Choosing between shutters and Blinds for home decoration can be difficult. Both perform a similar function, in the sense of blocking out and adjusting the quality of the light entering a room, as well as providing privacy and security for a home. However, blinds and shutters do have some important differences that need to be considered when making adjustments to your window dressing, and the overall look and function of a building.

Functionality

In terms of general function, shutters are typically found as large slats on the outside of a window, while blinds cover the inside of a window, and usually consist of more narrow slats. Shutters tend to be more expensive than blinds, which is partly due to their need to be more durable as an external form of decoration. External shutters are consequently often referred to as plantation shutters, in view of their historical use as examples of weather protection.

Materials

However, blinds can be more easily adapted than shutters to interior decorating designs by being available in a range of different materials. These materials include fabric, wood, and PVC, which will vary in price. Spending more on fabric materials is often the best choice if you want your blinds to last for a long time. In the same way, shutters reward investment if you want to provide protection for your windows and the outside of a building.

Fitness for Purpose

The decision to go with shutters or blinds should also take into account their use for decorating a home or an office. More durable shutters are usually better suited to long term office use, and are also often easier to clean than blinds. By comparison, the greater flexibility offered by different types of blinds for adjusting the amount of light in a room can make them more useful when setting the right atmosphere for different parts of a house.