What is the best window covering? Advantages and disadvantages: Plantation shutters vs blinds vs curtains

The covering you choose for your windows can make a massive difference to your house and your life. It can affect how the room looks, how much light you get throughout the day, and so much more.

When you are choosing your window coverings, there are a great many criteria to consider. Are you looking to make a statement? Reduce your energy bills? Are you looking for something light and modern or thicker and more classic?

Here we will take a look at some of the top choices, curtains, blinds and plantation shutters, to help you decide which the right fit is for you.

What are the advantages of plantation shutters?

There are a great many advantages to plantation shutters. They are elegant and classy, add a timeless look to your house, and can even increase its value. From increased privacy to ease of maintenance, here are just a few reasons why you should consider plantation shutters today:

  • You can easily control the amount of light entering the room – with many of the other options it can be all or nothing, either complete darkness or dazzling sunlight and nothing in between. With our plantation shutters, you can decide how much or little light you want at all times.

  • You can choose from a number of materials – you can choose our more traditional wooden shutters, or opt for more ‘upcyclable’ aluminium shutters, or even save money with our incredibly affordable and more modern faux or PVC shutters. All come with their own style and benefits giving you even more choice.

  • They are durable – plantation shutters can last up to 4 times as long as other window coverings, making them a sound investment in your future.

  • They won’t fade – the sun can hugely impact your curtains and blinds over time. With the right material choice, plantation shutters won’t fade or wear away but will continue to look fabulous for years to come.

  • They add to the aesthetics of your home – from estate agents to potential buyers and neighbours, everyone loves the look of plantation shutters so they can actually make your home more appealing than other window options.

  • They are easy to clean – no worries about trying to hand wash huge curtains or mess around with the washing machine, these shutters can be quickly and easily wiped down in no time.

They also help you control the temperature and can save you money on your energy bills, can go inside and out, and make a statement of whichever room they are in. For all these reasons and more, plantation shutters have to be the best choice for many households.

What are the disadvantages of plantation shutters?

It is true that every type of window covering comes with a few downsides, and plantation shutters are no exception. They can be a little pricey, especially compared with the other options, though their longevity makes them more of an investment than an expense.

They also can be less effective at keeping the sun out than some curtains, especially the blackout kind, and may be more difficult to fit by yourself. That is one of the many reasons why we offer such good rates for the installation, to get you set up with your ideal shutters with ease.

What are the advantages of blinds?

Blinds again have their advantages that recommend them to plenty of homes. Here are some of the top benefits for you to consider:

  • Blinds also let you control light – you can get blinds that can be opened partway allowing in the amount of light you require.

  • You can find pretty cheap options – there are blinds to be found for very little money, though there can be downsides to this in terms of aesthetics, quality and longevity.

  • You can get blinds in a huge array of colours and materials – there are blinds around to suit every taste and style for fairly low prices.  

What are the disadvantages of blinds?

If we mention blinds, you can probably picture right away a couple of the disadvantages that you can find with them. 

  • The big one has to be the ease with which they can be damaged. Broken slats, a cord that doesn’t work properly and the look of your blinds with one side stuck up higher than the other really says it all. 

  • Blinds can also be noisy if you have the windows open whilst wanting to control the amount of privacy or light in the room. 

  • A lack of thermal and noise insulation compared to other window coverings.

What are the advantages of curtains?

Curtains are a classic choice for a reason, bringing total darkness and a cosiness to a room that blinds undoubtedly lack. Here are a few of the advantages of opting for curtains:

  • Curtains provide warmth to a room – not just in terms of keeping the heat in, but the look and feel of a good set of curtains can add a level of comfort to your home, especially in the winter months in the cooler parts of Australia.

  • They can come in all colours and styles – you can easily match your curtains to the style of the room, and they can make a statement about how you want the room to look and feel.

  • They can provide noise insulation – a thick pair of curtains can make you feel very distant and protected from the sights and sounds of the outside world.

What are the disadvantages of curtains?

Curtains again have their disadvantages too. 

  • They can make a room appear small, dark and heavy. 

  • They can be a nightmare to wash, get dry again, and can get messy very easily. 

  • Not so easy to control the amount of light in a room 

If you are looking to get more light and space from your home, you should look elsewhere for your window coverings.

What is the best window covering?

All in all, the winner seems clear. Plantation shutters look fantastic, allow you the control you need over light and temperature, and are durable and easy to maintain. They may cost slightly more upfront than blinds, but they last much longer and add extra value to the house that makes this cost negligible in the long run (not to mention the money you can save in energy efficiency).

If you are considering getting new window coverings in Western Australia, contact us today for more information on everything that we can offer you for your home.

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10 reasons to put plantation shutters in your home

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Why aluminium plantation shutters should be Powder coated rather than Painted.