Shutters or Blinds: Which One Should You Choose?

A snazzy new pair of shutters or blinds can make a real difference to your home. The trouble is, how do you choose between them? 

It’s no simple task to choose between the two, and naturally, you will want to make the right choice when it comes to this sort of investment in your home. Here at Angel Blinds & Shutters, we know our stuff when it comes to…well…blinds and shutters, of course! That’s why we’ve put together this nifty guide to help you understand the key differences between these two different types of window dressing so that you can make the right choice for your home.

First of all, what’s the key difference between shutters and blinds?

The key difference between shutters and blinds is, unsurprisingly, their structure and fittings.

Shutters are more solid by nature and are fixed to the sides of your window using metal fittings. Blinds, on the other hand, are more flexible and tend to be fixed to the top of your window only.

Of course, shutters and blinds both come with plus points and disadvantages, especially when it comes to factors such as durability, cost and range of choice. Let’s take a look at some of those pros and cons now.

What’s the deal with shutters?

There are many reasons why people might opt to install shutters in their home. Here are a few of their key benefits below…

1. Shutters are a striking feature. When it comes down to it, shutters are more than a simple window dressing, they’re an out and out feature and are sure to wow everyone who walks through your door. Whether your home is traditional or more contemporary in style, a quality set of shutters will suit every aesthetic and bring a feeling of quality and luxury to your space.
2. They add value to your home. Homeowners often find that adding quality shutters into the mix really adds value to their home, thanks to the failsafe durability and keen aesthetics of this type of window dressing. If you come to sell, we can guarantee that plenty of people viewing your home will see your shutters as a real selling point.
3. Shutters are easy to maintain. This luxury window dressing requires minimal upkeep, which means you can spend less time cleaning and more time kicking back and enjoying the sight of your gorgeous shutters! Simply wipe the louvres clean with a damp cloth.
4. Take control of privacy and light in your home. Your shutters can be used to manipulate the light levels in your home, and the amount of privacy you are able to enjoy, too. Tilting the wooden louvres of your shutters at specific levels will enable you to easily alter the distribution of light in your space, whilst keeping watchful eyes at bay.
5. They enable great temperature control. Unlike many blinds on the market, shutters are fantastic for controlling the temperature in your home. When it’s cool outside, your shutters – when closed fully – will provide the insulation necessary to help you keep the warmth in. Once the warmer months roll around, you can keep the louvres tilted at an angle so that you can still enjoy the light whilst keeping the blistering heat of the sun at bay, and your space is cooler and more comfortable as a result.

Do shutters come with any drawbacks?

Of course, no window dressing is entirely devoid of drawbacks, and even an option as striking and luxurious as shutters comes with cons.

• They are typically the pricier option and can be quite expensive.
• Shutters are very difficult to fit yourself, and we strongly advise employing a professional fitter.
• This type of window dressing cannot be easily changed, so be prepared to be in it for the long haul.

Let’s move on to blinds!

Whilst shutters often steal the show, many people do prefer blinds for a number of reasons. We’re unpacking some of their key benefits below.

1. Blinds are a cost-effective choice. The key reason most people opt for blinds is the fact that they are the most affordable choice of window dressing. Seeing as though they come in a wide range of materials, it’s entirely possible to find a blind to suit any budget.
2. There’s a wide range of options to choose from. This type of window dressing typically entails a far greater range of options than shutters. Blinds come in all sorts of styles and are crafted from a huge array of different materials. Fabric blinds, in particular, come in a huge variety of colours and patterns. This means you can easily find something to suit your tastes.
3. Like to switch it up? Blinds can be easily changed. Whilst shutters are fixed all the way around your windows, blinds are not as structurally involved, meaning they can be easily changed. This is handy if you are keen to change the decor of your space, or if the material fades or becomes damaged.

What about the cons?

Whilst blinds are a cost-effective choice that offers flexibility and variety, they do of course have some drawbacks.

• Blinds are far less durable than shutters.
• They give you less control over light levels, but black-out blinds will allow you to block out light completely.
• Fabric blinds can fade in the sun, and be very difficult to clean.
• On windy days, your blinds will be liable to blow around as they are not fixed to the sides of your window, creating noise and the potential for damage.

Drumroll, please! Here are our final thoughts…

Clearly, there are advantages and disadvantages to both shutters and blinds. Naturally, your choice will ultimately come down to both your personal preference and the sort of budget you’re working with.

If price and flexibility are your main priorities, it’s likely blinds will suit your needs best. However, if you’re going for luxury, durability and ease of maintenance, shutters are sure to come up trumps.

Whatever you decide to opt for, we can help. Here at Angel Blinds & Shutters, we pride ourselves on the quality of our bespoke, made-to-measure window dressings, not to mention our excellent customer service.

Looking for the perfect shutters or blinds for your home? Get in touch today for a free quote or to arrange a visit to our store.