Blinds vs. Shutters: Tips to Help You Determine Which Option is Right for Your Home
For most homeowners, the finishing touch to their home's interior design tends to come in the form of brand new window treatments, and despite what you might think, they can actually play a very large role in the overall beauty, function, and level of comfort that your home is able to provide to you and your family. With that being said, there is a multitude of different window treatment options out there for you to choose from, and finding the right ones for your home can be difficult at times as it is easy to get lost in all of the noise. Despite the fact that there are so many options out there for you to choose from, there are two that tend to stand out among the others and are chosen more frequently by homeowners all over the country than others, and those two treatments are shutters and window blinds. Even when you narrow down your considerations to those two particular options, it can still be tough to determine which option is going to be the right one for your home. To help you in that decision-making process, our team of window blinds professionals have taken the time to put together this short list that contains some helpful information and tips that might help you better determine which option is the right one for your home.
What's The Difference Between The Two?
Before making a decision on which option is the right one for your home, it is important to understand the difference between blinds and shutters. On the most basic level, window blinds are typically a lighter-weight window treatment option that can be drawn open with a small wand or cord and usually consists of smaller horizontal slats. Window blinds are typically composed of lighter materials, like lighter woods, faux woods, aluminum, and vinyl, and offer you a wide range of design versatility. Shutters, by contrast, tend to be of a more heavy-duty construction, and are often custom-fitted to your window frame, giving them a more permanent aesthetic. As opposed to being drawn up to open, shutters are usually designed to open out much like a door, and the slats can usually be louvered open with a small wand to open up your view outside your home. Because of their heavy-duty construction, some shutters can even be installed on the exterior of your home, giving you a unique boost to your home's curb appeal.
Why Blinds?
One of the most common reasons that homeowners choose to invest in window blinds over shutters is simply the difference in price. While there are window blinds options out there that exude luxury and elegance, they are generally going to be priced lower than shutters across the board, no matter what material you decide to go with. Blinds are also a more neutral design choice, meaning that they match much more easily to just about any interior design scheme that you have in mind. Blinds are also a much easier option to replace down the line if you ever get tired of them, or just want something new.
Why Shutters?
If you are looking for more substance in your window treatment design, or you want a nice focal accent around your windows, shutters are certainly an option worth considering. While shutters might come in a bit more expensive than blinds, they tend to be a more long-term investment in your home, and actually wind up adding more value to your home in the long run as long as they are tastefully done. When properly cared for and maintained, new shutters can be an investment that you and your family can enjoy for many years to come.