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How To Choose Between Plantation Shutters, Window Blinds, And Window Shades In Clearwater

August 12, 2022

Shutters, shades, and blinds–oh my! All the different window treatments out there might seem overwhelming if you need to select one for your Clearwater interior. Knowing the distinctions between each type will aid you in determining which styles will look and work best on the windows you are covering. We can help by exploring the benefits, disadvantages, and best spots for interior shutters, window shades, and window blinds in Clearwater.

The Pros And Cons Of Plantation Shutters

White Polywood shutters in a living room

Interior shutters are built from natural wood or faux wood and go within your home where they affix permanently to your window with the product’s frame built around the window’s frame. Movable panels inside the frame smoothly glide open for total sunlight and an unobstructed view or fasten securely to blanket your window for a dark, private interior. Whenever the panels are shut, you are also able to rotate the rows of louvers for some sunshine and manipulate them to angle the light wherever you want.

The Pros

Interior shutters stand out from other window treatments due to their specialized design. They not only look quite different but provide many incredible bonuses for Clearwater interiors:

  • Elevate your home with beautiful architectural styling

  • Come in neutral hues to complement your interior now and down the road if you change your home’s look

  • Offer total privacy and nearly eliminates all light when secured

  • Open effortlessly for sunshine and a sightline to your exterior

  • Accommodate any uniquely shaped window like half-circles and hexagons

  • Move sun glare with the louvers

  • A cinch to clean off

  • Provide an extraordinary level of energy efficiency

  • An enduring fixture that increases your Clearwater home’s value

  • Various customization possibilities to create the look you want while fulfilling all of your needs

Along with these perks, faux-wood Polywood® shutters have their own significant virtues: 

  • Unmatched resiliency with resistance to distress from cold, heat, humidity, and the sun’s rays

  • Will never be impacted by bending, facturing, or chipping

  • Innovative weather protection for impressive efficiency and money savings

Actually, Polywood shutters can do everything you require a window covering to accomplish, from elevating your window’s style to blocking cold breezes and damaging ultraviolet rays. And they operate and look just as superb decades later as the date you installed them.

 

The Cons

Plantation shutters’ one downside is that they come only in neutral colors. Although their classic hues match all kinds of decor, you’ll be required to opt for window shades or blinds if you have your heart set on window treatments with patterns or bold colors.

 

How To Use Interior Shutters

You can use louvered shutters on any window inside your Clearwater property. Hand-tailored shutters fit every shape and size of window without sacrificing their function. Put them on circular, rake angle, and French door windows just as easily as normal rectangular windows.

You can also place Polywood shutters in any space. Choose them for their longevity and efficiency in damp bathrooms, cool attic dormers, or sunny south-facing rooms. Shutters are even a great choice in heavily occupied places and children’s rooms since they are made without cords that pose a safety threat.

 

The Pros And Cons Of Window Shades

White shades in a corner of a living room.

Window shades can be found in various differing styles, although, by and large, all consist of a layer of fabric mounted at the top of your window. You generally pull the shade up or down to shield and unshield your window using a built-in pull bar or cord, but you will also find motorized functionality too.

Window shades don’t have louvers to control sunlight and privacy, but more transparent or less tightly woven fibrous shades will let light into darkened rooms while blocking the sightline into your interior. Or you might utilize top-down/bottom-up styles that give you the chance to reveal the top of your window for light while maintaining your privacy on the lower half.

 

The Pros

Clearwater property owners enjoy window shades mainly because they can be found in various styles, colors, and materials. You’ll discover shades with neutral colors and bright tints, single color or bold patterns, sheer or blackout styles, fabric with pleats or natural fibers, and various additional options. If you want a stylish design element while redecorating an interior, window shades in the ideal color or pattern will boost your decor and shield your windows.

The differing window shade types have their own benefits too. Roller shades have a sleek appearance. Cellular shades will boost efficiency. Tumble shades work well on French doors. And sheer shades give you a nice blend of privacy and sunlight.

 

The Cons

Window shades don’t offer the resiliency of firm window treatments and can be challenging to clean. Their soft materials will eventually discolor on account of the sun or may pull apart, develop mold, or be tarnished with stains. You should expect to replace window shades every three or four years as they break down or you alter your home’s style.

Window shades also offer less flexibility in balancing light and privacy than interior shutters. Even drawing them up a bit means you lose your privacy on half of the window and you’re not able to modify how sunshine floods in at the bottom. And a range of window shades will show your shadow whenever your lights are on at night. And rectangular window shades in Clearwater force you to pick between concealing a non-standard window’s distinctive shape or keeping the window exposed at all times.

 

How To Utilize Window Shades

Many Clearwater property owners opt for window shades because they prefer colorful window coverings to blend with their decor. They are perfect for low-traffic areas where they won’t get damaged by persistent usage.

You can also utilize some types of window shades for their specific purposes. Choose cellular shades to assist in blocking cool air from entering. Slim roller shades work in spaces where you can’t use a bulkier window treatment. Blackout shades keep bedrooms dark so you can sleep. Woven fiber shades incorporate a natural element to your property. And don’t forget, custom shades will unquestionably operate more smoothly and look better on your windows than off-the-rack products.

 

The Pros And Cons Of Window Blinds

Wood blinds in a small dining room area.

Window blinds consist of movable slats constructed with a solid material that you lower over your windows to cover them. Blinds can be used with pull cords or cordless lifting mechanisms. In addition to concealing windows with blinds, you can also rotate the slats toward or away from you with a bar for extra control over sunlight.

 

The Pros

The virtues of window blinds depend on what they’re made of. By design, all blinds cover windows to impede outside light and sightlines within your Clearwater home, but their material and quality are essential in how well they accomplish this. You might notice sun and silhouettes with low-grade vinyl blinds. Metal and vinyl blinds also bow and snap without much difficulty, which leaves unattractive gaps that permit light. For these blinds, their affordability and limited longevity make them advantageous primarily as temporary window treatments.

Well-made natural wood and faux-wood blinds utilize stronger slats that envelop windows much better. You won’t have to worry about seeing past them, and they don’t break easily. The wood or synthetic construction, joined with the pleasant horizontal lines of the slats, provide a more elegant appearance too. Top-end wood and faux-wood blinds can be found in versatile neutral tones that work well in any area.

Blinds allow you to direct how much light comes through your windows. You may draw them up for an unhindered view and full sunlight or lower them for privacy and an absence of light. If your blinds are closed, you can also turn the slats for a limited view and the right amount of sunshine.

 

The Cons

Wood and faux-wood blinds have a similar appearance to plantation shutters but aren’t as long-lasting. The cords incorporated into the slats will come apart over time, and wood slats might warp and split from excess humidity or extreme temperature fluctuations. Blinds also come with a fair number of elements that can result in them being a challenge to clean, and the common pull cords may stick or get tangled if you make an effort to use them.

Despite the fact that customized blinds will accommodate your windows perfectly, they won’t have the total coverage along the edges that shutters can since they don’t have a frame. You’ll also find that both window blinds and shades in Clearwater will sway and slap your window if bumped or taken by a gust of air. This motion lets people see in and lets in exterior light.

 

How To Incorporate Window Blinds

Custom blinds look great in any area on square or rectangle windows. Make sure you only choose water-repellent faux-wood blinds in moist areas like baths and kitchens. And automated or cord-free blinds offer safer options if you have kids or pets.

 

Sunburst Has An Incredible Selection From Interior Shutters To Window Blinds And Shades In Clearwater

Want to know more about the the variances between plantation shutters, window shades, and window blinds in Clearwater? Sunburst Shutters Clearwater offers the most incredible selection of premium window treatments around and will is pleased to answer any questions you might have. We offer no-charge in-home consultations to display our choices and show you which window treatments look best in your property. Request yours by dialing 813-580-7288 or submitting the following form.