Shutters or blinds - which are better?
12:27PM 14 February 2020
When starting your DIY window dressing journey, there are many available options, including plantation shutters and blinds. At first glance, you may think there’s not much difference between them. But look a little closer and you’ll see some striking contrasts. So, which style offers the most benefits – shutters or blinds? Let’s find out!
Shutters vs Blinds – which brings more privacy?
Shutters ✔️ Blinds ❌
In these overexposed times, our privacy is more important than ever. This is something that plantation shutters offer in abundance. If you choose full height shutters, you can opt for a split rail and have one section closed and one tilted open. This is perfect if you live in a basement flat, for instance.
Conversely, if you’re choosing DIY shutters for your bathroom, then café style shutters are a perfect option. Covering the lower half of the window, café style provides an elegant barrier to potential onlookers, whilst still delivering plenty of natural light into your space.
Blinds can only be open or closed. It’s either up or down, with no room for subtlety.
Shutters or blinds – which allow better light control?
Shutters ✔️ Blinds ❌
Whatever size of slat you decide to choose, with shutters
you get to control the flow of light into your home. With
Tier on Tier shutters, you have the option to keep your top tier open, allowing plenty of sunlight into your home whilst still maintaining privacy and reducing glare. As the sun’s position changes, you can alter the angle of your slats accordingly.
With blinds, you’re limited with the amount of light that you’d like to bring in your home.
Shutters or blinds – can either offer noise control?
Shutters ✔️ Blinds ❌
It’s a proven fact that plantation shutters offer an effective barrier against noise. Make the most of your precious bedtime, safe in the knowledge that your shutters keep outside noise to a minimum. Your chances of a restful night’s sleep are considerably improved with plantation shutters.
A blind is an altogether flimsier proposition and can’t be relied upon to shut out noise.
Shutters vs blinds – which provide effective insulation?
Shutters ✔️ Blinds ❌
Plantation shutters are made to the exact dimensions of your windows, right down to the millimetre. Thanks to the thickness of the wood they’re made from (e.g.
solid wood shutters), they’re excellent insulators. What’s more, they're super secure and sturdy, so they won’t be banging around during windy weather!
In contrast to shutters, fitting blinds to your windows won’t have a noticeable impact on reducing your heating bills either.
Shutters or blinds – which are easy to clean?
Shutters ✔️ Blinds ❌
Housework is all about the quick wins. How long do you really want to spend on domestic chores? Shutters are the easiest of all window dressings to keep spick and span. With their clean, straight lines and smooth surfaces, all it takes is a speedy dust and wipe to keep them looking box fresh! And, unlike blinds, they stay free of dust mites and are a far better solution for allergy sufferers.
Blinds retain dust, are fiddly to take down, and fabric blinds may need to be taken to the dry cleaners.
Check out our
cleaning your shutters blog for more tips.
Shutters or blinds – Do they enhance kerb appeal?
Shutters ✔️ Blinds ❌
When you look at homes that you like, which are the ones that really stand out? Regardless of their exterior design, chances are that it’s the windows or, more precisely,
the window dressings that make the biggest impression. Call us window snobs if you like, but we know which types we prefer – the ones that have been dressed in clean, classic shutters!
Are windows decorated with crinkled curtains and crooked blinds going to make such a positive impression on potential buyers?
So, there we have it – the case for plantation shutters rests. After offering the evidence, we’re sure you’ll judge that shutters beat blinds in all window requirements!
If you’ve got any more questions about the benefits of shutters then send them our way! Give us a call or email us and we’ll be more than happy to help.