How do you decide on the right kind of window dressing for your home? There are many factors that you need to keep in mind.
While they have some characteristics in common, they are vastly different in other ways. Curtains are far more versatile than roller shutters regarding styling. Shutters are available in a range of colours, but these colours are usually a single shade. Curtains have a limitless display of prints and patterns so that you can do a lot more with them in terms of décor.
Curtains can irritate allergies because, in addition to trapping heat, they also trap dust and germs. They need to be washed on a regular basis, and they can take a long time to dry, especially in chilly winter months.
As they hang, they may also absorb moisture during colder months, and can end up acquiring a dank, musty smell, or developing mildew. Washing curtains can also cause them to shed some colour into the detergent, so eventually, they might become pale and streaky.
In comparison, roller shutters are easy to clean. They are aluminium on both sides, so you can clean them easily by wiping with a damp cloth dipped in mild detergent. If they’re particularly dirty, you can clean them with warm soapy water and a soft brush. The panes will dry quickly if you leave them open, though you can also wipe them dry.
Because the dust and dirt are easily wiped off, shutters will not trigger allergies and sinus issues as much as curtains will. But it’s not just dust that causes problems. Sunlight can be an issue for window dressing as well. Constant exposure to sunlight can fade your curtains, making them dull and unsightly. If they fade unevenly, they will have unattractive patches.
Roller shutters get hit by the sun’s intensity as well, but they aren’t as badly affected because they are covered with a protective layer of ultraviolet protection. They will retain their colour indefinitely because cleaning the shutters doesn’t leech colour either.
Fabric doesn’t have as much longevity as the aluminium panelling on roller shutters. The fabric can rip or get permanent stains. It can also burn quite easily, or get drenched by precipitation. In all these cases, roller shutters are preferable, because they are fireproof. They may not be waterproof, but any spills can simply be wiped off without any damage.
The main advantage that commercial roller shutters have over curtains is that they’re lockable. Their lower edges usually contain an automatic locking mechanism, but you can reinforce this locking mechanism with a padlock, either inside the house or outside it.
Regarding expense, roller shutters cost more than curtains, and they take longer to install. Curtains simply have to be hung, which can take minutes. However, if your curtains are custom made, you might have to wait a while for them to be completed before you can put them up. Ready-made curtains save time, but may not suit your chosen style.
If you’re living in a rented house, you would have to get permission from the homeowner before you can install roller shutters. You’d also have to negotiate which one of you will pay for it. And when you move out, you can’t take the shutters with you. This isn’t an issue if you’re using curtains unless the house you live in was already furnished when you moved in.
Curtains have a certain style and elegance. You can change them to suit your mood, or even have a variety that you can switch out every week. Roller shutters don’t quite have that classy touch, and whatever you install, you’re stuck with that style in the long term.
Another thing to think about is insulation. We mentioned at the beginning that both curtains and shutters could keep your house warm, but roller shutters do a better job of insulating your home. They’re made with aluminium panels held together with insulating foam, so they’re better at controlling temperature than fabric curtains are.
As you continue to consider the best choice for your windows, weigh the cost, style, convenience, and function of these two materials, then pick the one that suits you. Whichever option you settle on, get the look you want so that you enjoy being at home.
