Shutters block light?

9 years ago

I am building a home and had planned on using plantation shutters but I recently had two people tell me that even open shutters in the daytime block out a lot of sunlight because of the big casings around them. I want to keep as much sunlight as possible and I am wondering if what I've been told is true and what other options I have that might still look like shutters? Blinds?

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Rachel @ Ethan Allen

9 years ago

Here are some more options for window treatments

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Comments (17)

amyfamyf
Original Author
9 years ago
Here is the space in my home I'm thinking of. I thought shutters first but I want to keep all that beautiful sunlight! Any ideas?
libradesigneye
9 years ago
Amy, if this were my space, I would hang romans at top of wall so when open, it concealed that the door headers were off from window headers - something like sheer linen romans you can drop on the windows at night for softness and privacy. In the adjacent space, I would do the same but add flanking drapery panels on wide rods for color and softness. Use a neutral tone for the roman shades . . white or linen so you can change drapery without concern and get a classic nubby fabric that always looks great.

Eventually you are going to have a beautifully landscaped yard / garden to look at and you will want to be able to open them fully, keep the sun streaming in during the day, be able to look out and see this pretty yard. You don't have a huge privacy problem here (not a bathroom, no one right on top of you) and could plant some larger evergreen shrubs back at the property line if you want more.

just one opinion - wood blinds won't give you the same look but close . ..
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Gosh, I've returned after a week travelling for work to loads more suggestions - thanks all! To respond specifically: - the house faces south so gets the lovely morning (and in the uk, sometimes the only) sun. - the husband has avoided putting plants in the planters due to maintenance and they're generally twee so comments here have confirmed to me that they will be coming out - love the idea of wooden boxes with the spiky plants and grasses - also like the concept of taking out the grass/bed/tree in front completely out and replacing with slabs - yes to lightening the windows - to the Barn company, I honestly don't mind the advice and I'd never seen sloping garage roofs. - nicking ideas from landscaping of new builds....great idea! - finally, Helen Scholes, I'm embarrassed about the spelling of kerb. Had no idea! Thanks again all.
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hayleydaniels
9 years ago
Are you concerned about people seeing in your house? If you are, there's nothing wrong with the old levelor blinds that are 1" wide so they let more light in, but you can tip them so everyone can't see in. We've had them for years, and love them. Go with functionality over fashion.
User
9 years ago
Yes, plantation shutter are bulky, and not good if you like fresh air, they are too big to keep open, and make it difficult to get to the window. If you are considering a pair on each window they will definitely block light, and a single shutter will have to always remain shut. They are also very expensive. I think they work best on a window that is never going to be opened, in a room that needs a lot of privacy and doesn't have much of a view.
I love bamboo or woven blinds because they can be pulled all the way up, and even when down will allow for a soft filtered light. They could be hung above your windows and come in many different colors.
The closest thing to a shutter is a two inch wood blind. It looks like you might have just enough depth in your window to accommodate them.
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Home Delight Studio
9 years ago
I would start from your style. What kind of furniture and accessory suppose to be there. Traditional? Transitional? Modern? Here some transitional solution for windows like yours. But don't install shutters.
PRO
Home Delight Studio
9 years ago
The best way is to make a combination of custom made drapery, shades and Hunter Douglas products. That should be nice and functional.
PRO
Home Delight Studio
9 years ago
If you don't like drapery and Roman shades, install Hunter Douglas Duette Architella (or Duolite) with Top Down Bottom Up option. You will easy control light and privacy and one more thing that is very important for size of your window - very good insulation (energy efficiency). With EasyRise mechanism Hunter Douglas can make this size in one piece.
amyfamyf
Original Author
9 years ago
Wow! These are all fabulous suggestions and solutions. I'm going to re-read them again and really think through this. I like the linen roman drapes or bamboo shades ideas. Something light and breezy. I've always wondered if one can see through these from the outside at night? I also found this picture that caught my eye but what would I do for the larger window on the right? This area will have a large concrete top dining table with metal modern chairs.
amyfamyf
Original Author
9 years ago
This is a wider view of the room and the family room off to the right side. Family room also has large windows. Do the window coverings need to be the same in both rooms? Both shutters or both bamboo? How about shutters in the family room and relaxed roman shades in dining nook?
User
9 years ago
The window coverings don't have to be the same in both areas.
mcbriec
9 years ago
Agree about no to plantation shutters. My own preference would be to maintain consistency of window coverings between visually contiguous rooms, but it is your perception that matters so if you want different coverings in a nook, go for it.

I love the textural look of the bamboo blinds, but from a completely functional perspective, nothing beats wood blinds which allow for fantastic light and privacy control. If you're planning on having a tv in the room, blinds would be the most practical in preventing glare and can be dressed up with decorative borders. If privacy is not too great a concern, perhaps it would be good to live in the house and see how you use the house and what rooms you're in at different times of the day.
Ann
9 years ago
Definitely think about each room separately. I got Plantation Shutters in bedrooms and across the front of the house (which is just an office and laundry room). They were very expensive, but I love them in those places. Then, drapes with a simple Hunter Douglas pleated shade underneath the drapes in the dining room. Then, nice Hunter Douglas Vignette shades in the living room where they practically disappear when open and let in all the light. Then, less expensive Hunter Douglas roller shades in the basement. So, give it a great deal of thought, room by room. You only need to be consistent in the same room or somewhere like the front of your home where you might want a consistent look from outside.
happyleg
9 years ago
Get uv protection.
shars55
9 years ago
Love my plantation shutters! If I need more light, I just open them....works fine. Most of the time I just adjust the slats so there's no direct sunlight coming in the house. The direct sunlight will ruin everything anyway.
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Interior Affairs -- Vickie Daeley
9 years ago
I love shutters too....but only for the right places. When it comes to a view never....when it comes to a pretty backyard...never...privacy and sun protection mostly. Here is what I would do...you will need to have sun protection I am sure...and possible privacy...but you still want to enhance the room with beautiful window treatments. When it comes to designing a room...this is one of the elements that are so important to consider as part of the whole scheme. Too often, I see people invest in shutters or something else and then when they are ready..to actually place furniture correctly...they are married to the treatment and this becomes an obstacle to the design...we always manage to get through it but we as designers know we could have done a much better job had we the opportunity. So, the my answer is do the entire room...at once at least plan it well enough that you can make the right decision the first time spending the money once for each item that will go in the room.
I can help you with this and my company has created a system that works long distance if you are interested. 714-970-8000
libradesigneye
9 years ago
Amy - Consider a pair of shades for the window on the right of the breakfast / dining area - treat it like two together. In the living room, I would hang drapery rods wide of the entire thing, consider soft romans hung at the ceiling line so they make a valance over all three (larger in the middle might even be a dummy valance since I'm not sure I would ever drop it, and then hang flanking panels. You can't see "through" linen at night, but you can see light and if someone is really close to the window / between the internal light and window you might see a shadow or shape. Nothing that would make you feel you didn't have privacy. . .