidity. Your window treatments will need to be able to handle the job! That means you need the best water resistant blinds on the market for your home. 

Here are some of the best choices for these more humid rooms!

Faux Wood Blinds and Shutters

Blinds and shutters are a popular choice for window treatments throughout a home, so what if we told you that you could have them all throughout your home, including in high humidity rooms? It’s true — faux wood blinds and faux wood (also called composite) shutters are made for rooms like bathrooms and kitchens. The best part? Your guests won’t be able to tell the difference between your real wood blinds and shutters and the faux ones. 

Cleaning and mold prevention for these two options is a breeze too. Just use a mild cleaner, soap, or polish and a soft rag – steer clear of abrasive cleaners that might damage the finish and/or paint. After wiping each slat down make sure you dry it with a clean cloth. 

Roller and Solar Shades

Believe it or not, roller and solar shades are also moisture resistant, which makes them a decent option if faux wood isn’t for you. Roller shades can be made from materials like vinyl or PVC, both of which don’t hold on to moisture like traditional fabric shades, decreasing the risk of mold, mildew, or stains.

Roller shades also come in a huge variety of styles, textures, patterns, prints, and colors, so there is a style out there for everyone. You can also layer them with valences or drapery (made from water-resistant materials) to really complete the look as well! 

If you’re worried about privacy, most shades can be installed with a blackout liner as well. This liner will block all light and keep your room 100% private when the shade is closed! 

Woven Wood Shades

Woven wood shades are perfect for kitchens, as there isn’t too much humidity, but it’s still a high-traffic room that you want to exude style. Woven wood shades are made from natural materials like grass, bamboo, reeds, and have the same richness of wood. 

While most wood blinds can be damaged and warp in the high heat and humidity, woven bamboo, grass, or reeds, have more give and are able to shift.

Make sure your woven wood is properly treated to prevent mold, though, before you choose them for your bathroom. Natural materials often create the perfect environment for mold and mildew if they’re not properly cleaned and treated! 

Window Treatments that ARE NOT Water Resistant

A few window treatments should be avoided entirely if you want to find water resistant options. Keep these in mind for other areas of your home, but not for kitchens, bathrooms, or laundry rooms. 

Avoid Real Woods

Real wood shutters and blinds should absolutely not be in any rooms with moisture. While they are treated and made to last, wood and water do not mix. Wood is extremely absorbent, meaning it will take in some humidity no matter what. This humidity will eventually warp the wood and can lead to heavy damage. 

Mold is also a huge problem with real wood. Once mold starts growing, it is nearly impossible to get it out, as it’s likely deep in the grain. 

Once either of these things happen — warping or mold — you’ll need to replace your blinds or shutters, which is extremely costly and inefficient. 

Avoid Fabrics

Avoid fabric drapes, curtains and valances, and shades as well. Whether they’re cotton, silk, or polyester, those fabrics will soak up the moisture like a sponge, and they will take forever to dry, if they ever do. As you can guess, this will create a breeding ground of mold and bacteria, as well as retain bad smells.  

If you do want to use drapery, curtains, or valances, we recommend vinyl (especially for outdoors!). 

So avoid fabrics, avoid the real woods, and stick with faux wood or metal blinds and shutters and roller or solar shades made from vinyls and PVCs. Those are the best water resistant window treatments out there!

Ready to find out which window solution is right for you? Give us a call and the Rentschlers will be with you in no time to give you a free in-home estimate and consultation. Together you can decide the best way to treat your windows for your home.