Blinds vs Shutters
Given the choice between blinds and shutters, which window treatment is the right solution for your San Jose home? Here’s how to find out: compare them!
Blinds are a traditional window treatment that have been covering windows in San Jose for as long as anyone can remember. And shutters are an in-vogue window treatment that has burst into popularity in the past 20 years. Let’s explore how these two window treatment veterans go up against each other when it comes to durability, energy efficiency, cleaning, special window shapes, and home resale value.
Styles
Blinds come in metal, hardwood, faux wood, and vertical styles. With over 300 colors and textures to select from, blinds allow you to match your window treatments to your style –right down to the pattern.
Plantation shutters are available in Polywood® and Ovation® wood. We supply Polywood in three premium white paint colors – and a custom paint color program for tints of beige, yellow, and grey. Ovation wood shutters come in 28 wood stains and 11 paint colors.
Durability
When properly maintained, blinds last an average of 5 years. However, 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 made to order mounting, seal off the influence of the external temperature. In fact, Polywood plantation shutters insulate up to 70% better than equivalent 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 set up 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 fit rectangular-shaped windows, not arched, circular, octagonal, or triangular windows. And blinds would only hide the exquisite window you fell in love with when you bought the house, anyway. Shutters, conversely, can be custom-built to fit your windows exactly, regardless of their shape, giving you access to the view and control over privacy – while accentuating your specialty-shaped windows’ elegance.
Home Resale Value
When your home is appraised for resale, all the permanent fixtures are examined. Blinds can be moved from one house to another, however shutters are custom-built and become part of your windows and home. As a matter of fact, they boost 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. Choosing between the two window treatments is based 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 Perfect Solution for You?
It comes down to personal preference. And, when you’ve decided, we’ll be here to guide you through the process of designing them for your windows. Call us at 916-542-1305 or fill out the form below to schedule your free in-home consultation today!
