Major types of bamboo shades
There are three major types of bamboo shades that I know of, and bamboo shades are called a variety of different names - woven woods, matchstick blinds, etc. So today I will go through each and discuss the meaning.
Matchstick shades - The term ‘matchstick’ refers to the size of the bamboo used in the shade. For matchstick shades, you will have lots of small bamboo sticks wrapped together giving the look of many long matchsticks held together in one shade. There are also some variations like flat matchstick - where the bamboo chosen is flat rather than round. Here is a matchstick bamboo shade example from Payless Decor:
Jute, grass, reeds shades - I combine these because none of them are generally lumped together next to bamboo when looking at woven shades. Jute is a strong and durable plant fiber that us used to make rice stacks. Some grasses are strong, some are less durable, so it is important to ask. Sometimes a grass blinds is too fragile to put edge banding around it, and you’ll want to be careful that you don’t buy a grass blind that sags. Here is an example from Smith and Noble:
Matchstick Mesh - Like the name it is a mesh of matchstick and different types of thread giving it a very woven look.
Woven Woods - Generally, this is a combination of flat and round bamboo in multiple sizes along with intricate threading. Woven wood patterns and colors are quite divere, and can range from basic to quite ornate.
Amazing all the intricacies that are available - so do your homework! For some more details on styles go an excellent resource is Callalloo