Blinds vs Shutters
Between blinds and shutters, which window treatment is the perfect solution for your Raleigh home? Here’s how to find out: compare them!
Blinds are a traditional window treatment that have been covering windows in Raleigh for as long as sliced bread has been around. And shutters are a contemporary window treatment that has exploded in popularity in the past 20 years. Let’s take a look at how these two window treatment veterans fare on durability, energy efficiency, cleaning, special window shapes, and home resale value.
Styles
Blinds are available in metal, hardwood, faux wood, and vertical styles. With over 300 colors and textures to select from, blinds let you match your window treatments to your style –right down to the pattern.
Plantation shutters are available in Polywood® and Ovation® wood. We furnish Polywood in three premium white paint colors – and a custom paint color program for shades of beige, yellow, and grey. Ovation wood shutters come in 28 wood stains and 11 paint colors.
Durability
When properly maintained, blinds last an average of 5 years. However, shutters can last more than 50 years.
Energy Efficiency
When closed, the thin slats on blinds don’t have much effect on blocking airflow and heat from outside. But shutters, with their thick louvers and tailored mounting, seal off the influence of the external climate. In fact, Polywood plantation shutters insulate up to 70% better than similar traditional wood shutters – and 1600% better than aluminum blinds!
Cleaning
Dusting the thin slats of blinds can be a hassle – especially with the cords that run through from top to bottom. When plantation shutters are installed with a hidden or rear-mount tilt rod, all you have to do to clean the large louvers is tilt them back with your hand and wipe the louvers, unhindered.
Special Window Shapes
Traditional blinds can only fit rectangular-shaped windows, not arched, circular, octagonal, or triangular windows. And blinds would only mask the charming window you fell in love with when you moved into the house, anyway. Shutters, on the other hand, can be custom-built to fit your windows perfectly, regardless of their shape, letting you have access to the view and control over privacy – while complementing your specialty-shaped windows’ elegance.
Home Resale Value
When your home is appraised for resale, all the permanent fixtures are examined. Blinds can be moved from one house to another, however shutters are custom-made and become part of your windows and home. In fact, they add value to your home not only by being a permanent asset, but also by being an energy-efficient one!
We recapped the differences between blinds and shutters in this table for you. Choosing between the two window treatments depends on your style, your windows, and your budget.
|
| Blinds | Shutters |
| Styles | Metal, Hardwood, Faux Wood, Vertical | Polywood and Ovation Wood |
| Durability | Last about 5 years | Last 50+ years |
| Energy Efficiency | Minimum | Maximum |
| Cleaning | Difficult | Easy |
| Special Window Shapes | N/A | Customizable to fit any window shape |
| Home Resale Value | No effect | Increases home resale value |
Between Blinds and Shutters, Which Is the Right Solution for You?
It comes down to personal preference. And, when you’ve decided, we’ll be here to guide you through the process of designing them for your windows. Call us at 919-887-9198 or fill out the form below to schedule your free in-home consultation today!
