Are you thinking about having plantation shutters installed in your home but you aren’t quite sure if they are the ideal window covering solution for you? For example, do plantation shutters make rooms darker? Can they effectively block sunlight and reduce glare? Which rooms should have plantation shutters? And should shutters appear lighter or darker than your home?
In this article, we’re going to explore shutters further and you can determine if they’re the right choice for you.
Do plantation shutters make rooms darker?
So, do plantation shutters make rooms darker? Whether you love a good lie-in on your weekends or you want to enjoy binge-watching your favourite Netflix show without too much glare from the sun, having decent window coverings is essential.
The good news is that plantation shutters do offer excellent light control. That said, they are not as effective as ‘blackout’ curtains. So, if you are looking for a window covering that can provide your room/s with total darkness, regular plantation shutters are not the best choice.
However, there are certain attachments and accessories that you can purchase online to convert your plantation shutters to ‘blackout’.
Or alternatively, when you are negotiating with your plantation shutters provider and installer, it’s always worth letting them know which rooms require blackout and which do not. Provided you are working with the right company they should be able to provide these customisation options for you.
In any case, the level of light control that plantation shutters provide without the blackout option is surprisingly effective.
While they do not provide total darkness, you will have significantly reduced glare and total privacy from the outside.
Which rooms should have plantation shutters?
Another common question that people ask is whether you should have plantation shutters installed in every room in your home.
In truth, for the sake of uniformity, having plantation shutters installed in every room is preferred. Given that the aesthetic charm of plantation shutters is one of the biggest selling points, having some windows with and some without might look a little clumsy and asymmetrical.
That said, if the front of your home is east-facing and receives plenty of sunlight throughout the day, there’s no reason why you can’t have plantation shutters installed at the front, and then regular window coverings at the back.
Ultimately, it all comes down to taste.
As for internal plantation shutters, it’s not so much whether certain rooms should or should not have plantation shutters, but which material is better suited.
For example, for rooms that experience high levels of moisture such as kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms, you’ll want to opt for a plantation shutter material that is either 100% waterproof or has excellent water resistance (e.g., vinyl, PVC, aluminium).
Should shutters be lighter or darker than your house?
While there is no ‘written rule’ as to what colour or shade plantation shutters you should install in your home, there are certain looks that work better than others.
The most common trending colours for homes and plantation shutters are light, neutral tones such as whites, greys, and beiges. For example, you may have a sand-coloured home with egg-white plantation shutters – this is considered the “standard” in terms of aesthetic appeal.
Particularly if you are making plans to sell your home in the future, opting for a neutral look as mentioned above will significantly improve curb appeal and thus the overall ‘buy ability’ of your property.
That said, there’s no reason why you can’t have a sand-coloured home with black plantation shutters if that is your preference. It will certainly be striking in appearance, that’s for sure.
However, just make sure that you are aware of how certain colours react to the sun. For example, black plantation shutters will absorb so much heat thus making the temperature regulation of your home less effective.
Darker shutters would work well in countries that experience cold weather throughout the year, however, in a hot climate, they would not be recommended.
Again, it all comes down to personal preference, but just make sure you are well aware of how the shade and colour of your shutters will impact their performance.
Final thoughts
Let’s recap:
- Plantation shutters offer excellent light control, however, unless customised appropriately, they do not provide a total blackout effect.
- Typically, it is better to have plantation shutters installed in every room in your home, rather than mixing and matching. This provides a uniform and symmetrical appearance. Just be mindful of the material type, as certain rooms with higher moisture levels require sufficient water resistance.
- As for the colour of your plantation shutters, they are far more effective when lighter than your home. Darker colours are great for cold climates given they absorb more warmth from the sun, however, in a hot climate they will have an adverse effect. As for curb appeal and buy ability, lighter, neutral colours are more attractive to prospective buyers.
All in all, it all comes down to personal choice. After all, it is your home! Just make sure you research how the various materials and colours will perform before making any final commitments.
If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed and unsure of what to do, we highly recommend consulting professionals. They will be able to make solid recommendations based on your tastes and requirements.
We hope you’ve found this article insightful and wish you the very best of luck with your home renovation plants.
