Window Blinds vs. Plantation Shutters: How to Choose What’s Best for You

Choosing Which Window Treatment is Best for You

Both blinds and shutters serve the purpose of controlling the light in your home and providing more privacy. However, there are a lot of varying factors to consider when deciding between the two. The window treatments you choose for your windows impacts the look and feel of the rooms in your home. It can be challenging to determine what will complement the vibe of your living space. Thankfully, Budget Blinds specializes in affordable solutions for both blinds and Plantation shutters, as well as various other window treatments.

Shutters and blinds, alike, play an important role in the interior design of your home. Choosing which option to go with depends on a few key factors: personal preference, budget and placement. This article will help you to determine how much Plantation shutters cost, the benefits of both Plantation shutters and blinds, and the appropriate setting or settings for each window treatment. Here are some simple guidelines to keep in mind when comparing products.

Guidelines for Getting Started

Whether this is your first home or you’ve had lots of experience picking and choosing window treatments, it never hurts to keep in mind a few key guidelines when deciding on window coverings. First, it is important to not cut corners on your new investment; purchase the best window coverings you can afford. There is a common misconception that blinds are always the best choice, because they appear cheaper than shutters. When considering how much Plantation shutters cost, it’s worth considering the upkeep and longevity of window treatments, as sometimes shutters can be the most cost-effective, long-term. Quality products and professional installation from our experts at Budget Blinds will guarantee your window treatments last longer and will end up saving you money over the lifespan of your home.

Second, take time with your choice. Don’t necessarily go with your first instinct. Your blinds or shutters are something that you will look at and look through every day. Really consider what custom features you’ll want to use on a daily basis, like cordless for families with small children, or motorized control for rooms where you won’t want to get up from when you’re cozy and settled or where you have hard-to-reach windows. It’s always wise to choose quality products that fit your needs and reflect your unique personal aesthetic.

Third, don’t forget to ask for help. Our designers at Budget Blinds are the experts, so let us help you. There is no need to invest deep research and pull your hair out over deciding on window treatments. There are many textures, styles, materials, and variations of window treatments to choose from, and we’re more than happy to talk to you about your options and help you make an informed decision on choosing between Plantation shutters vs. blinds.

Benefits of Plantation Shutters

Before reviewing the benefits of Plantation shutters, it is important to know what Plantation shutters are. As with most shutters, they are solid and stable window coverings with louvers of different sizes. Plantation shutters, specifically, offer a traditional and classic look to any home. They also have louvers that are wider, providing a larger amount of light distribution, making them a very popular design.

Plantation shutters add a lot of texture to the design of a home. One of the many benefits of Plantation shutters is that they can be mounted inside or outside of the window frame. It is common to choose an inside mount in a smaller room where you want to maximize space, and an outside mount for a larger room.

Typically, homeowners prefer neutral and natural colors, like a clean wood finish or white for a traditional look with Plantation shutters. Conversely, one of the benefits of Plantation shutters is their versatility because they can be painted. By painting Plantation shutters with bright colors, you can really open up a room and personalize your space. Another versatile aspect of Plantation shutters is that they can be sized to fit either your entire window or half of your window. By featuring Plantation shutters in just the bottom half of your window, you may decide to add a custom valance to the top to create additional texture and add more warmth and coziness to your space.

Many people do not consider the maintenance and care that go into window treatments when purchasing. It’s good to keep in mind how frequently you’ll need to access your window treatments for cleaning.  With large louvers, typical of Plantation shutters, less time cleaning will be needed given the easier reach and larger amount of space between each louver.

Perhaps the best feature of Plantation shutters that make this window treatment such a popular choice for homeowners is that they really become a part of the room instead of just blending into the background. Whether it’s crisp-and-clean white, or painted a vibrant hue, Plantation shutters can be a beautiful focal point of your room.  In addition, since shutters can be made to fit any  window of any size, they help with decoration in your space by adding texture to odd-shaped or difficult to decorate rooms.

Benefits of Blinds

 Blinds are a timeless window treatment that will fit any home style and create the light control and temperature regulation that you need to be comfortable in your space. Blinds add clean, straight lines to your décor and always enhance a modern feel to any type of design. So, whether you have a traditional, rustic, bohemian, or modern home, blinds will add a polish and look that really ties the whole space together.

 Another benefit of blinds is that they come in a plethora of materials. Wood blinds provide an earth-rich and classic vibe to a home, while neutral tones in white or beige can create a more industrial or modern feel. Blinds also come in different colors, fabrics, and patterns which can add flair or texture to a home. The versatility of blinds makes them a great choice for most homes.

 When choosing between blinds and Plantation shutters, those with smaller rooms and less space tend to lean towards blinds. Blinds are ideal for smaller spaces and can be paired with drapes or curtains to create a cozy ambiance feel in even the smallest rooms.

Cost of Plantation Shutters

A challenge that many people experience when making the choice of Plantation shutters vs. blinds is the. But how much do Plantation shutters cost, really? Generally, blinds have a lower price tag compared to shutters, but there are long-term aspects that can balance out that initial cost.

Thinking long-term and about window treatment replacements, Plantation shutters win out over blinds. Blinds typically last 4-5 years, whereas shutters can last 25 years or more with the proper care.

It is also important to consider the unparalleled energy efficiency that Plantation shutters provide your home. During summer heat spells, shutters are superior in blocking harmful UV rays from spilling in and making your rooms stuffy and hot. You will also be able to save on energy bills, especially in winter, because of the temperature-regulating nature of Plantation shutters.

Plantation shutters also increase the resale value of homes compared to blinds since they are permanently affixed. The traditional and classy look of shutters improves the appeal to potential buyers when you decide to sell your home. So, in the long run, you will be getting more return for your initial investment when choosing Plantation shutters over blinds.

How to Decide on Plantation Shutters vs. Blinds

Both Plantation shutters and blinds are excellent options, and each has different advantages when installed in your home. Both have fantastic features for making the most of the light in your space. It’s a good rule of thumb that blinds can be more optimized in smaller rooms and shutters can be best displayed in larger rooms.  However, it is up to you and your personal preference when deciding how to style your home.

Clearly, blinds and Plantation shutters are both excellent choices for a number of reasons. If you’re having any trouble at all deciding between the two, your local Budget Blinds design expert will  walk you through the process and give you professional advice on style, color, and texture for making the ultimate decision between Plantation shutters vs. blinds.