Blinds vs Shutters
Given the choice between blinds and shutters, which window treatment is the ideal solution for your Fort Myers home? Here’s how to find out: compare them!
Blinds are a traditional window treatment that have been covering windows in Fort Myers for as long as sliced bread has been around. And shutters are a modern window treatment that has skyrocketed in popularity in the past 20 years. Let’s explore how these two window treatment veterans fare on durability, energy efficiency, cleaning, special window shapes, and home resale value.
Styles
Blinds come in metal, hardwood, faux wood, and vertical styles. With more than 300 colors and textures to choose from, blinds let you match your window treatments to your style –right down to the pattern.
Plantation shutters are available in Polywood® and Ovation® wood. We furnish Polywood in three premium white paint colors – and a custom paint color program for hues of beige, yellow, and grey. Ovation wood shutters come in 28 wood stains and 11 paint colors.
Durability
When well kept, blinds last an average of 5 years. While shutters can last more than 50 years.
Energy Efficiency
When closed, the thin slats on blinds don’t have much effect on blocking airflow and heat from outside. But shutters, with their thick louvers and tailored mounting, seal off the influence of the external climate. In fact, Polywood plantation shutters insulate up to 70% better than similar traditional wood shutters – and 1600% better than aluminum blinds!
Cleaning
Dusting the thin slats of blinds can be challenging – especially with the cords that run through from top to bottom. When plantation shutters are mounted with a hidden or rear-mount tilt rod, just tilt the large louvers back with your hand and wipe the louvers, unhindered.
Special Window Shapes
Traditional blinds can only cover rectangular-shaped windows, not arched, circular, octagonal, or triangular windows. And blinds would only conceal the charming window you fell in love with when you moved into the house, anyway. Shutters, conversely, can be custom-built to fit your windows exactly, regardless of their shape, letting you have access to the view and control over privacy – while complementing your specialty-shaped windows’ elegance.
Home Resale Value
When your home is estimated for resale, all the permanent fixtures are taken into consideration. Blinds can be moved from one house to another, but shutters are custom-made and become part of your windows and home. Actually, they increase the value of your home not only by being a permanent asset, but also by being an energy-efficient one!
We highlighted the differences between blinds and shutters in this table for you. Picking between the two window treatments hinges on your style, your windows, and your budget.
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| Blinds | Shutters |
| Styles | Metal, Hardwood, Faux Wood, Vertical | Polywood and Ovation Wood |
| Durability | Last about 5 years | Last 50+ years |
| Energy Efficiency | Minimum | Maximum |
| Cleaning | Difficult | Easy |
| Special Window Shapes | N/A | Customizable to fit any window shape |
| Home Resale Value | No effect | Increases home resale value |
Between Blinds and Shutters, Which Is the Ideal Solution for You?
Well, that’s up to you to decide. And, when you do, we’ll be here to walk you through the process of designing them for your windows. Call us at 239-208-6577 or fill out the form below to schedule your free in-home consultation today!
