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

Shades, blinds, and shutters–oh my! All the distinct window treatments on the market might feel a bit mind-boggling if you have to select one for your Detroit home. Knowing how to differentiate between each type will help you decide which products will be best on the windows you are covering. Here, we explain the advantages, cons, and top uses of plantation shutters, window shades, and window blinds in Detroit.

The Pros And Cons Of Louvered Shutters

Plantation shutters are constructed of hardwood or a highly durable composite and go inside your residence where they affix permanently to your window with the shutter’s frame positioned over the window’s framework. Movable panels within the frame smoothly glide open for complete light and a clear view or close again to encompass your window for privacy and darkness. Whenever the panels are secured, you may also turn the slats for partial light and adjust them to redirect light where you want it.

The Pros

Plantation shutters rise above other products because of their unique design. They not only look quite different but provide several amazing advantages for Detroit interiors:

• Elevate your home with beautiful architectural styling

• Find them in neutral hues to match your design now and in the future if you redecorate

• Offer total privacy and nearly full darkness when secured

• Open effortlessly for sunshine and views to your property

• Work with any specialized window like half-circles and hexagons

• Redirect glare with the louvers

• A cinch to dust and clean

• Provide an amazing degree of energy efficiency

• A permanent fixture that increases your Detroit home’s value

• A range of customization options to create the style you desire and meet your specific requirements

On top of these perks, faux-wood Polywood® shutters feature their own noteworthy benefits: 

• Unrivaled resiliency with resistance to harm from cold, heat, damp conditions, and the sun

• Never experiences warping, splitting, or nicking

• Innovative weather sealing for noticeable efficiency and money savings

Actually, Polywood shutters are able to do any job you require a window covering to do, from upgrading your window’s style to stopping cold breezes and harmful ultraviolet rays. And they function and look just as great decades later as the date you have them installed.

The Cons

Interior shutters’ one disadvantage is that they can only be found in neutral tones. Although their classic hues match all types of designs, you’ll have to settle for window shades or blinds if you must have window treatments with patterns or bold colors.

How To Incorporate Louvered Shutters

You are able to incorporate plantation shutters on any window inside your Detroit residence. Customized shutters accommodate any type, size, and shape of window without sacrificing functionality. Put them on half-circle, angled, and French door windows just as effortlessly as normal square or rectangular windows.

You are also able to install Polywood shutters in any area. Choose them for their resilience and efficiency in humid bathrooms, chilly attic dormers, or sun-filled rooms. Shutters are even a great choice in family areas and kids’ rooms because they are made without cords that present a safety risk.

The Pros And Cons Of Window Shades

Window shades can be found in various different styles, but, for the most part, all have a sheet of fabric mounted at the top of your window. You typically pull the fabric in the direction you want to shield and unshield your window using a built-in pull bar or cord, but you are able to locate motorized shades as well.

Window shades don’t feature louvers to provide partial light and privacy, but sheer or loosely woven natural fiber shades will permit light into darkened areas while obstructing the sightline into your home. Or you can use top-down/bottom-up options that let you open up the upper region of your window for sunlight while preserving your privacy on the lower half.

The Pros

Detroit property owners like window shades due to the fact they can be found in many different materials, styles, and colors. You’ll discover shades with standard colors and vibrant tones, single color or dramatic patterns, see-through or blackout opacities, neatly folded fabric or woven fibers, and many other choices. If you’re looking for a stylish accent when redecorating a space, window shades in the ideal color or fabric will boost your ambience and shield your windows.

The differing window shade kinds have their own perks as well. Roller shades have a classic minimalist appearance. Cellular shades will boost efficiency. Tumble shades are nice additions to door windows. And sheer shades offer a nice combination of filtered light and privacy.

The Cons

Window shades aren’t as durable as rigid window treatments and may be difficult to clean. Their fabric materials will in time discolor due to the sun or may rip, grow mold, or be tarnished with stains. You can plan on replacing window shades in less than five years as they wear out or you change up your home’s style.

Window shades also provide less capability in balancing exterior light and privacy than louvered shutters. Even pulling them up part of the way means you lose your privacy on some of the window and you’re not able to modify how light enters at the bottom. And many window shades will allow shadows to appear whenever your interior is illuminated during the night. And rectangular window shades in Detroit make you to pick between concealing a non-standard window’s unique dimensions or keeping the window bare permanently.

How To Utilize Window Shades

Many Detroit residents choose window shades if they prefer colorful window coverings to match their decor. They are perfect for less occupied rooms where they won’t wear as quickly from frequent use.

You can also utilize various kinds of window shades for their particular purposes. Choose cellular shades to help block cool air from entering. Slim roller shades fit in spots where you don’t want a larger window treatment. Blackout shades keep out light so you can sleep. Woven fiber shades incorporate a natural element to your decor. And of course, custom shades will always operate more smoothly and look better on your windows than off-the-shelf shades.

The Pros And Cons Of Window Blinds

Window blinds consist of long, connected slats constructed with a rigid material that you lower over your windows to shield them. Blinds operate with a cord or cordless lift options. As well as shielding windows with blinds, you can also tilt the slats toward or away from you with a rod for extra command over natural light.

The Pros

The benefits of window blinds depend on their material. By design, all blinds shield windows to impede sunlight and views into your Detroit residence, but their type of material and construction determine how effectively they accomplish this. You may notice sun and shadows with low-cost vinyl blinds. Aluminum and vinyl blinds also bend and snap without much difficulty, leaving unattractive gaps that let in outside light. For these blinds, their affordability and limited longevity make them advantageous primarily as temporary window coverings.

Well-made natural wood and faux-wood blinds utilize more robust slats that blanket windows more completely. You won’t have to worry about seeing past them, and they don’t damage quickly. The natural wood and composite components, mixed with the appealing straight lines of the slats, provide a more elegant appearance too. Top-end natural wood and faux-wood blinds are available in classic neutral shades that look lovely in any area.

Blinds let you manage how much light passes through your windows. You can pull them up for an unhindered view and full sunlight or close them for privacy and an absence of light. When the blinds are drawn down, you may also turn the slats for a partial view and some sunshine.

The Cons

Wood and faux-wood blinds have a similar appearance to plantation shutters but aren’t as long-lasting. The cords that hold the slats together can come apart in the long run, and wood slats can warp and split from too much moisture or drastic temperature changes. Blinds also include a fair number of elements that will result in them being a challenge to clean, and the common pull cords may stick or get tangled when you attempt to manipulate them.

Despite the fact that customized blinds will suit your windows just right, they can’t give you the total coverage over the borders that shutters do as they aren’t enclosed by a frame. You’ll also find that both window blinds and shades in Detroit will sway and knock against your window if run into or caught in a gust of air. That motion opens a sightline to your interior and lets in exterior light.

How To Utilize Window Blinds

Custom blinds look great in any room on traditionally sized windows. Make sure you only install waterproof faux-wood blinds in humid locations like kitchens and baths. And cordless or motorized blinds are safer options when you have little ones or pets.

Sunburst Has Everything From Interior Shutters To Window Blinds And Shades In Detroit

Want to know more about the pros and cons of plantation shutters, window blinds, and window shades in Detroit? Sunburst Shutters Detroit offers the best lineup of high-end window treatments in the area and can answer all of your questions. We offer complimentary in-home consultations to display our options and let you determine which window treatments look best in your home. Schedule yours by calling 248-429-9294 or filling out the form below.