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Beige sheer window shades on living room windows
March 20, 2025

How To Decide Between Different Types Of Window Treatments

Window shades, shutters, and blinds–oh my! The number of window treatments available might seem staggering when selecting one for your Fort Myers home. Knowing the pros and cons of every covering will help you decide the ideal treatment for your windows and unique needs. Read on to explore the different types of window treatments and how they might benefit your family.

The Pros And Cons Of Interior Shutters

White Polywood shutters on a kitchen window

Frequently known as ”plantation” or “louvered shutters,” interior shutters are made of rigid materials. They feature pivoting panels enclosed in a frame affixed to your window. Every panel has a row of adjustable louvers. You can close and open the panels and angle the louvers to your preferred setting.

The Pros

Thanks to their solid construction, plantation shutters are generally able to offer anything you want from a window treatment:

  • An attractive design element for windows
  • Classic colors to coordinate with your decor
  • Total privacy 
  • Superb sunlight management and redirection 
  • Effortless operation
  • Unparalleled longevity and incredible durability from Polywood® shutters 
  • Exact fit for any window size or shape
  • Better energy efficiency than other window treatments 
  • Higher resale value for your home 
  • Safe for children and pets 
  • Multiple optional features to personalize how your shutters operate

The Cons

Interior shutters don’t appeal to everyone. If you would rather have a softer fabric on your windows or want to introduce a burst of color, you should look at some different types of window treatments in Fort Myers. 

The Pros And Cons Of Window Shades 

Blue natural fiber shades on living room windows

Window shades come in various styles, but they generally all utilize a section of fabric hung above the window. Grab the shade’s bottom and lower or raise it to uncover or cover your window. You can also choose powered shades. You control these with a remote control, wall button, or even an app or vocal instruction if you have smart shades. You may also program smart shades to lower or raise according to a schedule. Motorized shades add incredible convenience. 

The Pros

Window shades and automatic shades can do a terrific job of obstructing light and the view into your living area. Their primary advantage is the numerous styles they can be found in. Select from various: 

  • Colors
  • Motifs
  • Fabrics
  • Transparency levels 

The different window shades have their own advantages as well. Roller shades give you a minimalist appearance. Cellular shades bring energy efficiency. Motorized shades of any type offer more convenient management over sunlight and home comfort for windows of any size. 

The Cons

Window shades can’t provide the durability of more permanent window treatments and are usually a challenge to clean. Their textile panels will over time fade from exterior light or could rip, grow mold, or become stained. 

Window shades also give you less flexibility in managing sunlight and privacy than interior shutters. They can leave gaps at the edges or allow shadows to appear if your lights are switched on at night. 

The Pros And Cons Of Window Blinds 

Brown wood window blinds on a large window

Window blinds have a row of slats constructed from a rigid material that you lower over your windows to shield them. You can also adjust the slats closed or open for added command over daylight. 

The Pros

Blinds are made to impede exterior light and sightlines within your Fort Myers home, but their construction and quality determine how beneficial they are. While some blinds are known as insubstantial, premium wood and faux-wood blinds provide enhanced durability and additional benefits like: 

  • Effortless operation
  • Longevity
  • Visual appeal

The Cons

Even the most well-built blinds have some downsides. They can enable daylight to enter around their edges or shift in a strong breeze, exposing your home’s living area to outside viewers. They give you minimal insulation and, due to their design, won’t last as well as sturdier shutters. They can also be challenging to clean. 

The Pros And Cons Of Drapes

White drapes on French doors in a formal dining room

Drapes are created from long, flowing fabric designed to shield windows. Their material is usually thicker than curtains and reinforced for enhanced insulation and darkening performance. Drapes can come in a pair of panels that you pull apart from the center or one larger panel that you slide across windows from the sides. They can suspend from and slide along a curtain rod or a track. 

The Pros

Dense drapes do well at obstructing daylight and air movement when shut. They can be found in many different colors, patterns, and textures to complement your home’s design. They give windows an elegant, timeless feel many people like.

The Cons

Drapes can have a formal, stiff appearance that doesn’t suit every family. They can seem lavish on taller windows but might be challenging to move unless you have motorized options. Drapes also don’t have many options for controlling sunlight and privacy–they’re either open or closed. 

Ask Sunburst About The Different Types Of Window Treatments In Fort Myers

Let the professionals at Sunburst Shutters Fort Myers assist you in finding the perfect window treatment. We offer an impressive variety, and we’ll help you pick a product from the many different types of window treatments in Fort Myers. Give us a call at 239-208-6577 or complete the form below to schedule a free in-home consultation and investigate your possibilities!