Wooden Venetian Blinds with Georgian Bar Windows – A Detail That’s Easy to Miss
Yesterday’s home visit took me to a lovely new housing development Broadnook in Rothley.
First-time homeowners.
Brand-new uPVC windows with Georgian bars.
And a simple, sensible brief:
- Privacy was the priority
- Good light control mattered
- And they wanted something with a modern feel, without blowing the budget after the cost of moving
Vertical blinds were quickly ruled out as they felt dated for the space.
They loved the idea of shutters, but with everything else involved in setting up a new home, shutters were a step too far at this stage.
That’s where wooden Venetian blinds came in.
They ticked all the boxes:
- Excellent privacy
- Flexible light control
- Clean, modern look
- And comfortably within budget
So far, so straightforward.
Then the lady mentioned something specific:
She liked the idea of tapes, the 38mm fabric ribbons that support the slats on a wooden Venetian blind.
And she was absolutely right tapes are a lovely upgrade. They soften the look and add a more premium feel.
But there was one important detail she hadn’t been told before.
Where Georgian Bars Change Everything
Her windows had Georgian bars, those slim vertical and horizontal bars within the glass that give a traditional, heritage look.
Here’s the issue most people don’t realise:
Wooden Venetian blinds don’t have one tape.
They have multiple tapes, positioned at fixed points to evenly support the slats.
Those tape positions cannot be moved to line up with the Georgian bars.
Imagine it: slim Georgian bars running up the window… and just in front of them, thick fabric tapes doing their own thing, completely out of sync. It’s like two patterns arguing with each other and your eyes are stuck in the middle.
Visually, it can start to feel busy and crowded especially when viewed from outside.
Her reaction said it all:
“You’re the third company we’ve asked to quote, and no one else has mentioned that. I’m really grateful, I’m not sure I could live with that.”
The Simple, Smarter Solution
The answer wasn’t to abandon wooden Venetians.
It was simply to ditch the tapes.
Instead, we recommended ladder strings:
- They sit in the same structural positions as tapes
- But they’re very slim
- Barely noticeable from inside
- And almost invisible from outside
You keep:
- The warmth of real wood
- The privacy and light control
- The clean look that works with Georgian bars
Without visual clutter.
Why This Stuff Matters
This is exactly why we still do proper home visits.
Not to sell more.
Not to upsell.
But to spot the small, easily missed details that can make the difference between:
“They’re fine…”
and
“I’m so glad we were told that first.”
Sometimes the best advice is helping someone avoid a choice not pushing them towards one.
And that’s what finding the right blinds is really about.
Frequently Asked Questions: Wooden Venetian Blinds & Georgian Bar Windows
Why don’t tapes on wooden venetians line up with Georgian bars on my windows?
Wooden Venetian blinds have multiple fixed tape positions designed to support the slats evenly. These tape placements can’t be customized to match the layout of Georgian bars, which often results in a mismatched, cluttered look.
What are ladder tapes, and why do people like them?
Ladder tapes are the wide fabric strips that run vertically on the front of some Venetian blinds. They’re popular for their soft, decorative look and ability to cover the internal strings but they can create visual noise when paired with Georgian bars.
What’s the difference between ladder tapes and ladder strings on Wooden Blinds?
Ladder strings are much thinner and more discreet than tapes. Functionally, they do the same job holding the slats in place but visually, strings are barely noticeable, especially from outside the home.
Will switching to ladder strings change how the blinds work?
Not at all. Ladder strings offer the same performance as tapes in terms of privacy, light control, and durability. The main difference is aesthetic.
Can I still get a premium look without ladder tapes?
Yes! In fact, many customers find that real wood slats with ladder strings create a clean, elegant finish especially when chosen in a colour that complements your window frame or wall tones.
Is this something most blind companies tell you about?
Unfortunately, no. Many companies overlook this detail or don’t mention it unless asked. That’s why home visits and tailored advice matter so you avoid surprises later on.
About Phil Coleman
Phil Coleman is the fifth generation of his family to run Barlow Blinds, a Leicester business that has been making blinds since 1887. With over 30 years of hands-on experience, Phil has played a leading role in shaping industry standards including being part of the team that wrote the only NVQ qualification for blind and shutter installers. He also serves on the Management Committee of the British Blind & Shutter Association (BBSA), helping to set best practice across the trade. Under his leadership, Barlow Blinds has remained true to its founding principle: “It’s not our job to find customers for our blinds, it’s our job to find the right blinds for our customers.”
