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Why Some Homeowners In St. George Confuse Plantation Blinds And Plantation Shutters

April 19, 2016

When homeowners in the St. George area give us a call for a quote, they may mistakenly ask for plantation blinds. They don’t realize that plantation blinds isn’t the right name of the window covering they‘re thinking of.

That’s because when people say “plantation blinds”, they actually mean plantation shutters.

Interior shutters are synonymous with the term “plantation”, not blinds. And “plantation” describes the size and style of the horizontal louvers.

Blinds’ thin horizontal slats are not wide enough or thick enough to be considered “plantation” style.

Some consumers and even blind companies call blinds “plantation,” but that term has historically been associated with custom interior shutters. Plantation style shutters may be mistaken for blinds from a distance. But the differences between these two window treatments are numerous.

How Plantation Shutters Differ From Blinds

Kitchen windows covered with blinds
A modern kitchen with plantation shutters 

Plantation Shutters Are More Durable Than Blinds

Premium plantation shutters can be manufactured from hardwood, reclaimed wood, or a synthetic wood. These materials give you a sturdy window treatment that lasts for many more years than a blind. And when your shutters are painted with UV stabilizers, their color won’t fade.

Unlike shutters, blinds may have a rod to tilt the slats. And they have a series of cords to hold the slats up. These two components, in addition to the thin slats, are notorious for busting.

Blinds don’t give you control over temperature and light. And they tend to yellow over extended periods of sun exposure, unlike quality shutters.

They’re Highly Energy Efficient

The material a window treatment is made from greatly affects its energy efficiency. Plantation shutters, with their wood and synthetic wood louvers, are the most energy-efficient window treatment in St. George. And it’s the exclusive weatherstripping on Polywood® shutters that’s made to help block off airflow. That’s how Polywood is 1600% more energy efficient than an aluminum blind.

When the blind is closed, the slats aren’t tight against each other. There’s room on both sides of the blind where air can escape through. And there are holes where the cords are. All these issues make blinds less energy efficient than quality plantation shutters.

They Highlight The Shape Of Your Window

Another thing to consider is that a rectangle is the only shape blinds are available in. And when you have windows that are arched, triangular, octagonal, or circular, blinds will hide the shape rather than highlight it.

Plantation shutters however are perfect for specialty-shaped windows. They are custom built to account for every arch, angle, and corner. The finished product is a window treatment that operates smoothly. And it will look beautiful and makes the window shape pop.

They Give Your Home A Custom Look

Yes, you can buy blinds in an array of textures, finishes, and colors. They can even be motorized or cordless. But no matter how you mix and match their options, blinds don’t have the custom look that shutters have.

Plantation shutters in St. George come in reclaimed wood, Polywood, and Ovation® wood. And there’s over 300,000 combinations of custom options of these window treatments to fit your décor.

Usually, shutters are installed with a frame that highlights the shutter panels and accentuates the corners. These shutters make a fashion statement that wows. And they become a permanent feature that increases your home’s appraisal value.

One example of an exceptional idea to customize your window treatments is plantationshutters built from reclaimed wood. No two shutter louvers - no two shutter panels - have the same holes, colors, or marks. It’s the ultimate custom window treatment in the St. George area.

Schedule A Consultation Before You Buy Window Treatments In St. George

Doing your research is the first step in selecting the best window treatments. That’s how you figured out the differences between blinds and plantation shutters. So before you order window treatments, set up a consultation with one of our team members in St. George. We’ll bring product samples right to your home and guide you in choosing the one that works best for your windows. Call us at 435-485-9332 or fill out the form below to get started!