Replies

1. 
   SteveSchoene | Jun 24, 2009 09:43pm | #1

   Doesn't look like anyone has done this.  I haven't and I've never seen plans that I can recall.  Must be do-able, since these are 18th c. technology.  I think the problem would be specialized hardware for the self-locking/unlocking  mechanism. 

   By the way, $650 seems a bit pricey for three windows.  You might want to shop around a bit more. 

1. 
   Soetermans | Jun 25, 2009 01:03am | #2

   That's why I ask the question.  The windows are 43" x 75" so they are pretty big.  The blinds are real wood and the slats are two (2) inches wide.  This $650.00 price tag comes from BLowe's.  Home Cheapo is not much better.  Even going to the faux wood didn't help much.  Still want $380.00 for that.

   My wife and I looked up some info on roman shades and they are something she and I could team up and make.  The locking mechanism for raising and lowering the blind / shade cost about $5.00.  My bigger concern is the "ladder" cord that holds the slats and the slats themselves; wood that thin is bound to warp.  It would be tough to find straight grained oak that would not cause problems once milled that thin.  And if I dry the lumber myself, to control the rate, then I'm looking at a few years before I could hang anything.

1. 
   AlanWS | Jun 25, 2009 01:59am | #3

   You may be able to stabilize thin slats so they don't warp by using an epoxy finish. This does not need to be a thick coating that looks like plastic, as the important part is what soaks in. Here's a link showing the behavior of shop-made plywood using epoxy: http://www.woodwork-magazine.com/index.php/archives/86I'm suggesting something similar, but only one ply. But I would stack the wet slats separated by waxed paper, and vacuum press them until hard.

2. 
   saschafer | Jun 25, 2009 04:20pm | #5

   Smith+Noble is generally a little cheaper, but the quote you got is in the right ballpark. The only way to get blinds that are a lot cheaper is to buy the off-the-shelf pre-made ones.

   As you mention, warpage is the main problem; even a very slight warp is painfully obvious in a blind slat. I have a couple of sets of wooden blinds from Smith+Noble, and looking at the wood (it's maple, I think), there doesn't seem to have been anything special done to it to avoid warping, yet the slats are still perfectly straight after a couple of years.

   -Steve

    

3. 
   Len | Jun 25, 2009 07:48pm | #7

   I was looking at my wood blinds on a window that's 8' long by 4-1/2' high. It has a ladder like string to control the blinds. I would think that would be the most difficult thing to make or locate.I bought that window and another 2' by 7' for $440. From a local business. It was the way to go. You might want to contact a local guy and see what they can do for you. BTW. I found this guy because he leaves cards on your doorstep. He was cheaper than HD or Lowes and they come and install. Just a suggestion.Len

   "You cannot antagonize and influence at the same time. " J. S. Knox

1. 
   Taigert | Jun 26, 2009 10:35am | #8

   I remember seeing a set of wooden blinds that didn't have string ladder . These were controled like a shutter. They had two or three vertical pcs of wood creating a spine to keep the slats aligned. The reason I remember these is from the way the slats were attached to the spine. They used a tiny eye hook on (or vice versa) spine hooked on what looked like some sort of a small staple in the side of the slat. The staple sat proud by about a 1/8". I looked at all those tiny eyehooks and staples, and thinking about how fun it would be putting them together.

   Taigert

4. 
   oldusty | Jun 26, 2009 05:32pm | #9

      Soetermans ,

           First off the price if it is a quality brand name product not an off brand while not low , is not high or out of the normal scope depending on whether that was installed.

     Bass wood is used on the majority of real wood blinds.

         If you are wanting White or any other opaque color there is little advantage of using solid woods .The Faux woods are not an inferior product by any means the opposite is true . They do not warp or crack or loose the finish the way woods do .

      To get the same look for a lot less money consider and price out what are  called a 2" metal blind in the Hunter Douglas line they are called  " 2" Macro Blinds "

         As far as making them your self ,really there are so many specialty parts needed it is not going to be a cost saving nor quality orientated deal , trust me.

       The string ladders are indeed important , as well as the headrail and all the barrels that ride on the tilt rod in there also a tilting mechanism and a cord lock for the lift cords .Once you have all that then you need brackets to install them.

    You could build wooden shutters easier

             regards       dusty

    

2. 
   snapperhead | Jun 25, 2009 02:42am | #4

   you might try an online company, they are usually a lot better at the price.  Also I did the whole house a year ago and went with a wood look alike, to keep clear of the warpage issue.  from inside you cannot tell the difference.

   Chris

3. 
   RalphBarker | Jun 25, 2009 06:39pm | #6

   The $650 price doesn't strike me as outlandish for "real wood" blinds that large. As a self-built project, I suspect the retail cost of wood stable enough for the application might exceed that number, not to mention the special hardware in the header structure. Although the hardware might be "borrowed" from plastic blinds, I doubt that it would handle the weight of wooden blinds.