While both shutters vs blinds will ensure that you have adequate privacy to enjoy your home in Brisbane, each solution offers unique pros that you’ll need to keep in mind.
Nowadays homeowners in Brisbane are blessed with a wide range of choices when it comes to window treatments. Not only can they select between different types of styles, but there’s also a decent selection of materials and colors to choose from.
With all the options available, though, it can become difficult to figure out which type and style to settle on. Plus, considering that neither shutters vs blinds are something that you replace every couple of years, you’ll want to make sure that you carefully weigh up all the pros and cons of each. If you’re struggling to decide between these two options, here’s a quick summary of what the main benefits and disadvantages are that you’ll need to keep in mind.
Key benefits of shutters
No Cords
One of the main differences between these two window coverings is how they get installed. Unlike blinds, they don’t have any cords. This makes them a better option if you have young children as they’re safer. With blinds, it’s easy for the cord to end up around a child’s neck which can lead to a nasty injury or even strangulation.
Sturdy and durable
During installation, they get attached to the actual window frame. Blinds, on the other hand, get installed by fixing it to the inside of the window recess which is not as sturdy.
Not only are they the sturdier option, but they’re also usually more durable. One of the reasons for this is that they have fewer moving parts. So, there will be less wear and tear which means that you can look forward to more years of service. Depending on the type of material and design, you can look forward to 25+ years of service.
Key disadvantages of shutters
Price
When it comes to cost, they are more expensive. For a window of 600 mm x 800 mm, you can expect to pay anything from $150 to $500, and that’s just for the materials.
Plus, as they’re more challenging to install, the installation will take longer which means that you can also expect to pay more for installation. To give you an idea, it’s not uncommon to be charged about $350 per square meter just to get it measured. Then, it still needs to be installed. When it’s time for this final, exciting step, you can expect to pay an extra $80 per square meter or $90 to $125 per hour.
Less light
If natural light is a priority, blinds might be better. Whereas internal coverings can be drawn up all the way to maximize natural light and the views, they take up more of the window space as they’re fitted to the window frame itself.
Key benefits of blinds
Affordable
They are a more cost-effective solution. While there are a number of factors, such as the choice of material, that will impact the price, you can expect to pay anything from $40 to $140 for roller blinds in Brisbane for a standard sized window of 600 mm x 600 mm. Then, with regards to installation, you can expect to pay about $30 to $50 per square meter. So, both the material and installation costs are much lower.
Easier installation
While both options are in many ways very similar, when it comes to installation there’s a marked difference. Not only is it quicker to install blinds, but if you made a mistake with the measurement, you might still be able to hang them. On the other hand, if you opted for shutters and the final result isn’t an exact fit, there’s no wiggle room, and you’ll need to get new window coverings manufactured (after you’ve measured it again correctly, of course).
Key disadvantages of blinds
Less durable
As mentioned, when it comes to durability, shutters are the clear winner. Not only can the choice of material shorten the lifespan of the window coverings, but as they have more moving parts, there are more things that can break.
Less effective light control
While they can make it easier to optimize natural light, they’re usually less effective at controlling how much light enters through a window. This is especially the case if you opt for rollers over other types of popular internal blinds like venetians. With rollers, there are no slats that you can tilt to adjust the amount of light that enters.
So should you turn a blind eye to shutters?
Both blinds vs shutters can offer property-boosting benefits, making it difficult to choose between the two. What’s more, both also offer impressive versatility and can be installed outside as well as inside.
At the end of the day, it all comes down to a matter of choice and budget. What will work the best for your unique needs? More importantly, what can you afford?
Whatever choice you make, you can rest assured knowing that you can look forward to privacy and protection against Brisbane’s heat. Plus, both shutters vs blinds will ultimately improve the overall appearance of your space.
To ensure that you can enjoy all the benefits that these window coverings have to offer, it’s best to work with a company that specializes in both. The team at FKR Group is a trusted family-run business that supplies and installs Australian-made window treatments. All our products are custom made and installations are covered by a warranty. Let the pros at FKR Group help you to decide which solution will work best for your setup. Call us on 0412 872 822 or complete this online form to schedule a free consultation.
If you want to learn more, check out our resources below:
1. How Much Do Shutters Cost in Brisbane?
2. How To Choose The Best Type of Shutters
3. What Are The Best Types of Shutters?
4. What Are the Benefits of Installing Shutters in Your Home?
