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Hidden tilt shutters in a kitchen

Benefits of Hidden Tilt Rods With Your Plantation Shutters in Phoenix

November 18, 2019

 When shopping for shutters, you’ll have a few choices to make. Should I choose real wood shutters or faux wood shutters? What louver size should I pick? What paint or stain on my shutters will look better with my decor?

One choice you may not be familiar with is the choice between a standard front-mount tilt rod or a hidden or rear-mount tilt rod. Here are some pros and cons of hidden tilt rods, and if you should use a hidden tilt for your plantation shutters in Phoenix.

What Are Hidden and Rear-Mounted Tilt Rods?

No doubt you are familiar with classic plantation shutters that use a center tilt rod on the front. When you want to adjust the window treatment to allow more or less light, you simply use the tilt rod and adjust it vertically to shift the louvers.

A rear-mount tilt rod is a thin metal strip attached behind the louver that is barely visible from the front. When you slant one louver, all the louvers move as well.

Some shutters have a hidden tilt rod that’s in the side of the unit to control the louvers’ movement. However, these types of hidden tilt rods are more finicky and harder to replace, which is why we recommend hidden tilt rods as rear-mount only.

Polywood shutters with hidden tilt rods in PhoenixPolywood shutters with hidden tilt rods in Phoenix 

What Are the Benefits of Rear-Mount and Hidden Tilt Rods?

Hidden or rear-mount tilt rods offer a couple of perks over classic front-mounted tilt rods.

  1. Modern look - Shutters with hidden tilt rods look great with homes that have a modern or contemporary style because of their clean lines.

  2. Works well with thin or tiny windows - Your thin and tiny windows may benefit from hidden tilt rods due to their unfussy look.

What Are Some Drawbacks of Hidden Tilt Rods?

Hidden or rear-mounted tilt rods aren’t perfect. Here’s a list of a couple cons to hidden tilt rods.

  1. Plantation shutters with hidden tilt rods may look too minimalistic for some homeowners - Many people in Phoenix prefer the classic plantation shutter look and design with the tilt rod in the front. The front tilt rod gives more shape and substance to your shutters, versus shutters using a hidden tilt rod where the look is more modern.

  2. Some homeowners find front-facing tilt rods less of a hassle - Front-facing tilt rods may be more user-friendly for some homeowners to work with. You can move the tilt rod and adjust the louvers to open and close, instead of having to slant the louvers themselves.

Who Should Consider Hidden Tilt Rods on Their Shutters?

Hidden Tilt Rod Plantation Shutters

What type of tilt rod you pick is often due to your preference and your room’s decor. When you have a traditionally designed home, we recommend front-mounted tilt rods. When your design scheme is more sleek, you might want to consider rear-mounted tilt rods.

You may also want to think about your families needs, like pets and kids. Some customers in Phoenix who have child care from their home inquire about hidden or rear-mount tilt rods so that there’s less chance of a child damaging a front-mounted tilt rod.

Want Help Choosing the Perfect Shutter For Your Home?

If you want to get shutters in Phoenix but need some guidance, contact your Sunburst rep at 480-485-7743 or fill out the form below to arrange a free in-home consultation. When we come, we’ll walk you through a variety of shutter options - including rear tilt rod options - so you can be confident in your choice.