Blinds vs Shutters
When it comes to blinds and shutters, which window treatment is the perfect solution for your Miami home? There’s only one way to find out: compare them!
Blinds are a traditional window treatment that have been covering windows in Miami for as long as sliced bread has been around. And shutters are a modern window treatment that has burst into popularity in the past 20 years. Let’s take a look at 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 pick 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. 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 custom mounting, seal off the effects of the external temperature. Actually, Polywood plantation shutters insulate up to 70% better than comparable traditional wood shutters – and 1600% better than aluminum blinds!
Cleaning
Dusting the thin slats of blinds can be cumbersome – especially with the cords that run through from top to bottom. When plantation shutters are installed with a hidden or rear-mount tilt rod, you simply 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 mask the beautiful window you fell in love with when you purchased the house, anyway. Shutters, conversely, can be custom-fashioned to fit your windows just right, regardless of their shape, giving you access to the view and control over privacy – while complementing your specialty-shaped windows’ charm.
Home Resale Value
When your home is appraised for resale, all the permanent fixtures are considered. Blinds can be moved from one house to another, whereas shutters are custom-designed and become part of your windows and home. As a matter of fact, they add value to 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. Selecting 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?
It all depends on you and your taste. And, when you’ve picked one, we’ll be here to explain the process of designing them for your windows. Call us at 305-520-7515 or fill out the form below to schedule your free in-home consultation today!
