The Best Custom Shutters, Blinds & Shades!
Proudly Serving the Greater Miami Area
Hidden tilt shutters in a kitchen

Benefits of Hidden Tilt Rods For Your Plantation Shutters in Miami

November 18, 2019

 If you're in the market for plantation shutters, you’ll have some decisions to make. Do I need real wood shutters or faux wood shutters? What size louver should I pick? What paint or stain on my shutters will look better with my home?

One option you may not be aware of is the decision between a standard front-mount tilt rod versus a hidden or rear-mount tilt rod. Let’s look at some benefits and drawbacks of hidden tilt rods, and if you should consider a hidden tilt for your shutters in Miami.

What Are Hidden and Rear-Mounted Tilt Rods?

No doubt you are acquainted with traditional plantation shutters with the tilt rod attached to the front of the shutter. When you need to adjust the plantation shutters to bring in more or less light, you just use the tilt rod and adjust it vertically to tilt the louvers.

A rear-mount tilt rod is a fine metal strip on the back of the louver that is barely visible from the front. When you slant one louver, all the louvers move at the same time.

Some shutters have a hidden tilt rod that places a mechanism in the side of the treatment to control how the louver’s tilt. These kinds of hidden tilt rods are more fragile and harder to fix, which is why our shutters use hidden tilt rods as rear-mount only.

Polywood shutters with hidden tilt rods in MiamiPolywood shutters with hidden tilt rods in Miami 

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

Hidden or rear-mount tilt rods offer a few benefits over conventional front-mounted tilt rods.

  1. Contemporary look - Plantation shutters with hidden tilt rods complement interiors that have a modern or contemporary design because of their clean lines.

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

What Are Some Drawbacks of Hidden Tilt Rods?

Hidden or rear-mounted tilt rods may not work for you. Let’s look at some drawbacks to hidden tilt rods.

  1. Shutters with hidden tilt rods might appear too modern for some homeowners - Many homeowners in Miami want the familiar plantation shutter style and design with the tilt rod front and center. The front tilt rod provides more shape and substance to your shutters, versus shutters with a hidden tilt rod where the design is more streamlined.

  2. Some homeowners find front-facing tilt rods more user-friendly - Front-facing tilt rods can be easier for some homeowners to operate. You just hold onto the tilt rod and adjust the shutters as much as you need, versus having to tilt the louvers themselves.

What Homeowners 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 personal taste and your room’s decor. If you live in a conventionally designed home, we advocate front-mounted tilt rods. If your rooms are more modern, you might want to choose rear-mounted tilt rods.

Things like pets or kids could also be part of the rear-mount discussion. We’ve had many customers in Miami who own home-based daycares ask for hidden or rear-mount tilt rods so that there’s less chance of a child ripping off a front-mounted tilt rod.

Looking For Help Picking the Perfect Plantation Shutter For Your Windows?

If you’re interested in buying plantation shutters in Miami but need some assistance, give us a call at 305-520-7515 or complete the form below to arrange a free in-home consultation. During the consultation, we’ll walk you through a variety of shutter options - including your tilt rod options - so you can see them in your own home.