Bamboo Shades
Custom Bamboo Shades & Natural Woven Wood Blinds for Maryland, DC & Virginia Homes
Bamboo shades deliver a warm, textured and organic look that few window treatments can rival. Bamboo shades are woven shades, or matchstick blinds, made of natural materials that lend each shade a unique and one-of-a-kind look, that no manufactured fabric can ever match.
There’s a wide array of custom natural woven shades at Buy Home Blinds that come to window dimensions. Whether your home in Maryland, DC or Virginia requires bamboo shades to filter light and fill your room with warm, diffused sunlight, or you need ultimate privacy in your bedroom or media room, you’re in the right place.
All shades are made to order. We provide professional installation by our local staff as an added feature to every order.
25 Years Serving MD, DC & VA
100% Custom Made to Your Window Measurements
Professional Measurement and Installation Included
Free In-Home Consultation Available
Choosing the Right Material - Bamboo, Grass Weave, or Select Weave
Not all natural woven shades are alike. The texture, light filtration, the consistency of weave and the overall look of the finished shade will depend on the material you use. This is a list of the collections we sell.
Natural Woven Shades - Woven Woods
Natural wood, bamboo (that was hand split), reeds, and jute were woven together to create a rich, tactile surface. Of the three options this is the most organic and rustic, with natural color and texture differences seen from panel to panel. Best used as an informal living space, sunroom or bedroom, or in any room where an earthy, grounded theme is desired. Each shade comes with a matching valance for a cohesive and deliberate look.
$110.88
Natural Woven Shades - Grass Weaves
Fabrics created from papyrus, cotton, and polyester fibers that are blended into uniform repeating patterns. Grass weaving is more uniform than natural bamboo, which makes it ideal for open-plan spaces, dining rooms or formal living rooms with multiple windows where a consistent look between each room is necessary. Grass weave shades are popular but still classic and lend a nice modern feel to classic spaces.
$223.34
Natural Woven Shades - Select Weaves
Delicate organic yarns made from sea grass, reeds, and jute, which are woven with the softness and rhythm of a textile. Weave shades offer the most sophisticated and tailored look of all three collections and work best with upholstered furnishings, linen drapes and neutral interior design that uses texture as the accent, not color.
$262.94
What Are Bamboo Shades and Woven Wood Shades?
Bamboo shades are window coverings constructed by hand weaving or hand splitting natural bamboo materials into a structured panel that can roll or lift like a standard shade, they come in a variety of names such as woven wood shades, natural woven shades and matchstick blinds. The materials used are split bamboo, jute, sea grass, reeds and some natural fiber mixture.
No two bamboo shades are identical due to the natural variation in color, grain and texture. This makes it a truly distinct window treatment that brings depth and warmth to any room that can’t be achieved with any printed or synthetic fabric.
Whether it’s the laid-back warmth of coastal and bohemian interior styles, the clean organic lines of Scandinavian and modern farmhouse style, the layered richness of transitional and traditional interiors, or the earthy, grounded color palette of today’s nature-oriented interior trends, bamboo shades blend seamlessly with a diverse array of interior styles.
Liner Options - Controlling Light and Privacy
Unlined bamboo shades create a lovely latticework of natural light filtering through, leaving a warm golden hue during daylight hours. This is just the effect you want for most of the common areas. But the bamboo weave also lets in light, so they will shine from within when interior lights are on at night – so while they can be used for privacy during the day, they can also reduce privacy during the night if rooms can be seen from the street.
We have three liner options available for use for spaces that need more privacy and/or light control:
Privacy Liner
A bamboo shade is hung behind it, creating a privacy liner that filters and dulls light, but doesn’t allow anyone to see through it. Fully preserved from the inside, bamboo keeps its natural beauty. Works best in living rooms and bedrooms that face the street and where daytime privacy is important, yet some daylight is desired.
Blackout Liner
When darkness is a necessity in the bedroom, nursery and media room, a blackout liner is the most suitable option as it will block most of the incoming light. The bamboo’s natural texture can be seen from the inside. Ideally an outside mount will be used with overlap along the sides and top to minimize light gaps at edges for best blackout performance.
Moveable Liner
A moveable liner is the most flexible, it allows you to separate the motion of the bamboo shade from the motion of the liner so you can have the liner raised high or lowered low throughout the day. With this you have unlined bamboo throughout the day to keep you warm and provide a natural glow, and liner cover at night for privacy without altering the shade itself.
Bamboo Shades Lift System Options
Cordless Lift
Cleanest, safe and the most popular lift. Shade is raised and lowered by a simple push or pull on the bottom rail. No cords means no entanglement risk for children and pets, and no dangling cords to break the clean visuality of the shade. Recommended for all houses.
Top-Down / Bottom-Up
It works with glass which can be lowered from the top and raised from the bottom and let the upper part of the window open for daylight, while maintaining privacy at eye level. Perfect for front-facing bedrooms in Maryland and DC neighborhoods where homes are abutting streets.
Motorized
Battery-powered or hard-wired motorized bamboo blinds let you roll your blinds up and down with a remote, an app, or even smart home voice commands. Perfect for windows that are sized large, high in the window frame or for rooms where manual operation is cumbersome.
Best Bamboo Shades for Every Room
Living Room
Light-filtering grass weave or warm neutral shades of natural, cream, honey, and caramel go with sofas, rugs and natural wood furniture. Unlined shading promotes warmth and relaxation throughout the day. Install a privacy liner in living rooms facing the street. The top down/bottom up operation is very convenient for light operations throughout the day.
Bedroom
A blackout liner is a window covering that converts the bamboo shade into a sleeping window. It maintains the natural warmth of bamboo while ensuring it is dark enough to have a restful effect. Work with a cordless or motorized hoist for a hassle-free experience. Deep honey or latte colored weave shades create a cozy feel, which works well for master bedrooms.
Kitchen
Bamboo is resistant to moisture and mold and can be used in kitchen areas where there's humidity and steam. For the kitchen, look for a tighter weave which traps more light and is less affected by humidity from cooking than a loose/fine weave. Do not install directly over the sink where splashing water may drip onto the shade.
Living Room
Light-filtering grass weave or warm neutral shades of natural, cream, honey, and caramel go with sofas, rugs and natural wood furniture. Unlined shading promotes warmth and relaxation throughout the day. Install a privacy liner in living rooms facing the street. The top down/bottom up operation is very convenient for light operations throughout the day.
Home Office
Bamboo shades for screen protectors provide a coverage that diffuses intense direct sunlight into warm, soft light, which also prevents glare on computer screens. If your window faces west and gets a lot of sun in the afternoon, you can put up a privacy liner which will provide enough shade, but not block it completely.
Sunroom or Porch
Sunrooms and covered porches call for bamboo shades. The organic elements integrate with spaces adjacent to the outdoors and the light filtering through the weaves give these rooms a pleasant, relaxed ambiance. If it is being used outside or on semi-exteriors, please ask our staff for recommendations for weave types and mounting methods.
Inside Mount vs. Outside Mount – Which Is Right for Your Windows?
Inside Mount The shade fits into the window frame and stays in line with the wall, creating an architectural inbuilt look. For inside mounting, minimum clearance of around 1.5” at the windowframe is needed for the headrail. If you have windows with sufficient depth, it’s the neat, streamlined choice.
Outside Mount The shade mounts on the wall above and outside the window frame. For small windows, outside mounting offers greater coverage, minimizes edge light gaps, and makes shade seem bigger than the window. A blackout liner is recommended to be fastened outside with generous side and top overlap to maximize the blocking of light.
Don’t know which mount to look for on your windows? We will take the time to offer a professional recommendation with a measurement and mounting at no cost during our in-home session.
Care and Cleaning for Natural Bamboo Shades
While the bamboo and woven wood shades are low-maintenance, natural fibers do need some simple care to maintain their appearance:
Dusting with the microfiber cloth or a brush attachment to a vacuum cleaner, top to bottom regularly, will keep the weave dust-free and free of debris. If there are spot stains, gently blot with a slightly damp cloth and a little mild soap water. Do not rub or pour water over the shade. Water damage has a negative impact on natural fibers, adhesives and lifting mechanisms, regardless of the shade type. Wait until moisture is completely dried before taking the shade up. It also can slow down the fade over time in natural fibres, with extended UV exposure, as the colour may tone down a bit over time – a liner will help to limit direct UV exposure and keep the original colour for longer.
Proudly Serving Maryland, Washington DC & Virginia
Homeowners in the DMV region have relied on Buy Home Blinds, also known as Home Blinds of America, for more than 20 years of service from our headquarters in Beltsville, MD. We have local staff that offer free in-home consultations, professional measurement and expert installation services in Rockville, Bethesda, Silver Spring, Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, and the surrounding Washington DC metro area.
You are not ordering from a national fulfilment centre when you place an order with us. You’re working with a team of local professionals familiar with local Maryland, DC, and Northern Virginia window types, window configurations, and light levels, which is behind all of our products and installations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bamboo Shades
Q1: What is the difference between bamboo shades and woven wood shades?
Bamboo shades are also known as woven wood shades. When the natural bark fabrications are made into window coverings the industry calls them woven wood shades, regardless of whether they are bamboo, jute, sea grass, reeds, or even rattan. If a bamboo product specifies bamboo shades or matchstick blinds, it is most likely split or bamboo woven shades. Both provide a natural warmth, natural light filtering and custom sizing.
Q2: Do bamboo shades provide privacy?
Unlined bamboo shades offer daytime privacy – the weave blocks out clear views from outside during the day. They are not completely opaque, though, and will shine from the inside when lit up at night which decreases the privacy at night. If complete privacy is desired at all times, a privacy liner or blackout liner is recommended behind the shade. Both liner options maintain the natural appearance of the bamboo from the interior.
Q3: Can bamboo shades block light completely?
Since an unlined bamboo shade is constructed of an open weave, it does not block light out completely. The shade can be used in rooms that need dark, such as bedrooms, nursery rooms and media rooms, as it can be further treated to achieve a blackout effect through adding a blackout liner. To obtain the darkest environment, use an outside mount that will overlap on all sides to reduce gaps around the edge.
Q4: Are bamboo shades suitable for kitchens and bathrooms?
Unlike other fabric window treatments, bamboo is naturally resistant to water and mold and is a good choice for kitchens. The tighter the weave and the additional liner will be more helpful for kitchen installations, and the higher it is above any water sources the better, such as the sink. In bathrooms, bamboo shades can be utilized in places where the steam and water are not in direct contact, as it will be difficult to maintain the natural fibers. If unsure for any room, seek an opinion from our staff.
Q5: What lift systems are available for bamboo shades?
Cordless lift, top down/bottom up lift and motorized lift systems are available. The most popular and safe to use for families with children and pets is the cordless model. Top-down/bottom-up offers independent control of both the top and bottom of the shade to give added light and privacy control. Larger windows or windows mounted high can be operated using motors, and may be connected to a compatible smart home system.
Q6: What is the difference between an inside mount and an outside mount for bamboo shades?
Inside mount sets shade into the window frame, resulting in a built-in effect. It needs adequate frame depth (usually at least 1.5 inches) to rest the headrail. For added coverage and fewer light gaps, and to make small windows seem bigger, an outside mount lays the shade on the above wall frame. Blackout liner should be installed with plenty of overlap out of the house for darkening applications.
Q7: How do I clean and care for bamboo shades?
Dust regularly, starting at the top and going to the bottom, with a microfiber cloth or with a vacuum using a brush attachment at low suction. If the stain is spotted, blot it carefully with a wet cloth and mild soap and avoid rubbing and saturating the fabric. Do not soak bamboo shades in water, as it will harm the fibers, glue and mechanisms. Wait for any moisture to dry before lifting the shade. Natural bamboo and woven wood shades are a long-lasting and durable window treatment, provided that they are cared for properly.
Q8: Do you offer professional installation for bamboo shades in Maryland, DC, and Virginia?
Yes. Professional installation on offer throughout our service area – Maryland, DC, and Northern Virginia. Installer team: Measurement, mounting and completion. For professional installation, please note the correct mounting depth, alignment when installing a number of bamboo shades on several windows and headrail positioning with the bamboo lift system you choose. Call us at (301) 847-7000 to add installation to your order.
Ready to Bring Natural Warmth to Your Windows?
Buy Home Blinds custom bamboo shades are handmade from real natural bamboo, created to the precise window measurements of your home, and installed by our staff in Maryland. From open-weave shades in the living room to blackout lined shades in the bedroom to motorized shades in the sunroom, we have the right shade, the right fabric, and know how to get it right the first time.