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How To Differentiate Between Plantation Shutters, Window Shades, And Window Blinds In Phoenix

August 12, 2022

Blinds, Shutters, and shades–oh my! The range of different window treatments on the market might feel overwhelming when you have to select one for your Phoenix property. Knowing the differences between each type will aid you in determining which ones will be best on the windows you need to cover. Let’s explore the pros, disadvantages, and best uses of louvered shutters, window shades, and window blinds in Phoenix.

The Pros And Cons Of Interior Shutters

White Polywood shutters in a living room

Louvered shutters are built from hardwood or a highly durable composite and go inside your property where they affix permanently to your window with the shutter’s frame attached to the window’s framework. Hinged panels within the frame smoothly glide open for full sunshine and a clear view or fasten securely to cover your window for a dark, private interior. Whenever the panels are secured, you may also tilt open the louvers for partial sunlight and manipulate them to divert light wherever you want.

The Pros

Interior shutters stand out from other window treatments because of their unique design. Aside from looking quite different, they also supply various remarkable advantages for Phoenix homes:

  • Elevate your home with beautiful architectural detail

  • Come in neutral tones to match your decor now and down the road if you redecorate

  • Give You absolute privacy and nearly full darkness when secured

  • Open easily for sunshine and a sightline to your exterior

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

  • Redirect glare with the louvers

  • A cinch to dust off

  • Deliver superior energy efficiency

  • Becomes a permanent feature that boosts your Phoenix property’s value

  • Many customizable options to create the style you want while meeting all of your needs

In addition to these perks, faux-wood Polywood® shutters have their own significant virtues: 

  • Unrivaled durability with resistance to damage due to cold, heat, humidity, and UV rays

  • Last a lifetime without distorting, facturing, or nicking

  • Patented weather sealing for noticeable efficiency and money savings

Actually, Polywood shutters are able to do anything you ask a window covering to do, from enhancing your window’s beauty to blocking cold breezes and damaging ultraviolet rays. They also work and look just as superb decades later as the date you have them installed.

 

The Cons

Interior shutters’ lone disadvantage is that they can only be found in neutral tints. Although their versatile coloration goes with all types of designs, you’ll need to opt for window shades or blinds if you are determined to install window treatments with patterns or bold colors.

 

How To Utilize Interior Shutters

You may use louvered shutters on any window in your Phoenix property. Custom shutters fit every size and shape of window without forgoing functionality. Put them on rounded, rake angle, and French door windows just as simply as standard square or rectangular windows.

You are also able to position Polywood shutters in any room. Use them for their longevity and superior efficiency in wet bathrooms, chilly attic dormers, or sun-splashed rooms. Shutters are even a great choice in family places and children’s rooms as they don’t use cords that pose a safety hazard.

 

The Pros And Cons Of Window Shades

White shades in a corner of a living room.

Window shades are available in various contasting styles, but, in general, all have a piece of fabric positioned at the top of your window. You generally pull the shade down or up to shield and unshield your window using a cord or pull bar, but you will also locate motorized options too.

Window shades don’t use slats to provide partial light and privacy, but lower opacity or more freely woven fibrous shades can permit light into darkened rooms while obstructing views into your property. Or you could utilize top-down/bottom-up shades that give you the chance to uncover the upper part of your window for light while maintaining your privacy below.

 

The Pros

Phoenix homeowners enjoy window shades due to the fact they are available in various styles, colors, and materials. You’ll find shades with common colors and vibrant tones, solid color or dramatic patterns, see-through or blackout styles, fabric with pleats or fibrous materials, and numerous different possibilities. If you want a special focal point when redesigning a space, window shades in the ideal color or pattern will enhance your ambience and cover your windows.

The differing window shade kinds have their own perks too. Roller shades have a restrained feel. Cellular shades are energy efficient. Tumble shades are smart choices for door windows. And sheer shades give you an agreeable mix of filtered light and privacy.

 

The Cons

Window shades aren’t as durable as firm window coverings and can be a chore to clean. Their fabric materials will in time discolor due to the sun or may pull apart, develop mold, or be tarnished with stains. You can expect to replace window shades every three or four years as they wear out or you change up your interior design.

Window shades also have less versatility in balancing light and privacy than louvered shutters. Even drawing them up a bit means you give up your privacy on a portion of the window and can’t modify how light enters. And many window shades will show your shadow if you have the lights on inside during the night. And rectangular window shades in Phoenix compel you to choose between hiding a non-traditional window’s uncommon shape or leaving the window bare at all times.

 

How To Utilize Window Shades

Many Phoenix property owners use window shades if they prefer bold or patterned window coverings to match their design. They are best suited for less active areas where they can avoid damage from persistent use.

You might also use some types of window shades for their specified purposes. Go with cellular shades to assist in blocking cool air from entering. Slim roller shades work in places where you can’t use a bulky window treatment. Blackout shades keep bedrooms dark so you can sleep. Woven fiber shades incorporate a natural element to your decor. And of course, custom shades will unquestionably look and work better on your windows than store-bought shades.

 

The Pros And Cons Of Window Blinds

Wood blinds in a small dining room area.

Window blinds have movable slats built from a firm material that you lower over your windows to conceal them. Blinds can be used with cords or cordless lifting mechanisms. Along with covering windows with blinds, you can also tilt the slats toward or away from you with a wand for additional command over sunlight.

 

The Pros

The benefits of window blinds depend on the materials they’re fabricated with. By design, all blinds cover windows to obstruct sunlight and the view inside your Phoenix home, but their material and quality play a big role how well they achieve this. You might notice sun and outlines of people with low-cost vinyl blinds. Metal and vinyl blinds also bend and break easily, leaving unattractive gaps that permit sunlight. For these blinds, their affordability and limited longevity make them beneficial primarily as temporary window treatments.

More resilient real wood and faux-wood blinds use sturdier slats that envelop windows more thoroughly. You won’t be able to look past them, and they don’t break rapidly. The wood or synthetic construction, combined with the attractive straight lines of the slats, provide a more elegant appearance too. Top-end wood and faux-wood blinds are available in classic neutral tones that look lovely in any room.

Blinds allow you to control the quantity of light that comes through your windows. You are able to pull them up for an unfettered view and complete sunlight or guide them down for privacy and a dark room. If your blinds are lowered, you may also turn the slats for a partial view and the right amount of natural light.

 

The Cons

Wood and faux-wood blinds look similar to interior shutters but aren’t as long-lasting. The cords intertwined with the slats will come apart in the long run, and wood slats can distort and splinter from excess humid air or drastic temperature variations. Blinds also include a great deal of parts that will make them a challenge to clean, and corded blinds could get twisted up if you try to manipulate them.

Even though custom blinds will accommodate your windows perfectly, they won’t have the complete protection around the borders that shutters can because they don’t have a frame. You’ll also find that both window blinds and shades in Phoenix will sway and smack your window if run into or caught in a wind gust. That movement provides a view to outsiders and allows exterior light.

 

How To Utilize Window Blinds

High-end blinds are a great choice in any space on square or rectangle windows. Make sure you only install water-repellent faux-wood blinds in moist areas like kitchens and baths. And motorized or cordless blinds are safer choices in the event you have children or pets.

 

Sunburst Has It All From Plantation Shutters To Window Blinds And Shades In Phoenix

Need to know more about the pros and cons of louvered shutters, window blinds, and window shades in Phoenix? Sunburst Shutters Phoenix has the most incredible selection of high-end window treatments around and will is pleased to answer all of your questions. We conduct complimentary in-home consultations to exhibit our options and show you which window treatments make the most sense for your property. Arrange yours by placing a call to 480-485-7743 or filling out the form below.