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Choosing Blinds or Shutters

With so many types of window treatments available, you may be wondering which is suitable for you. If you’ve narrowed down your options between blinds and shutters, we can help you make an informed decision that will be best for your home.

Parkland® Wood Blinds near Amarillo, Texas (TX) choosing other Hunter Douglas blinds or shutters.

Both window treatments have their benefits and drawbacks, but we’ll start with the benefits of blinds. Blinds offer excellent variable light control by simply adjusting the slats. They are easy to pair with other window coverings for a stylish, layered look. Blinds are available in various colors, fabrics, and styles to fit almost any interior decor. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, Hunter Douglas custom blinds are easy to have made.

Drawbacks of Blinds

While blinds are durable, they are not quite as robust as shutters and have a shorter lifespan. Blinds also tend to have thinner slats which require more effort when cleaning and performing maintenance. Placing Venetian blinds in too many rooms can also overwhelm the eye with too many thin, horizontal lines. The cords that come with manually operated blinds can also pose a safety hazard to young children and pets.

Benefits of Shutters

Shutters offer a timeless, elegant appearance. They’re a very durable window treatment and withstand daily wear and tear with ease. Shutters also lack any cords or chains that can pose a safety threat. You can buy shutters in a variety of materials, including hardwood and faux wood, making them ideal for any time of environment. Another perk of shutters is the superior ventilation and light control they offer. Tilt the louvers to adjust incoming light, or open one side while leaving the other closed. You can also enjoy leaving your shutters open without having to hear them flapping in the breeze.

Drawbacks of Shutters

Despite their many benefits, shutters are not a perfect solution for everyone. Shutters are a more expensive option and require more time to manufacture and install. The weight and size of shutters make them unsuitable for certain window styles. They are also less versatile with blinds and not as easy to pair with other window treatments.

Considerations to Make

The more information you have about blinds and shutters, the more confusing the process of choosing can become. There are four important considerations you should make that will help ensure you make the right choice for your home.

Blinds tend to have a lower price point at the initial purchase, which is a big selling point. However, even impeccably maintained blinds will need to be replaced every 5-10 years, and the cost of those replacements will add up. Shutters, on the other hand, can last up to five decades with proper care. Shutters are generally more energy-efficient and add to your home’s resale value.

What’s the maintenance like? The slats of blinds are almost always thinner than the louvers of shutters. This means less space between individual slats, which makes cleaning more difficult.

What level of light control will you get? It may be difficult to gain the level of room-darkening you need with blinds. The cords required to adjust blinds leave small holes in the blinds that allow light to enter. Hunter Douglas offers a de-Light® option to eliminate cord holes for blinds, but the majority of blinds will have cord holes.

Do you need ample style options? Blinds are available in a vast array of colors, materials, and styles, while shutters are available in much fewer choices. Keep this in mind if you plan to remodel or redecorate shortly after purchasing shutters or blinds.

Contact Us

Are you still undecided between blinds and shutters? We’re here to help! We carry the full line of Hunter Douglas window treatment products, including the innovative PowerView® Automation line. Give us a call at (806) 418-8385 to schedule your consultation. We offer professional measuring and installation services to ensure your new window treatments fit the first time. Our showroom is located in Amarillo, TX, and we are proud to serve the Texas Panhandle, including Amarillo, Canyon, and beyond.