Shutters or blinds? Why shutters are worth it.
Blinds cost less at the start. Shutters give you better control of light and privacy, have no cords, wipe clean and last for years. Here's an honest side-by-side, so you can decide.
- Free home visit
- Quote fixed for 30 days
- 10-year guarantee on composite
- No sales reps
How shutters and blinds compare
Light
ShuttersTilt the louvres to angle the light exactly where you want it, or fold the panels right back to clear most of the window.
BlindsUp or down. Slatted blinds tilt, but the slats sit in front of the glass even when open.
Privacy
ShuttersAngle the louvres so you can still see out while people passing can't easily see in. Tier-on-tier lets you close just the bottom half.
BlindsUsually all or nothing: down for privacy, up for light.
Cords and chains
ShuttersNone. No cords or chains to tangle or reach.
BlindsMost have cords or chains, which wear and need safety fittings.
Wear and tear
ShuttersSolid panels on hinges, with a 10-year guarantee on our composite.
BlindsFabric, slats and cords can wear over time.
Cleaning
ShuttersA dust or a wipe with a damp cloth.
BlindsFabric holds dust and is hard to wash; slats need cleaning one by one.
Kitchens and bathrooms
ShuttersOur composite is waterproof, so it suits steamy rooms.
BlindsMany fabrics don't like damp.
Cost at the start
ShuttersMore. Every shutter is made to measure and fitted by us.
BlindsLess.
Choosing shutters
The honest bit: cost
Shutters cost more than blinds at the start. Ours are £400 per square metre in white, or £500 in colour, measured, made and fitted, with VAT included. Two medium windows come to about £1150.
You don't have to do every window at once. Start with the rooms you use most, often the front room, and add the rest later. See our prices
What about curtains?
Curtains add softness, but they block the view and the light when they're closed. Many people keep curtains as well as shutters for a softer look. The pole needs to sit high and wide enough for the curtains to clear the shutter panels, and we check that at the visit. Shutters and curtains together →
Shutter blinds and clip-in shutters
Some "shutter blinds" or clip-in shutters are louvred panels that clip onto a uPVC window. They can look similar from a distance, but they're not the same as a made-to-measure plantation shutter in its own frame, fitted to the window opening. Ask us about the difference, and see it in our samples at the visit.
Which style to choose
Full height covers the whole window, tier-on-tier lets you open the top and bottom separately, and café style covers just the lower part. See every style
Shutters or blinds: your questions
Are shutters better than blinds?
For the windows you live with every day, we think so: better control over light and privacy, no cords, easy to clean, and they last for years, with a 10-year guarantee on our composite shutters. Blinds cost less at the start; shutters are built to last.
Do shutters let in less light than blinds?
Not when they're open. Fold the panels back and most of the window is clear. With the panels closed, you tilt the louvres to let in as much or as little light as you like.
More pages
Also worth a lookSee shutters against your own windows
Book a free home visit. We bring samples, measure every window and email you a fixed written quote.