Blinds vs Shutters
Given the choice between blinds and shutters, which window treatment is the right solution for your Gainesville home? We recommend you compare them!
Blinds are a traditional window treatment that have been covering windows in Gainesville for as long as memory serves. 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 fare on durability, energy efficiency, cleaning, special window shapes, and home resale value.
Styles
Blinds are available in metal, hardwood, faux wood, and vertical styles. With over 300 colors and textures to pick from, blinds let you match your window treatments to your style –right down to the pattern.
Plantation shutters are available in Polywood® and Ovation® wood. We furnish Polywood in three premium white paint colors – and a custom paint color program for shades 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 effects of the external climate. As a matter of fact, 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 set up with a hidden or rear-mount tilt rod, just tilt the large louvers back with your hand and wipe the louvers, unobstructed.
Special Window Shapes
Traditional blinds can only be mounted on rectangular-shaped windows, not arched, circular, octagonal, or triangular windows. And blinds would only hide the charming window you fell in love with when you bought the house, anyway. Shutters, conversely, can be custom-fashioned to fit your windows just right, regardless of their shape, letting you have access to the view and control over privacy – while complementing your specialty-shaped windows’ elegance.
Home Resale Value
When your home is evaluated for resale, all the permanent fixtures are considered. Blinds can be moved from one house to another, however shutters are custom-built and become part of your windows and home. In fact, they boost the value of your home not only by being a permanent asset, but also by being an energy-efficient one!
We summed up the differences between blinds and shutters in this table for you. Selecting 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 all depends on you and your taste. And, when you’ve picked one, we’ll be here to guide you through the process of designing them for your windows. Call us at 813-602-5966 or fill out the form below to schedule your free in-home consultation today!
