Interior window shutters, also known as plantation shutters or louvered shutters, simply look great in just about any room setting. They compliment a wide variety of room and home decors. If you are considering window treatment options for your home you owe it to yourself to take a long look at plantation shutters. The following, which are in no particular order, are a list of top reasons you should consider interior window shutters for your home.
First, they look good from the inside and outside of your home. I am a runner and am always running up and down the streets in my neighborhood. One of the things I notice about homes is the types of window treatments they use. Plantation shutters, in my opinion, are one of the most attractive types of window blinds. They increase a home’s curb appeal, which takes me to my second point.
Interior shutters can increase your home’s value. So, not only are they beautiful, plantation shutters can add to the appreciation of your home. In my opinion this helps to significantly offset the higher initial cost of plantation shutters – pay a little more now and get a lot back if you ever sell your home or tap into the equity.
They are durable – almost a lifetime purchase. A high quality set of blinds, in any of the available materials: wood, wood composite or vinyl, are built to last. Wood plantation shutters are built like a nice piece of furniture and with a little care should last a lifetime. The vinyl and wood composite shutters are even more durable and will resist fading, warping, cracking and UV rays, perfect for hot and humid rooms or areas.
They are energy efficient. Surprise, I bet you didn’t know that. When fully closed interior shutters add a surprising amount of insulation to your window. Though, not quite as much as cellular shades, they are still one of the better choices when considering window treatments and their effect on your home’s insulation. This is due to the fact that shutters are quite substantial, unlike many other types of window blinds and shades.
They are highly unlikely to go out of style. Plantation shutters have been around a long time. They are one of the classic window treatments and have stood the test of time, public opinion and changing fashion trends. So, you can rest assured that they won’t be like those polyester pants you bought in the late 70s which are now so silly looking that you wouldn’t admit to wearing them.
They are an easy way to add a high-level of sophistication and style to your home. So, if you are not the budding interior decorator, plantation shutters are a rock solid choice for most homes. They can literally transform a room from so-so to beautiful. They also compliment most furniture and wall colors.
Interior shutters are easy to operate and highly versatile in terms of opacity or opaqueness. Open them up wide for maximum light or shut them completely for significant privacy and room darkening. The louvers can be opened or closed easily with the divider rail or you can swing the shutters wide open if you so desire.
Wood blinds are a classic window treatments choice. They are durable, easy to use and attractive. They also go well with a wide variety of interior decors. But some people may not know that there are faux wood blinds that offer the same looks, functionality with increased durability at a reduced cost. Faux wood blinds have other distinct advantages.
First, a little background information, faux wood blinds come in two forms: composite wood and vinyl, a type of PVC plastic. The composite wood variety is made from a blend of real hardwoods and plastic polymers to form highly durable slats and other components that make up the blind. PVC blinds are made exclusively from a vinyl polymer.
In terms of price, the vinyl variety is the cheapest, wood composite is second and wood blinds are the most expensive. Comparing the same brand, same size, with no extra options, the price break-outs were as follows: 40” x 64” vinyl blinds were approximately $78.00, 40” x 64” composite wood blinds were approximately $101.00, and the 40” x 64” wood blinds were approximately $119.00. These prices are meant for comparison sake only to illustrate the differences.
In terms of weight, wood blinds are the lightest weights of the three, wood composites are the second lightest and vinyl blinds are the heaviest. This is an important consideration mostly when you are ordering fairly large blinds.
One of the nice things about faux woods is that they are very durable. They will not fade, crack, warp or split, making them perfect for rooms with heat and humidity, such as bathrooms and kitchens. This durability is often important in kid’s rooms. Composite wood blinds are the most durable. They have a hard coating that is highly scratch resistant. That is not to say the PVC blinds are not durable, just not as scratch resistant as the composites.
To help you further differentiate when you should buy composites over PVC blinds, here are some important details. If you are trying to match up other wood stains from your home’s décor, composite blinds offer the closest wood-like grains and stains. So, if you are trying to match up other wood blinds or other wood elements with faux woods, composites would be the best choice. Vinyl blinds do come in wood-colored stains but, in my opinion, are best suited to non-wood colors, like white, beige, etc and these tend to be the most common applications. One final point on the issue of choices, both vinyl blinds and composite blinds can come with in a textured or smooth finish. The best way to get a sense for these differences is to order swatches.
One last consideration, one of growing importance, is the issue of eco-friendliness. If you are concerned about the environment, cutting down trees, and recycling than composite wood blinds may be the best choice. Comfortex now offers an eco-friendly line of faux wood composites. These are made with real wood along with recycled man-made materials. I, for one, applaud Comfortex for addressing this issue by launching a line of eco-friendly blinds. I hope that this is the beginning of a trend within the industry.