The Differences Between Plantation Shutters, Window Blinds, And Window Shades In Southern California

Blinds, Shutters, and shades–oh my! The many different window treatments out there might feel too much when you have to pick one for your Southern California property. Knowing how to differentiate between each variety will assist you in deciding which ones will look and work best on the windows you have. Here, we explain the advantages, disadvantages, and top uses of plantation shutters, window blinds, and window shades in Southern California.

The Pros And Cons Of Louvered Shutters

Interior shutters are constructed of natural wood or faux wood and go into your residence where they are permanently affixed to your window with a shutter frame positioned over the window’s frame. Hinged panels on the inside of the frame swing open for total sunlight and an unobstructed view or fasten securely to cover your window for a dark, private interior. When the panels are secured, you may also rotate the slats for partial sunlight and shift them to divert light where you want it.

The Pros

Interior shutters stand out from other window treatments because of their unique design. Along with their unmistakable look, they also provide several remarkable advantages for Southern California properties:

• Enhance your home with enticing architectural style

• Find them in neutral hues to complement your design at the moment and in the future if you change your home’s look

• Provide absolute privacy and nearly eliminates all light when shut

• Open quickly for sunshine and a sightline to your exterior

• Accommodate any specialized window like half-circles and hexagons

• Shift glare with the slats

• Simple to clean off

• Offer an amazing degree of energy efficiency

• A permanent feature that increases your Southern California property’s value

• Various customizable choices to design the style you want and meet your unique needs

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

• Unsurpassed toughness with resistance to damage due to extreme temps, humidity, and the sun

• Never experiences distorting, cracking, or chipping

• Patented weather sealing for noticeable efficiency and cost-savings

Actually, Polywood shutters are able to do everything you ask a window covering to perform, from enhancing your window’s beauty to obstructing cold drafts and harmful UV rays. They also work and look just as superb decades later as the moment you first got them.

The Cons

Interior shutters’ single drawback is that they come only in neutral tints. Although their adaptable coloring matches all sorts of decor, you’ll need to opt for window shades or blinds if you are determined to install window treatments in vivid colors or patterns.

How To Incorporate Louvered Shutters

You can use interior shutters on any window within your Southern California home. Hand-tailored shutters fit any shape and size of window without sacrificing functionality. Put them on circular, angled, and French door windows just as effortlessly as standard windows.

You are also able to position Polywood shutters in any area. Choose them for their longevity and efficiency in wet bathrooms, cold attic dormers, or sun-splashed south-facing rooms. Shutters are even a great choice in family spaces and little ones’ rooms as they don’t have cords that create a safety risk.

The Pros And Cons Of Window Shades

Window shades are available in many contasting styles, but, in general, all feature a layer of fabric positioned above your window. You generally pull the material in the direction you want to enclose and uncover your window via the bottom pull bar or corded mechanism, but you can find motorized shades as well.

Window shades don’t have louvers to manage illumination and privacy, but lower opacity or less tightly woven fiber shades can let light into darkened spaces while obstructing the view into your interior. Or you might use top-down/bottom-up styles that let you open up the upper part of your window for sunshine while protecting your privacy at the bottom.

The Pros

Southern California property owners like window shades because they can be found in a range of materials, styles, and colors. You’ll discover shades with standard colors and vivid tints, solid color or bold patterns, see-through or blackout types, neatly folded fabric or woven fibers, and various additional possibilities. If you want a unique accent when overhauling a room, window shades in the ideal color or pattern can enhance your ambience and encompass your windows.

The differing window shade styles have their own benefits too. Roller shades have a sleek feel. Cellular shades are energy efficient. Tumble shades are smart choices for French doors. And sheer shades give you a nice blend of filtered light and privacy.

The Cons

Window shades don’t last as long as rigid window coverings and may be a chore to clean. Their soft materials will eventually fade from the sun or might pull apart, grow mold, or get stained. You should anticipate replacing window shades in less than five years as they wear out or you alter your decor.

Window shades also provide less flexibility in adjusting sunlight and privacy than interior shutters. Even drawing them up part-way means you lose your privacy on a portion of the window and you’re unable to modify how light enters in the open section. And many window shades will display shadows when you have the lights on inside during the night. And square window shades in Southern California force you to choose between masking a non-standard window’s uncommon size or leaving the window uncovered permanently.

How To Use Window Shades

Many Southern California homeowners opt for window shades if they prefer bold or patterned window coverings to match their decor. They are best suited for less occupied rooms where they can avoid damage from persistent use.

You might also utilize various kinds of window shades for their particular purposes. Select cellular shades to help block exterior airflow. Slim roller shades work in spots where you don’t want a larger window treatment. Blackout shades stop sunlight so you can sleep. Woven fiber shades incorporate an element of nature to your property. And remember, custom shades will always operate more smoothly and look better on your windows than off-the-rack 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 conceal them. Blinds can be used with cords or cordless functionality. Along with covering windows with blinds, you may also turn the slats with a rod for extra command over sunlight.

The Pros

The advantages of window blinds depend on the materials they’re fabricated with. In theory, all blinds shield windows to impede outside light and views within your Southern California residence, but their type of material and construction play a big role how well they do this. You may see light and outlines of people with low-grade vinyl blinds. Metal and vinyl blinds also curve and snap without much difficulty, which creates unattractive openings that allow sunlight. For these blinds, their bargain pricing and short lifespan make them suitable chiefly as short-term window products.

Quality natural wood and faux-wood blinds utilize more robust slats that cover windows much better. You won’t see past them, and they don’t break quickly. The natural wood and composite components, joined with the pleasant straight edges of the slats, provide a more elegant appearance as well. Superior wood and faux-wood blinds can be found in classic neutral colors that work well in any room.

Blinds allow you to direct the quantity of light that comes through your windows. You are able to move them up for an unrestricted view and complete sunshine or close them for privacy and an absence of light. When the blinds are drawn down, you may also rotate the slats for a limited view and a bit sunshine.

The Cons

Wood and faux-wood blinds look similar to louvered shutters but aren’t as tough. The cords intertwined with the slats may fray over the long haul, and wood slats can become misshapen and splinter from an abundance of moisture or intense temperature changes. Blinds also have a fair number of elements that can make them difficult to clean, and blinds with pull cords could get twisted up as you try to use them.

Even though customized blinds will suit your windows in terms of size, they won’t have the total protection along the perimeter that shutters do since they aren’t built into a frame. You’ll also find that both window blinds and shades in Southern California will swing and knock against your window if jostled or impacted by a breeze. That motion opens a sightline to your interior and allows exterior light.

How To Incorporate Window Blinds

High-end blinds look great in any area on square or rectangle windows. Only use waterproof faux-wood blinds in humid areas like baths and kitchens. And motorized or cordless blinds offer safer products if you have children or animals.

Sunburst Has An Incredible Selection From Plantation Shutters To Window Blinds And Shades In Southern California

Need to know more about the the variances between interior shutters, window shades, and window blinds in Southern California? Sunburst Shutters Southern CA boasts the most comprehensive assortment of exceptional window treatments in town and will is pleased to answer all of your questions. We offer complimentary in-home consultations to demonstrate our products and show you which window treatments make the most sense for your residence. Arrange yours by dialing 888-611-2474 or submitting the form on this page.