Shutters vs. Blinds: Which Is Better?

Did you know that window treatments can reduce the amount of heat getting into your home by about 77%? These covers also increase energy efficiency, prevent debris from getting in and boost privacy.

Shutters and blinds are among the most popular window treatment options. Their overall style, material, and color availability make them suitable for most home designs and décor. If you are thinking about getting new window treatments, you may be debating between these two choices.

Here, we explain the main features of shutters and blinds to help you determine the best option for your home. We’ll also mention some of the factors you should look at during the selection process.

Shutters as Window Treatment Options

Shutters are window covers consisting of slats you can open or close to regulate the amount of light entering your home. Since they are mainly wooden or made from vinyl, these treatments are relatively durable and can last for about 10-25 years.

One key benefit of such window covers is that you can paint or stain them to match your décor. Depending on your desired aesthetic, it’s easy to create a traditional or modern feel with these interior shutters.

More pros of these window treatments are:

• Reliable heat insulation
• Can block noise from outside
• Have a tight fit which increases privacy

Another reason shutters are among the best window treatments is because they don’t have any cords for adjusting the slats. This feature makes them safe for homes with pets and kids.

Blinds as a Window Treatment Solution

Window blinds come in a broad range of materials like aluminum, wood, faux wood, and fabric. These treatment options are customizable depending on the style you wish to create. In most cases, the window treatment installation cost will vary according to the selected design and material.

Blinds are popular due to their versatility and affordability. You can also install them vertically or horizontally by choosing a particular slat’s design. Besides, some models have a sheer fabric which enhances privacy when the window treatments are open.

Choosing Between Shutters vs. Blinds

After learning about shutters and blinds, you may wonder which one is better. While shutters are durable window covers, they are relatively more expensive to buy and install. Still, they don’t need a lot of maintenance, which gives you value for the money spent on the purchase.

On the other hand, blinds are easy to install, remove, then customizable to fit different window sizes and designs. However, they may fade with time when exposed to sunlight and become less aesthetically pleasing. Some blinds also come with cords which may be a choking hazard.

The best way to choose between shutters and blinds is by consulting a window treatment company. These have experts to help you determine the most suitable coverage for your home.

Besides, they can recommend ways to enhance the durability of the material you install. Such brands also offer quality window treatment services to improve energy efficiency while considering safety.

Spruce up Your Home With the Best Window Treatments

Learning more about shutters and blinds allows you to identify the best window treatment options. It will also be easier to match these coverings with your décor and enhance the visual appeal. If you would like to read other posts about home improvements and decoration, browse this page now.

How should you select the shutters for your home?

Shutters can make a visual impact on your house’s appearance, especially when picked right. They can add energy and improve the house’s curb appeal since they can be made of many materials: cypress, pine, vinyl, resin composites, paintable cedar, and powder-coated aluminum. You can customize them according to your preferences, needs, and budget. Typical shutters range in height from 8 to 12 in, whereas, in width, they range between 12 to 15. Should you need custom-made shutters, you can have the size, shape, and cutout details you need for your home. Apart from budget, we recommend you consider the following aspects when selecting the shutters for your home.

Pick the style

We advise you pick a shutter-style that matches your house’s architectural style and your location. Walk around your neighborhood to discover the shutters of your neighbors or navigate the internet for ideas. Typically, raised or flat-panel shutters match the colonial, European, and federal exteriors. Farmhouses, cabins, cottages, Tudors, and mission-style homes will look their best with board-and-batten shutters. If you want to play it safe, go with louver and combination shutters as they match most styles.

Remember to pick shutters according to your window’s geometry; buy arched shutters for frame rounded windows and straight-lined shutters for square/rectangular windows.

Choose the colors

You want your shutters to be easy to spot, so pick colors that stand out against your house’s exterior paint. For instance, a white colonial-style abode will look amazing with black shutters, whereas a cedar-shingled cottage will impress with cream shutters. If you like to go over the top, select vibrantly hued shutters with flowers in the landscape—your house will gain a happy vibe.

When you like the subtle feel, shutters in the same color family as your house’s exterior are a good choice; pick darker or lighter tones, though. Don’t forget that the shutters’ color has to synchronize with at least one color/element of your home. The shutter color can repeat the colors on the roof, porch floor, front door or resemble the tones of your chimney—make sure it echoes another element of your house.

Pay attention to details

Needless to say, the shutters should fit the windows and match the length of the windows’ trim. For width, they have to be around 25-33% of the window’s width. Don’t forget to consider the spaces between windows when you measure for windows.

You can have a cohesive look and have the same width for shutters on all windows. You can amplify the shutter’s visual impact with detail work and hardware, such as strap hinges, cast-iron shutter dogs that hold the shutters open. Don’t forget to choose unique fasteners and pulls. You can buy unfinished wood shutters and paint them in the color of your choice; add some stenciled motifs for their uniqueness. For a kaleidoscope appearance, you can paint every shutter panel in complementary colors. Shutters are a great way to express your hobbies and appreciation for your locale so that you can decorate them with palm or pine trees, seahorses, sailing ships, anything else that speaks of you and your region.

Blinds come in many types and styles as well. How should you pick them?

You don’t need to work in the industry to see that blinds come in a great variety of styles, colors, and types. We encourage you to spend some time before buying so that you select the blinds that suit your home the best way. Think about the following aspects when choosing your blinds.

Light and privacy

When you pick your blinds, you need to decide if you want your room to be comfortable and dark or bright and airy. Blinds can let the sunlight pass through or block it; when you close them, the light no longer gets inside the room. You can play with the level of transparency and intimacy and get the blinds that fit your needs the most.

Safety

If you have children, blinds pose a risk for incidents. We recommend you select blinds that are cordless to eliminate the risk of accidental strangulation.

Budget

Do you need blinds for just one room or the whole house? For some rooms, you might go with cheaper models than in other rooms. Window treatments are priced by size, so that you will spend more for more oversized windows than for smaller ones. Custom sizes, patterns, features, and exceptional fabrics can also increase the final cost for blinds.

Style

Are you looking for chic, comfortable, or casual? For a dramatic feel in your room, you can go with bold colors on your blinds. Subtle hues are ideal for a room with earthy and neutral colors. The variety of styles is impressive and you can start by selecting between corded and cordless models.

Cleaning

You don’t need to hire professionals to clean the blinds, but you need to stay on top with cleaning them from time to time. Blinds are dust magnets, so dust them whenever necessary. Shades in weaves and textured fabrics will hide soil better, but they will be tricky to clean. You will have the best results with vacuuming and spot-cleaning them. If the level of dirtiness is high, you might want to call in the pros.

Which type to get?

Several types of blinds are available, so check the most popular out there:

Horizontal blinds

Also known as Venetian blinds, these blinds are made with horizontal slats that hang from the headrail by a cord. You can get horizontal blinds in wood, faux wood (made from PVC), and metal (made from aluminum).

Roller blinds

They’re also known as roller shades and are made from just one panel of fabric that rolls down from a top bar. They’re made of fabric and come in a great variety of colors and prints. You can pick from light-filtering voile fabrics, blackout fabrics, and two-layer day-and-night fabrics.

Roman blinds

These blinds are some of the most extravagant window coverings. They’re made with decorative fabric and horizontal stiffener rods. They’re elegant and come in a great variety of materials, colors, and prints.

Perfect fit blinds

The perfect fit blinds are available in several types of blinds. They attach straight to the window and sit flush against the glass.

Vertical blinds

Vertical blinds are made from vertical vanes and let you angle the vanes and direct the light in the room. They’re the best choice for large windows.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best shutters for a house?

Shutters made of aluminum represent the most popular models for homes. They are durable, easy to clean and last for many years with proper cleaning and maintenance. Additionally, they can come in many styles and colors and finding a model that suits your home best is easy.

Is it necessary for the shutters to match the front door?

The front door doesn’t need to match the trim or shutter color. It’s your home, so you can pick which style and color you like most for your shutters, front door, and everything else.

Which is better: PVC or vinyl shutters?

PVC shutters surpass vinyl and composite shutters from many points of view. They are made to feel and look like wood but are made with a plastic compound that is long-lasting, easy to customize, and lightweight. PVC constitutes one of the best options for outdoor structures as it’s resistant to oxidation.

Should blinds be darker or lighter than walls?

You can have your blinds either lighter or darker than the walls—it’s your house, after all. However, professional decorators recommend that the blinds and walls be at least one shade lighter or darker than each other. It’s a safe way to make sure that everything works together. Also, keep in mind to have the blinds and walls in a similar tone.

Is it necessary for blinds to match the floor?

Some people like having the blinds matching the floors, wood furniture and molding. However, you can make bold choices and go with finishes that accentuate and do not match the floor. It will give the room a luxurious feel and add dimension as well.