Shutters can have a range of uses, more than the average person might be aware of. Plantation shutters, in particular, are excellent for a wide range of purposes, but there is one main reason that people get them to cover their windows: privacy and aesthetics. Like curtains and regular blinds, these window shutters can keep your home private – but how good are they, exactly, and are they worth choosing over your other options?
Visual Privacy
When you are covering up your windows, you obviously want to keep people outside from seeing into your home. While a curtain can completely cover up a space and make it impossible to see through, it does so from both sides and blocks out all light. Even a standard set of PVC plantation shutters can provide good privacy while also letting you see through the slits between each shutter without having to open them entirely, ensuring that you get to stay hidden away from the outside world.
What makes this even more useful is the fact that they are adjustable. Plantation blinds, like regular blinds, can often be tilted back and forth to widen or narrow the slits and change how much light comes through. You can open them up to let more light in without leaving the room fully exposed to people passing by, and you might even be able to open up half of the window cover while leaving the other side shut.
Whether you are using DIY shutters or getting plantation shutters online, you can always count on this being one of the main selling points. Some plantation shutter blinds can even close far enough to make an almost flat surface, making it impossible for anybody to see in or out. The main drawback of shutters is that they are never considered a full blockout product. Some light will always seep through, so this is something to be mindful of in places like bedrooms.
Our Rating: 7/10
Noise Dampening
Another important thing to consider when looking at privacy in your own home is noise levels. While some types of DIY plantation shutters might not be the best option for blocking out noise, others that feature an aluminium core and solid material or other many existing shutter types are made with thicker materials – mostly high-quality woods. These materials can help dampen certain sounds. While it isn’t as strong as soundproofing, this can make a big difference if you live in an area where people walk very close to your outside walls.
Remember that window shutters are often purpose-built for a specific window size. As such, they fit almost perfectly and won’t leave many gaps or open spaces. Since regular office blinds often have gaps at the bottom and side of the window, and curtains hang down at least a few inches away from the window, this can make plantation-style shutters the most consistent option.
Even better, if you have a set of shutters that can close almost completely, they will be even better at dampening sound. This is because they leave hardly any space for it to leak out, just like a wooden door would when you close it. The thicker the materials, the better they become at keeping sound either inside or outside your home.
Shadows
One of the biggest issues with curtains (and some thin blinds) is the fact that a bright light on the other side of the room can shine your shadow on the material. In many cases, this can give away what you are doing or show people that somebody is home, even if you are wanting total privacy. Wooden or PVC plantation shutters avoid this problem thanks to their thicker designs, stopping light from penetrating through. This isn’t a major privacy concern in many people’s homes, but it can still be something worth considering.
Are they good for privacy?
Homes in almost any country can benefit from plantation shutters: Australian residents and UK residents may want different things when it comes to heat management or style, but there are enough options available to satisfy everybody. However, when privacy is involved, shutter blinds can make a huge difference. Not only are they ideal for reducing light and covering windows, but they are a good option for keeping sound contained and making it impossible for somebody to peer in.
While the exact benefits obviously depend on the type of plantation shutters you go for and the materials that are used to make them, they can be an excellent choice for anybody who is concerned about privacy, offering many of the same benefits found in blinds and curtains without the significant drawbacks that you would normally have to deal with.
Aesthetics
Plantation shutters are the king of aesthetics and prestige. Commanding the highest price tag out of all window furnishings, many people prefer shutters in place of other products simply due to this fact, even if they are not as capable of blocking light compared to other options.
Our Rating: 10/10
Pairing them with other blinds
Sometimes pairing shutters and blinds together in the same room is of benefit. You don’t always want to have a house full of shutters as it can overwhelm the look. Consider using different types of blinds such as panel glide blinds over sliding doors (or even sheers) in your spaces to break up your look.
