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Plantation shutters in a sitting room

The Difference Between Exterior and Interior Shutters: Rundown for Clearwater Homeowners

July 05, 2017

Clearwater Florida exterior and interior shutters

Plantation shutters work almost anywhere – in any Clearwater home, in any room, on any type of window, and even outside. And that may be where some homeowners might get confused.

Interior and exterior shutters are completely different products, and if you’re flying blind, you can waste time or money shopping around for a product that isn’t what you need. Here’s what you need to know.

Exterior Shutters

First, we have to make it clear that Sunburst Shutters Clearwater doesn’t make or deal in exterior home shutters. Instead, our area of expertise is in stylish interior shutters for the home.

Outdoor shutters tend to do one of two things: either they’re only for looks as an accent to your home’s siding, or they’re reinforced “hurricane shutters,” designed to guard your windows from debris during harsh storms.

Decorative exterior shutters typically look good on very specific home styles, like Mediterranean homes. Hurricane shutters are fairly rare outside of a few parts of the country, and many types don’t even resemble what you envision when you think of shutters, and instead look like large iron sheets.

Outdoor shutters in Mediterranean home.

As for those outdoor shutters that do open and shut on your window, there usually isn’t much functionality to them. They can’t make a seal to block heat and their louvers (if they exist) usually can’t be adjusted. Despite all that, exterior shutters can serve to give a much-needed color accent to your home.

Think About Exterior Shutters If:

  • You need to protect your windows from severe storm damage.

  • You want to add a color accent to your home.

  • You have enough space around your windows for the shutters to fit.

Interior Shutters

Interior shutters are our area of expertise, and they’re the optimum window covering in combining fashion and functionality. Placed directly in or on top of your window frame, indoor shutters blend into your home’s furnishings from the minute they’re put in. And unlike outdoor shutters, interior shutters are able to go on any window, no matter the space limitations.

The style that high quality plantation shutters can add to your house is unequaled, and shutters are extremely multifaceted. Plantation shutters can beautifully accent any style of home; from historic Prairie style homes to ultra-modern condos, and have a range of colors, textures, and frame options to fit your personal style.

Plantation shutters in Clearwater bedroom.
On the practical side, plantation shutters might be the most effective window covering. Polywood plantation shutters in Clearwater can help block heat more effectively than any other window treatment on the market, making sure your house is as comfortable as possible. The adjustable louvers on a set of plantation shutters also let you have a wide range of lighting options, a big benefit over draperies and shades.

Consider interior shutters if:

  • You want better control over lighting, home temperature, and energy-efficiency.

  • You want a versatile, long-lasting window treatment.

  • You want to add style to your home, and match your existing indoor trim.

Sunburst is Your Interior Shutter Expert

It’s likely, if you’re wanting the value, style, and longevity of shutters, you want interior plantation shutters. Sunburst can help with that. Give us a call at 813-580-7288 today and schedule a free in-home consultation.