If you are decorating the interior of your home you may be thinking about installing blinds or shutters. Both of these have many benefits. They can be custom made (which is the case most of the time with shutters) and are adjustable. Shutters also offer other benefits that blinds do not.

Shutters are usually made of wood and have louvres that can be opened and closed to keep air, light and the weather conditions out or let them in. When wooden shutters are installed they become a real part of the home. As with blinds they have a practical purpose, but they are not just there to keep the light out and to keep the home private. They are a real permanent fixture and add value to the home, something that certainly can’t be said of other window coverings. They are permanent, as in they are fixed to the building and usually remain in place when the house is sold. They are therefore taken into consideration during the valuation of the home meaning they are effectively an investment. Shutters are generally considered more aesthetically pleasing than blinds as they give a very homely and traditional feel. They are traditional but practical.

Shutters are sturdier than blinds. Blinds are fairly easy to break, something that cannot be said for shutters. They are long lasting, in fact can last a lifetime. They usually come with a lifetime guarantee which shows the makers confidence in their product and means that any unexpected problem will be covered free of charge. The solid nature of wooden shutters means they do not let any light in, something that blinds sometimes do. Due to the types of wood used noise is blocked out when the shutters are closed.

With shutters you have a large amount of choice regarding the style. They can be painted any colour a home owner wishes. There are also a large variety of styles available, from full-height shutters to solid shutters. The amount of customisation possible is particularly useful for those who have unusually shaped windows, something that ready-made blinds do not take into consideration.

Although shutters are more expensive than blinds, some of this can be clawed back as they help to insulate a home. They can keep the cold winters out, as well as keeping the heat out during the summer. Keeping the house warmer during the winter means that heating bills can be reduced.

There are many positives in choosing shutters. They give a home a traditional feel, but also have the practical advantages of allowing light, air, and the weather conditions to come into the home, or to keep them out.

Andrew Marshall (c)