Window shutters versus blinds

Good wellmade 2 1/2 blinds will last 20 years.

we had wood shutters over the 3 large windows that get western sun (aka hot as shite every afternoon) and i got rid of those right away. i thought they looked really dated. i went with solar shades that match the room much better and were supposed to be smart (lowering each day when the sun starts to come in and back up at night) but sadly i ran over budget and had to go with manual shades.

i like them very much. i bought them at Steve's Blinds online but I also bought a bamboo shade from blindster.com for our bathroom and like it so much i'm thinking of getting a couple more for other rooms.

for bedrooms; curtains are the only way to go.


eta LOL i can't read. you're comparing shutters vs blinds. i don't have anything to add to that other than i've never seen shutters that are actually functional on a house instead of a design element.

Plantation shutters are the generic suburban window trend, you see them on middle class houses all over the south. Esp in new build, faux French provincial spec houses. I think that design moment has passed. You’re blocking off a large portion of your window, even when the louvers are fully open. So you’re reducing the window opening size, in essence. If you have nice views or like natural light, they’re counterproductive.

Of course, if your view ugly is ugly, maybe it is the right choice. Some ppl leave their hurricane shutters up year round, or build those hideous houses with long blank walls facing the neighbors.

And if you’re trying to reduce heat gain, it’s much more efficient to shade the window exterior than the window interior.

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To each their own on the look/design aspect since all opinions differ but this just isn't true. Now days they have the "clear view" type that don't have the bar down the middle, and if your windows are 4' wide and under you can get them without the partition down the middle as well.

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Plus ours actually function as shutters should, and I can simple swing them open to enjoy the full view. But watching TV in the living room has greatly improved since we installed them. I can't get it blackout dark, but there's no more glare on the screen during the day from having two large windows in the room. I usually open the slats in the morning and close them in the afternoon.

I have Bahama blinds similar to those on the front and on one side of my house. They’re extremely functional and get lots of compliments.


I like battening down the hatches before storms, too.