Wooden vs Aluminium Venetian Blinds

Wooden vs Aluminium Venetian Blinds

Should you choose wooden Venetian blinds or aluminium Venetian blinds for your home? Venetian blinds are a classic design for your property, but the material they’re made from can determine whether or not they perform well. Some older Venetian blinds can feel like they’re stuck in the past. You might not get a design that deals well with solar gain or heat retention, and it could cost more than it should too.

Wooden Venetian blinds might have a timeless look, but they can feel rather dated these days. Blinds like these can struggle after a few years, as wood isn’t that durable of a material. And, once the blinds begin to wear down, your living space could be more susceptible to glare and cold temperatures, and it could even help intruders target your home.

As a result, aluminium Venetian blinds are becoming more and more popular. With precious metal inside and innovative design techniques, your new blinds could last for decades, reduce glare, improve your insulation and cost up to a third less than wooden Venetian blinds. And, with A1 Blinds, homes in the North East can get these blinds made-to-measure at competitive prices.

Wooden vs Aluminium Venetian Blinds: Durability

When you install Venetian blinds, you want to make sure they last. However, when you decide to go with wooden blinds, they may lead to you needing to get new ones more quickly. Unfortunately, wood doesn’t do well with intense lighting. Harmful UV rays and glare can cause the timber in the blinds to stain, discolour and even weaken.

But aluminium Venetian blinds don’t struggle in any conditions. As a material, aluminium is highly durable, meaning it can perform for decades without wearing down in any way. Aluminium Venetian blinds are a versatile, adaptable design for your home as well. Wooden Venetian blinds suit classic homes, but aluminium Venetian blinds can perform all across your home, as well as in commercial buildings like shops, restaurants, and offices.

At A1 Blinds, we’ve also worked to make our aluminium Venetian blinds a market-leading design. We use a powder-coated aluminium finish, meaning even more strength than a standard design. Not only does that mean your new blinds will perform well for years to come, but you can also style them with total confidence. Bold colours won’t lose their shine for decades, and they won’t discolour on even the brightest days.

wooden vs aluminium venetian blinds

Wooden vs Aluminium Venetian Blinds: Efficiency

Another benefit of aluminium Venetian blinds is that they act as a durable layer of insulation. When you pull blinds down over your windows, doors or other glazed installations, you can reduce the heat transfer through the glass. Because of this, you could stop warm air from inside your home from escaping, and you can prevent cold air from coming in and replacing it.

While wooden Venetian blinds are solid and sturdy, meaning they’re quite good insulators, they can’t do it for very long. Eventually, once the wood inside the designs fades, you could see dents and cracks emerge, allowing heat to transfer through windows and doors anyway. Aluminium Venetian blinds, though, keep their shape and their insulation, meaning they can keep your home warm for plenty of years to come.

Additionally, A1’s aluminium Venetian blinds could cool your home. On hot summer days, when the sun is bearing down on you, glare and heat can come off the glazing, making your home feel uncomfortable. Aluminium can reflect heat, meaning your blinds will be able to cool your home in the summer. As a result, you’ll get comfort that lasts all year round with these designs.

aluminium venetian blinds

Wooden vs Aluminium Venetian Blinds: Cost

Wooden Venetian blinds have a timeless, authentic quality. However, adding that design to your home can be costly. Not only that, wooden Venetian blinds don’t offer a lot of insulation over time, meaning you could have to pay higher energy costs too. As a result, investing in these classic designs can stop you from making your home more cost-effective and more sustainable.

Aluminium Venetian blinds are a modern design built for modern-day homes. Aluminium is a sustainable, recyclable material, and these blinds improve your home’s energy usage. However, you won’t have to pay more money to save money too. Aluminium Venetian blinds can cost close to a third less than wooden Venetian blinds in many cases. Aluminium Venetian blinds, then, are almost a no-brainer!

And, with A1, installing aluminium Venetian blinds has never been as simple or straightforward. You can get expertly measured, perfectly designed and professionally installed blinds from a local company you can trust with us. With 35 years of experience, A1 knows what to do to enhance your home. Book a free consultation with us today to find out more!

Aluminium Venetian Blinds Prices

Discover our range of aluminium Venetian blinds – and our competitive prices – for your home today!

You can book a free design consultation with our friendly team to find out which blinds are right for you from our experts.

Case Study: Bradley Hall Head Office

Case Study: Bradley Hall Head Office

Custom Branded Roller Blinds for Bradley Hall’s Grey Street HQ

Client: Bradley Hall
Location: Grey Street, Newcastle upon Tyne
Sector: Commercial Property
Scope: Custom Branded and Non-Branded Roller Blinds Across Two Floors
Project Status: Delivered to Spec, On Time, Within 2 Weeks

The Project

We were commissioned to design and install a combination of branded and non-branded roller blinds for Bradley Hall’s stunning new head office on Newcastle’s iconic Grey Street. The blinds not only enhance the aesthetic of the new space, but also provide practical year-round comfort.


What the Client Needed

As the building is listed, Bradley Hall were unable to use external signage to display their brand identity. They needed an interior solution that would subtly represent their brand in a stylish, professional way, while still providing effective solar shading and heat retention.


The Challenge

  • No external signage permitted due to the heritage status of the building.
  • No parking for unloading equipment.
  • 4-metre-high windows requiring specialist ladder access.
  • Narrow spiral staircases, making it difficult to manoeuvre materials without damaging freshly decorated walls and doors.

The client also required a rapid turnaround ahead of moving into their new space.


How We Overcame It

Our team designed and manufactured a blend of branded and non-branded roller blinds, ensuring a cohesive look across two floors. The installation required exceptional care and expertise to work safely within the constraints of a heritage building.

Despite the logistical hurdles, we delivered the entire project from initial enquiry to completion in under 2 weeks, meeting Bradley Hall’s deadlines without compromising on quality.


The Result

The finished installation delivered:

  • Stylish integration of Bradley Hall’s branding into the new office.
  • Effective shading and thermal control for year-round comfort.
  • Seamless delivery within a limited timeframe.
  • A high-quality installation, despite the challenges of restricted access and building constraints.

Client Feedback

“Huge thanks to you and the team Kevin! Fantastic service from start to finish, quick turnaround and quality product and installation. They look great!”

– Sharon Boyd, Chief Operating Officer, Bradley Hall North East / Yorkshire


The Bigger Picture

This project demonstrates our ability to combine branding, design, and practicality, even in heritage or conservation-area buildings where signage is restricted. It also underlines our expertise in overcoming complex site challenges and delivering under tight time pressures.

Perfect Fit® Shutter Lite – The Smarter Way to Add Style to Your Windows

Perfect Fit® Shutter Lite – The Smarter Way to Add Style to Your Windows

When it comes to window style, shutters are always a favourite – but traditional plantation shutters can be pricey, time-consuming, and invasive to install. That’s where our new Perfect Fit® Shutter Lite comes in.

Exclusively from A1 Blinds, this innovative system gives you the clean lines and light control of classic shutters – without the complications.


Why Customers Are Choosing Shutter Lite

  • Great Style, Great Value
    Perfect Fit® Shutter Lite offers an accessible alternative to traditional shutters – ideal for modern homes looking for elegant simplicity.
  • Quick & Simple Fitting
    No drilling. No mess. These shutters click neatly into place using a Perfect Fit® frame – meaning less disruption and more convenience.
  • Works With Doors and Tilt & Turn Windows
    The shutter moves with your window or door – making it perfect for inward-opening frames, patio doors, and even French doors.

🌞 Let the Light In – and Keep the View

Thanks to its minimal framework and slim louvres, Perfect Fit® Shutter Lite lets in plenty of natural light while maintaining excellent privacy. The clever design also gives you a clearer view to the outside than bulkier shutter systems.


❄️🔥 Comfort All Year Round

Perfect Fit® Shutter Lite does more than just look good. These shutters help create a more comfortable indoor environment by:

  • Reducing heat loss in winter
  • Blocking direct sunlight in summer
  • Helping improve energy efficiency throughout the home

By regulating room temperature, they can even contribute to more consistent energy use over time.


💷 Style That Elevates Your Home

Shutters are known to enhance both kerb appeal and interior finish. Shutter Lite can:

  • Add a high-end look to any room
  • Signal quality and practicality to potential buyers
  • Enhance the overall presentation of your property

A stylish upgrade that makes a lasting impression – especially when fitted professionally by A1 Blinds.


🧼 Practical, Waterproof & Wipe-Clean

Built for everyday living, these shutters are:

  • Easy to remove for cleaning or decorating
  • Wipe-clean and waterproof
  • Perfect for kitchens, bathrooms, and busy family homes

No caulking. No damage. Just a smart, practical solution that fits effortlessly into your lifestyle.


Made in the UK

We’re proud to offer a product that’s:

  • Made in the UK
  • Fitted by our trusted A1 Blinds installation team

📞 Upgrade Your Windows Today

Stylish. Practical. Versatile.

Perfect Fit® Shutter Lite proves you don’t need to compromise on looks, light, or lifestyle.

Contact A1 Blinds today to find out more and book your free home consultation.

Case Study: Newcastle Airport Control Tower

Case Study: Newcastle Airport Control Tower

40 Custom Tension Pleated Blinds for Newcastle Airport Control Tower

Client: Newcastle International Airport
Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
Sector: Aviation – Air Traffic Control
Scope: 40 Bespoke Tension Pleated Blinds
Project Status: Delivered to Spec, On Time

The Project

We were commissioned to design and install 40 custom tension pleated blinds for Newcastle International Airport’s Air Traffic Control Tower. This wasn’t a straightforward job – the tower’s unique architecture and operational restrictions made it one of the most complex installations we’ve ever delivered.


What the Client Needed

The brief was simple but critical: shading and light control in an environment where visibility is paramount. The blinds needed to perform flawlessly to reduce glare, enhance comfort, and maintain clear sightlines for air traffic controllers at all times.


The Challenge

The tower’s design created a unique technical challenge: the windows are narrower at the top than the bottom. This meant the blinds had to operate in reverse, raising issues with tension and stability. Getting them to stay in place was no small feat.


How We Overcame It

Our team engineered a bespoke solution using:

  • Maximum tension throughout each blind system
  • Reinforced top bars for durability
  • Discreet magnetic strips to keep blinds secure

We worked closely with the client throughout, being completely transparent about the technical hurdles. To build confidence, we produced working samples that were tested and signed off before full manufacture began.


Working in a Live Air Traffic Control Tower

This wasn’t just a technical project – it was also about precision planning. Working in one of the UK’s busiest control towers meant strict security measures:

  • All staff were vetted and security checked
  • Passports had to be presented at each entry
  • Access was tightly restricted and visits limited

To meet these requirements, we planned every step of the installation around an agreed programme of works, ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and minimal disruption to airport operations.


The Result

The new blinds have transformed the tower environment, delivering:

✅ Glare reduction
✅ Improved visibility for controllers
✅ Greater comfort in a high-pressure workplace

The client praised not only the quality of the finished product but also our communication, professionalism, and how smoothly the installation was managed.


The Bigger Picture

This project highlights our ability to deliver bespoke blind solutions for even the most complex environments. From innovative design to meticulous project management, we can adapt to buildings where standard systems simply won’t work.


Ready for the Next One

If you’ve got a project that demands a tailored shading solution – whether it’s an airport, a commercial office, or a uniquely shaped building – we’ve got the expertise to deliver.

Get in touch with our team today to discuss how we can design, manufacture, and install blinds that meet your exact requirements.

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