Difference Between Blinds, Shutters and Shades?

by AngryFarmer | Jun 29, 2021 | Window Shutters, blinds

When exploring the best window treatments for your home, one must consider the functional differences between the products available and the desired use of the window. Choosing the right window treatment is not only about enhancing your room for the best look, it is also about light control, function, and desired privacy.

First, consider if you need a room darkening or light filtering window treatment. If blocking all of the light is your goal, then roller shades with side channels are the best choice. Wood and Faux blinds are great for privacy and controlling the light, but they are not as room darkening as other options. Plantation shutters would be another good option, but shutters still allow a small amount of light to come through.

Secondly, ask yourself how important is the ease of operation of your window covering. Blinds and shutters have slats or louvers that can be easily be tilted to control the light and offer privacy with just a touch of the hand. Most window shades will need to be raised or lowered to control the light or to offer a view outside. Window shades are available in manual operation or motorization, depending on your priorities and how much you are willing to spend for convenience.

The cost for window blinds, shades, or shutters can be significantly different. Faux blinds and mini blinds are usually the least expensive of all of the window coverings. . Then, wood blinds, roller shades, and cellular shades come in second. Roman Shades and plantation shutters come in third and are close in price. Hunter Douglas is a manufacturer that is world-renowned for its innovative products and patented design. When choosing their from their wide selection of window coverings, expect to pay more than the competitors.

Let’s take an in-depth look at each type of window treatment.

Blinds

Blinds have 1″, 2″, or 2.5″ slats that are made of wood. aluminum or a synthetic (faux) material. Also known as Venetian blinds, the blind has a headrail that contains a mechanism that enables the user to lift and lower the slats. Blinds have options for tilting the slats with either cords, wands, or motorization. Cordless blinds are recommended for child safety. To raise a cordless blind, just lift the bottom rail to the desired position. Wands are used instead of cords to tilt the blind slats open or closed.

Shades

Shades are “soft” window covering, meaning they are made of a soft material or woven fabric. There are many styles of window shades to choose from. Shades are a good choice if you want a lighter-weight option for lifting and lowering daily. You may choose to operate your shade with a continuous cord, standard cord, cordless, or motorization. Motorized shades will cost approximately $300 more per window.

Roller Shades are sheets of fabric that roll to the top of the window and offer an unobstructed view of the outside. Solar Shades are a great option if you want to see outside and also have protection from the heat or harmful sun rays at the same time. However, solar shades do not offer privacy at night when the lights are on inside. Roman shades are folds of fabric that can be stacked at the top of the window for a more decorative look or rolled into the headrail for an open view to the outside. Roman shades are a more decorative window dressing with many fabric options and opacity choices.

Honeycomb shades, also known as cellular shades are known to be the best shade to insulate your windows from the heat or cold. The honeycomb construction acts as a barrier to protect your home from the cold or warm air entering your home. Cellular shades fold up tightly to the top of the window, offering a clear view outside. These shades are usually made of spun polyester and have the look of a pleated shade.

Woven wood shades are made of materials such as bamboo, jute, rattan, or natural grasses that are woven into material with natural variation and rich texture. Room darkening and light filtering liners are available since this product can be sheer and need additional shading for privacy. Woven wood shades are considered to be a roman shade because when raised, the shade folds up to the top of the window giving a decorative look like a roman. You can get creative with your personal style and taste when choosing shades as a window fashion. Whether you choose honeycomb, roller, solar, cellular or woven wood, the sky is undoubtedly the limit with this kind of window treatment.

Shutters

Interior Plantation Shutters are window shutters that are made of either wood or poly type materials and are designed to last a lifetime. Plantation shutters are the most durable application for your windows. Window shutters have panels that are permanently attached to a frame and are hinged to open like a door. They have large horizontal slats called louvers and are offered in larger sizes than blinds, 2.5″ 3.5″ and 4.5″ louver sizes. The louvers can be tilted open or closed tightly, enabling better light control and privacy than a blind with slats.

Bottom Line

The end conclusion when choosing between blinds, shades, and shutters is the personal style for your space combined with the desired function each window treatment provides. No matter which choice you make, researching the benefits and functions will provide an outcome that will assure a long-lasting and stunning result.

How to Install Window Shutters

by AngryFarmer | Apr 15, 2021 | Window Shutters

Doors and windows are often overlooked aspects of a house if you are planning on buying a house. This practice is fair enough until you have moved into the place. Now, you feel that the windows seem bare, or even morbid, and can use some touch of care. This is when window shutters come into the picture. Window shutters are great at keeping wind and dirt away from your house and keep the indoors clean. If you pay attention, you can get a great visual boost for your interior with attractive shutters. You can hire a handyman to do the job for you but it can be done, even when you have little to no experience.

In this post, we will go through a complete guide on how to perfectly install window shutters with no hassle.

Measurements

Proper measurement is the key when it comes to DIYing your way into a shutter installation. Since shutters are designed to fit inside the window casing, you need to be sure of how you are going to hang the shutters in their place to avoid any inconvenience.

For exterior shutters, they are pinned to the trim of the window. In turn, they turn into the window opening when they are closed on the bolt. The whole mechanism is kept in place using a catch, hook, or tieback.

Selection & Preparation Of Shutters

There are a number of types and forms of shutters that you can choose, from online or from your convenience store. Some are “ready-to-go” while others need some sort of preparation before you put them on the wall. If you are planning on customizing your shutters in some ways, like painting, make sure you give yourself a day to sort this out before going about installing the hardware.

Shutter Shimming

The safe way to avoid any miscalculation is by shimming your shutters on the wall. The best way to do this is by placing one shutter on the wall and then fasten both its head and tail with the wall. Then, take another one and fasten its flanks. Once it is done, proceed to the next step which is the installation of hardware.

Hardware Installation

When you put both shutters firmly in place, it is time to get the pivoting devices, such as metal tiebacks and hinges. Go from top to bottom and then unmount the shutters from the wall and complete the rest of the process of installing hardware. It includes drilling pilot holes in the top and bottom rail of the shutters and then screwing the strap hinges into the position.

Hang The Shutters

Once everything is in its place, it is time to hang the shutters back in their place. Screw-in latches and puts the tiebacks and hinges in their place. Make sure there are no tangled cords in the shutters which could cause trouble opening or closing them. When you follow this step-by-step guide, there is no way you feel any problem while installing your shutters.