Shutters, Shades, or Blinds: What’s Best for Your Project. All types of window treatments have situations where they outshine their counterparts. When considering what kind of window treatment to use there is a lot to consider: room orientation, type of room, climate, the shape of window, cost, maintenance needs, and more. This quick guide will help you distinguish what types of window treatments are best for your project, whether it’s a home here in Indianapolis or a dental office in Albuquerque.
Blinds
Cheap plastic blinds that are popular in many rental units have sullied the reputation of blinds somewhat, but don’t be fooled! Blinds can be cost-effective, versatile, and stylish. Coming in a large variety of materials, including plastic, wood, faux wood, aluminum, and even fabric or vinyl, blinds offer an array of styles that can meet the needs of the pickiest homeowner.
Blinds also offer the most control over how much light enters the room. While shades can be drawn and shutters can be angled, blinds offer both! This is especially useful in locales where the amount of light changes over the course of the year. For example, here in Indianapolis, we have four seasons of fun, so blinds can be useful in reducing sunlight in the summer, allowing maximum sunlight for winter, and allowing for optimal light everywhere in between.
But what about windows of different shapes and sizes? Blinds work in all kinds of windows! Even arch windows can be treated with blinds for a distinctive style. For a sliding glass door, vertical blinds are a popular choice because of their simplicity and mobility when compared to other window treatments.
With its many pros, blinds do have some cons. Because they are composed of many small strips that can all accumulate dust, blinds require extra time when cleaning. This means they may not be the best choice in situations where the upper slats of the blinds are too high to reach. However, in situations where blinds may get dirty often, faux wood is an excellent option as it is made from PVC and will not stain or tarnish even from grease.
Shades
Shades can be stylish and classy while coming in a large variety of styles. Whether you want the appearance of drapes with more convenience with Roman shades or the added energy efficiency of roller and solar shades, shades will have you more than covered.
In rooms with TV screens, shades are particularly useful. While blinds allow an inconsistent amount of light in through its slats, shades provide a consistent cover that is excellent for spaces that want maximum light sometimes and minimal light at other times. Shades come in varying levels of opacity, meaning that there’s a set of shades that will fit the desire for any amount of light.
Cordless shades are a great fit for daycares or homes with small children or pets. Cords can be hazardous to children and pets. Additionally, many prefer the simplicity in style of cordless shades. Top-down bottom-up shades are a great cordless option, especially for tall windows. This way, light can come in from the window’s top, bottom, or both!
Fabric shades may not be the perfect choice for every room though. Areas like bathrooms that are damp and humid could lead to mold if the shades aren’t being cleaned regularly. Luckily, there’s a large variety of vinyl shades that would not mold in those settings. In fact, solar shades are made of vinyl and make a building more temperature resistant, lowering the carbon footprint by reducing the need for heating and cooling.
Shutters
Shutters are a bolder window treatment that offers the chance to greatly impact the feeling of a room. As with shades and blinds, they come in a multitude of styles, ranging from natural wood stains to any color that comes in paint!
Like roller and solar shades, shutters can be used to help insulate a building and reduce its carbon footprint.
Shutters require more maintenance than shades or blinds. Shutters require regular cleaning to look their best, but doing so is simpler than it is with blinds given that shutters have much larger and sturdier slats. Additionally, shutters tend to be the most durable window treatment option! Wooden shutters may warp over time in damp rooms or in areas with large variations in temperature. However, composite shutters are designed to avoid this, so if natural wood isn’t a must, composite is an excellently functional fit for almost any room.
Every window has the best fit for window treatment, both in style and function. If your next project is a kitchen, check out our additional tips on the best window treatments for kitchens. For a free consultation on custom blinds, shades, or shutters to fit both your stylistic and functional needs, contact A+ Blinds today.