Choosing Shutters or Blinds For Your Home? Follow these tips

Keep reading to learn more about how to pick the perfect shutters for your home

Plantation shutters are versatile, reliable, durable and beautiful. For this reason, they are becoming one of the most popular solution for homeowners who are seeking to optimise their lighting control needs. Unlike traditional blinds, shutters allow users to control the flow of light more accurately, from total darkness, to open and bright. For this reason, shutters are deemed significantly more effective, and are often seen as a smart investment.

If you are considering which shutters to buy for your home, you are probably wondering about the difference between the various offerings on the market. Keep reading to learn more about plantation shutters, and find out more about what would suit your particular needs the best possible way!

Cost and maintenance.

There are many different types of shutters: some of them are luxurious and stunning, while others are cheaper and more understated. If you are looking for a set of shutters that will beautifully complement the aesthetics of your home, you should definitely consider a beautiful wooden model. Some of the best shutters out there are made with prized timber varieties, and they look absolutely stunning in most scenarios.

If you are interested in any of the above, be prepared to shell out a little bit more: shutters made with fine timber and unique wood choices are generally more expensive!
In addition to that, high-end timber shutters might actually be a bit more difficult and time-consuming to clean. These particular products don’t really work well with chemicals, and they can’t be soaked in water, because it might warp the wood or cause it to swell. Household cleaning products are quite hazardous as well because they might actually cause discoloration or other damage to the shutters.

At the end of the day, the best way to take care of fine timber shutters is to go back to basics. Arm yourself with a brush, a lint-free cloth, a slightly damp cloth to remove stains…and a bit of patience!

While maintenance is not really a huge hassle, it might certainly turn off some people. If you are the kind of person who doesn’t really want to clean shutters too regularly, and if you prefer functionality over aesthetics, you might consider cheaper alternatives. Some shutters are made out of more affordable materials, such as Polywood composites (not to be confused with “plywood”). While they aren’t as luxurious as timber shutters, they are a cost-effective option for rooms such as the kitchen or the bathroom, or even for outdoor use. In these applications, shutters usually wear out a little bit more, and for this reason, some homeowners prefer to spend more money on great shutters for their bedrooms and use more affordable ones for other areas of their home. This way, they can benefit from the amazing functionality and added benefit of shutters, while saving some money and reducing their maintenance time.

Shutters that aren’t made with prized materials can normally be cleaned with household chemicals or soap, although it is still a good idea to make sure that there is no discoloration happening when you do clean them!

Shutters or Blinds, Think About The Aesthetics and Design

Shutters aren’t just there to fulfil a purpose or a function: they are a very important part of your home, and you will see them every day! Looks can be important too, and it’s essential to pick a type of shutter that really suits your environment, including in terms of color. You can search the web for inspiration, consult an interior decorator, or even use your best judgment and taste to make up your mind if you already have a very clear idea of what you really want for your home.

If you pick the right color, shutters can become a phenomenal aesthetic addition to your home. They can either enhance the natural look or your home or create beautiful, clever color contrast if you prefer something that stands out. For instance, some homeowners love to use natural wooden or greyscale shades for a more understated look, while others prefer to use vibrant pastel-like color shades, with a stunning Mediterranean feel that appears bright and warm. Others love to decorate their shutter with custom art, such as floral patterns or other motifs. The possibilities are truly endless, and ultimately, down to your personal taste.

Tilting Orientation

One of the most important aspect of your shutters is the tilting orientation. In other words, this is the way in which the slats in your shutter will tilt/turn to open or close. In general, there are two main options: middle-front or side-tilt.
The middle-front is usually the most popular choice, as many homeowners really love the way it looks. On the other hand, others prefer a more open look and decide to go for the second option instead. Before you commit to a purchase, it’s important that you make up your mind on which tilt orientation will work best for you.

Shutters are becoming hugely widespread, and as the demand for them increases, the huge variety is increasing as well. A few years ago, shutters were a niche product, almost exclusively aimed at luxury homeowners. Today, the market is very diverse and fulfills a much broader niche, meaning that you can afford shutters, even if you don’t really want to spend a premium budget on a luxury model, but still want to reap the many benefits that shutters can bring to your home.