insights
insights
An aluminium slat with a printed wood grain bonded to it. From across the room it reads as stained timber; it weighs a fraction and shrugs off steam.
Timber has three weaknesses in South Africa. Aluminium has none of them.
Aluminium does not absorb it, so slats cannot warp, split or crack when the humidity climbs past 80% in a coastal summer.
The finish is UV-stable. Timber facing direct sun fades and bleaches; the printed grain holds its colour.
A non-porous core. Salt deposits wipe off before they can get in. Timber venetians on the coast typically need replacing within three to five years; aluwood routinely passes ten.
“Real wood is beautiful in a magazine. In coastal South Africa, I’ve replaced more timber venetians than I can count, salt air, condensation, UV. Aluwood gives you exactly the same look without the maintenance conversation two years later.”Duncan Kane Founder, Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings
Same slat, two proportions. The window decides.
25mm
Fine, light, precise
50mm
Bold, architectural
Both come with the matching valance, and both can take a Somfy motor.
Pale blonde timbers through to deep walnut and wenge. Basswood, oak, cherry, walnut and driftwood grains, consistent across every slat.
A pale blonde timber tone. One of the two finishes South African homes choose most.
PopularThe mid-toned natural. The other of the two most chosen, against the stone, plaster and painted timber of coastal architecture.
PopularThe deep end of the range, through to wenge tones.
Deep tonesA weathered grain pattern alongside basswood, oak, cherry and walnut.
Grain familiesFinish names describe the grain family. See the full range of finishes on the shop product page.
05 The valance
The valance is the shaped fascia that clips to the front of the headrail and hides the lift mechanism. Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings cuts it to the width of the blind and finishes it in the same colour and grain as the slats, so the window looks finished from outside as well as in. Not every supplier includes one, and some supply a plain valance with a wood grain blind. It is the most visible part of the blind when it is fully raised.
MotorisedThe valance housing is slightly deeper to hide the Somfy motor. The window face looks the same.
Anywhere a real wood venetian would give up.
Salt air, condensation and summer humidity. Aluwood is the default specification.
25 or 50mmSteam every evening. The 25mm slat suits the smaller windows.
25mmLocked through a humid summer with no ventilation. The blind that is still straight when you return.
25 or 50mmLow maintenance, durable, and it photographs well for the listing.
25 or 50mmConsistent grain across 30 or 40 slats, where real timber can look restless.
50mmPlaswood, a PVC venetian, has the edge where a laundry opens to the weather. Aluwood is lighter and offers more grains.
Compare plaswoodInside mount: the exact width and drop at the narrowest point of the recess. Outside mount: the area to cover plus 100mm overlap on every side. How to measure
25mm or 50mm, your sizes, your finish. The price updates as you type, no registration needed.
Free delivery to every South African address, made to measure in about 5 to 7 working days plus courier transit. Garden Route homes can add installation.
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The construction is identical: aluminium slats, the same tilt, lift and stacking. A standard venetian has a plain powder-coated or anodised slat in white, silver, black or beige. Aluwood carries a printed wood grain, so it gives the warmth of timber with none of timber’s weakness to moisture and sun.
Yes. The aluminium core cannot warp, swell or crack in steam, so it outlasts timber and most fabric blinds in kitchens and coastal bathrooms. 25mm slats suit the smaller windows.
Yes. Every aluwood blind from Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings includes a valance cut to the blind’s width and finished in the same colour and grain, at no extra charge.
From R600 made to measure. A 1,200mm by 1,200mm window in 25mm typically costs R800 to R1,100 with the valance and free delivery; 50mm in the same size R900 to R1,300. The shop prices your exact measurements instantly.
Yes, with a Somfy motor operated by remote, wall switch or smartphone app. Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings fits motorised aluwood on the Garden Route; WhatsApp Duncan on 079 523 5407 for specifications.
Close the slats one way, wipe across with a damp cloth or dry microfibre, then reverse the tilt and repeat. Water does not harm the finish. No abrasives or solvents. On the coast, a monthly wipe stops salt building up.
Online at shop.customblinds.co.za, made to measure with free delivery to any South African address. Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings has supplied aluwood venetians nationally since 2010.
Content reviewed by the Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings team. Visit the online shop for current pricing.
Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings | South Africa’s trusted blinds, shutters and awnings specialists since 2010.