Are you looking for curtains that are aesthetically pleasing, add privacy and protect from the sun? Then blinds are your best bet.
They’re a great way to add old-world charm to your home decor without losing the function of covering your windows. If you need shutters to complement a traditional interior, wood shutters are ideal, while café shutters are the perfect solution to elevate your Scandinavian-inspired home. In fact, shutters can match the architectural style of each home. To find out your options, we’ve prepared this short guide. Read it carefully before deciding which type of blinds is right for your home.
What are the different types of blinds?
With so many types of blinds, choosing a style can be overwhelming. This is a material- and style-based buyer’s guide to make choosing the right style easier.
Material
1) Wooden shutters
Wood Shutters Blinds are a classic curtain that never goes out of style. Made from high-quality hardwood, they add rustic charm to windows and work wonders with farmhouse-style decor. Available in a variety of stains and finishes, these curtains are a treat for the eyes. They’re a great way to block out the harsh sun in summer and the cold in winter, making your home more energy efficient.
However, they are prone to warping and cracking with sudden changes in temperature.
2) Composite wood shutters
Composite wood or faux wood shutters mimic the look but alleviate the warping problems of solid wood shutters. Made of engineered wood wrapped in a vinyl or PVC coating, they are durable enough to withstand high humidity, making them a suitable choice for the kitchen. They are low maintenance, affordable, and protect your furniture and floors from the sun. One of their main features is that they are less susceptible to termites and can be installed on all kinds of windows, regardless of their size and shape.
3) Vinyl Blinds
If you are looking for economical and lightweight blinds, vinyl blinds are your best option.
- They have PVC or Aluminium Shutters supports for decorative purposes.
- They are also weather resistant and work well in damp places like the kitchen.
These synthetic shutters are easy to clean and virtually maintenance free. They also won’t crack, peel, fade or deteriorate like wood shutters. Unfortunately, they come in limited colors and stains. They are not as durable.
Style
- Plantation shutters
Plantation shutters are a great way to diversify your living space and give it a whole new look. Despite their simplicity in design and construction, they are excellent at ventilation and thermal insulation. These versatile curtains feature 3 ½” wide blinds. This is why they are considered suitable for making large windows look proportionate rather than bulky.
2) California Blinds
These are similar to plantation shutters. A key difference is the shutter width, which is 2 ½” in California shutters. These curtains block sunlight and give windows a refined, uncluttered and organized look. They provide light control, reduce external noise and improve energy efficiency. By (easily) tilting the blinds, you can control the amount of light that enters the room.
3) Cafe shutters
Cafe shutters are the best way to get privacy without completely blocking out the light. Their unconventional look also stands out, as these quirky shutters cover only part of a given window (usually the lower half). They are perfect for front windows in kitchens and living rooms, where you can enjoy open windows while maintaining some privacy.
However, they are not as flexible as other shutter styles because you cannot convert them from partial to full window coverings. If you want to cover the windows completely, you will have to remove them and install new blinds.
4) Bahamas Shutters
Originating from storm protection in the tropics, Bahamian blinds are unconventional, funky, charming, and a relatively inexpensive way to add style to your windows.
They are usually fastened to the top of a window, provide privacy, and do a great job of blocking sunlight from entering a room through large windows. Like any other shutter style, you can customize Bahamas shutters to fit your windows.
When it comes to beauty, practicality, style, privacy and convenience, blinds are one of the best ways to decorate a window. They come in a variety of styles and materials, so finding the perfect blinds for your home shouldn’t be difficult. We hope our blinds guide helped you make the right choice. If you have any questions, please contact a curtain specialist near you.
Benefits of Plantation Shutters
If you are considering installing plantation shutters, you will have several options. Exactly which type is best for your property will depend on the size of the opening in which you install them and how far you want to be able to open them. But no matter which style you choose.
Plantation shutters are easy to maintain
Modern plantation shutters are made of hard-wearing materials such as wood, aluminium and PVC. This means they won’t crack or peel and will hold up well for a long time. So you don’t need to replace them – at least not for a long time – but if you do you can usually keep using the outer frame and just replace the slats. Plantation shutters are also one of the easiest curtains to keep clean—they only require light dusting and an occasional wipe with a damp cloth.
Plantation shutters can help control the climate
Since plantation shutters are designed to fit snugly within existing window frames, they can help insulate your home. When they’re closed, they create a solid barrier on your windows, keeping the heat in when it’s cold and keeping it in when it’s warm. Instead, when they’re open, they allow for greater airflow, allowing your house to ventilate naturally. As a result, homes with plantation shutters installed require less heating and air conditioning. This, in turn, can help you save on your utility bills.
