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The Differences Between Plantation Shutters, Window Shades, And Window Blinds In Cleveland

August 12, 2022

Shades, blinds, and shutters–oh my! The range of distinct window treatments out there might seem too much if you are looking to select one for your Cleveland interior. Knowing how to differentiate between each type will aid you in determining which products will be best on the windows you need to cover. Let’s explore the benefits, disadvantages, and ideal locations for louvered shutters, window shades, and window blinds in Cleveland.

The Pros And Cons Of Interior Shutters

White Polywood shutters in a living room

Interior shutters are constructed of hardwood or a wood synthetic and go within your home where they secure permanently to your window with the shutter’s frame positioned over the window frame. Easy-to-move panels within the frame swing open for complete sunlight and an unobstructed view or fasten securely to cover your window for privacy and darkness. When the panels are closed, you can also rotate the louvers for partial light and manipulate them to redirect light where it needs to go.

The Pros

Interior shutters stand out from other options because of their unique design. Aside from looking quite different, they also provide many amazing bonuses for Cleveland interiors:

  • Elevate your home with alluring architectural styling

  • Available in neutral hues to blend with your interior now and in the future if you redesign

  • Give You absolute privacy and nearly full darkness when closed

  • Open easily for light and a view

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

  • Move glare with the slats

  • Simple to clean off

  • Provide an extraordinary level of energy efficiency

  • Becomes a permanent part of your interior that boosts your Cleveland house’s value

  • A range of personalization options to create the style you would like while fulfilling all of your needs

On top of these advantages, faux-wood Polywood® shutters have their own noteworthy virtues: 

  • Unsurpassed toughness with resistance to harm due to cold, heat, moisture, and the sun

  • Last a lifetime without distorting, splitting, or nicking

  • Innovative weather protection for exceptional energy efficiency and lower utility bills

Generally, Polywood shutters can do everything you need a window treatment to perform, from upgrading your window’s beauty to obstructing cold drafts and harmful ultraviolet rays. They’ll even work and look just as superb decades later as the date you have them installed.

 

The Cons

Interior shutters’ lone disadvantage is that they come only in neutral tones. While their versatile hues match all sorts of decor, you’ll be required to go with window shades or blinds if you are determined to install window treatments with patterns or bold colors.

 

How To Utilize Louvered Shutters

You are able to incorporate plantation shutters on any window inside your Cleveland home. Hand-tailored shutters fit any size and shape of window without sacrificing their function. Put them on half-circle, angled, and patio door windows just as simply as standard windows.

You are also able to install Polywood shutters in any room. Pick them for their resilience and superior efficiency in humid bathrooms, cold attic dormers, or sun-splashed south-pointing rooms. Shutters even work great in heavily occupied areas and little ones’ rooms because they are made without cords that create a safety risk.

 

The Pros And Cons Of Window Shades

White shades in a corner of a living room.

Window shades can be found in a range of contasting styles, but, by and large, all have a sheet of fabric positioned over your window. You usually pull the shade down or up to shield and unshield your window through a cord or pull bar, although you are able to discover motorized shades too.

Window shades don’t feature louvers to manage light and privacy, but more transparent or loosely woven natural fiber shades are able to permit light into lower-lit areas while obscuring the view into your property. Or you might use top-down/bottom-up shades that allow you to open up the upper part of your window for light while protecting your privacy on the lower half.

 

The Pros

Cleveland property owners like window shades mainly because they can be found in a range of colors, materials, and styles. You’ll discover shades with neutral colors and vibrant hues, one color or eye-catching patterns, transparent or non-transparent opacities, fabric with pleats or woven fibers, and numerous additional options. If you would like a unique focal point while redesigning a space, window shades in the ideal color or pattern can enhance your ambience and shield your windows.

Individual window shade kinds have their own advantages too. Roller shades have a sleek look. Cellular shades will boost efficiency. Tumble shades are smart choices for French doors. And sheer shades offer a pleasant combination of light and privacy.

 

The Cons

Window shades aren’t as durable as firm window coverings 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 anticipate replacing window shades every three or four years as they break down or you change up your decor.

Window shades also offer less capability in balancing light and privacy than interior shutters. Even opening them part of the way means you give up your privacy on a portion of the window and you’re not able to change how light enters. And many window shades will show your shadow if your interior is illuminated after dark. And rectangular window shades in Cleveland compel you to decide between concealing a non-standard window’s unique shape or leaving the window uncovered at all times.

 

How To Use Window Shades

Most Cleveland residents use window shades when they are looking for colorful window treatments to go with their interior. They are perfect for less active rooms where they can avoid damage from steady engagement.

You are also able to utilize some types of window shades for their particular purposes. Go with cellular shades to assist in blocking cool air from entering. Slim roller shades work in spots where you don’t want a larger window treatment. Blackout shades stop sunlight for better sleep. Woven fiber shades add a feeling of nature to your decor. And don’t forget, custom shades will without a doubt operate more smoothly and look better on your windows than store-bought options.

 

The Pros And Cons Of Window Blinds

Wood blinds in a small dining room area.

Window blinds consist of long, connected slats constructed with a rigid material that you lower over your windows to cover them. Blinds can be used with a cord or cordless lift options. Along with covering windows with blinds, you can also tilt the slats toward or away from you with a bar for additional command over natural light.

 

The Pros

The virtues of window blinds largely depend on on what they’re made of. By design, all blinds shield windows to impede sunlight and sightlines inside your Cleveland interior, but their substance and quality of manufacturing play a big role how well they achieve this. You may notice light and shadows with low-grade vinyl blinds. Metal and vinyl blinds also bend and snap easily, which leaves unsightly openings that allow light. For these blinds, their affordability and limited longevity make them suitable mostly as short-term window coverings.

More resilient natural wood and faux-wood blinds use stronger slats that cover windows more thoroughly. You won’t see through them, and they don’t damage quickly. These materials, mixed with the pleasant defined edges of the slats, provide a more elegant appearance as well. Premium real wood and faux-wood blinds come in versatile neutral colors that work well in any room.

Blinds permit you to direct the quantity of light that enters through your windows. You may pull them up for an unhindered view and full sunlight or guide them down for privacy and darkness. If your blinds are drawn down, you can also turn the slats for a partial view and a bit natural light.

 

The Cons

Wood and faux-wood blinds appear similar to louvered shutters but aren’t as tough. The cords incorporated into the slats can unravel over the long haul, and wood slats can warp and split from an abundance of humidity or intense temperature changes. Blinds also have a great deal of parts that will cause them to be difficult to clean, and the common pull cords might get tangled up or stick if you attempt to manipulate them.

Although customized blinds will accommodate your windows in terms of size, they don’t have the complete protection along the edges that shutters offer since they don’t have a frame. You’ll also discover that both window blinds and shades in Cleveland can swing and slap your window if run into or impacted by a gust of air. This motion provides a view to outsiders and permits light.

 

How To Utilize Window Blinds

Premium blinds look great in any space for square or rectangle windows. Be sure to use waterproof faux-wood blinds in high-humidity spaces like bathrooms and kitchens. And motorized or cordless blinds provide safer products in the event you have children or four-legged friends.

 

Sunburst Has Everything From Plantation Shutters To Window Blinds And Shades In Cleveland

Need to know more about the the variances between plantation shutters, window blinds, and window shades in Cleveland? Sunburst Shutters Cleveland has the most incredible lineup of premium window treatments in town and will is pleased to answer whatever questions you have. We offer no-charge in-home consultations to exhibit our choices and show you which window treatments look best in your home. Request yours by placing a call to 440-561-6787 or filling out the following form.