Plantation shutters cost more, but they last, look great, give you adjustable light and privacy and wipe clean in seconds. Blinds cost less, come in far more fabrics and colours, and suit smaller budgets and rooms you don't use much. Most homes end up mixing both: shutters in the main living areas and bathrooms, blinds or S-Fold curtains elsewhere.
It's one of the most common questions we get at a measure, and the answer is rarely "one or the other for the whole house". Here's how they compare, and what we'd suggest room by room.
Plantation shutters
The good:
- Adjustable light and privacy from the same louvres
- Low maintenance, with no fabric to wash or fade
- Built to last, and they lift the look of a home
- Australian made, and made to measure for each window
The trade-offs:
- They cost more than most blinds
- They don't fold completely out of the way the way a blind rolls up
Blinds
The good:
- Lower cost, so you can do more rooms on the same budget
- A huge choice of fabrics, colours and styles
- Options for full blockout in bedrooms
- Easy to roll right up and out of sight
The trade-offs:
- Fabric can mark or fade over time
- Not quite the same "built-in" look as shutters
Room by room
Living room. Shutters are a favourite here, often paired with S-Fold sheers for softness. It's the room you and your visitors see most.
Bedrooms. If you need it properly dark, blockout roller blinds or room-darkening S-Fold curtains do the best job. Shutters give you lovely light control, but some light will still get in around the louvres.
Bathrooms. Shutters give privacy with plenty of light and wipe clean easily.
Kitchen. Simple roller blinds or venetians are easy to live with.
Sliding doors and big windows. Panel glides, vertical blinds, S-Fold curtains or sliding shutter panels.
Spare rooms and the study. Roller blinds keep the cost down where you don't need the wow factor.
Still deciding?
See them side by side in our showroom in Garbutt (by appointment), or book a free measure and we'll suggest what suits each room. More on our shutters and blinds.
Common questions
Are plantation shutters better than blinds?
Not better, just different. Shutters are more durable and lower maintenance. Blinds cost less and come in more fabrics. The best choice depends on the room and your budget.
What's best for sliding doors?
Wide openings suit sliding or bi-fold shutter panels, panel glides, vertical blinds or S-Fold curtains, depending on the look you're after.
Can I mix shutters and blinds in the same house?
Yes, and most people do. Shutters in the rooms you use most, and blinds or curtains in the rest, is a common way to balance the look and the budget.
GNB Shade & Security Specialists (Garry Neven Blinds) is a family-owned business in Garbutt, Townsville, with more than 30 years in security screens, plantation shutters, blinds, roller shutters and outdoor blinds. We're a licensed Invisi-Gard dealer, everything we sell is made in Australia, and we measure, build and install to order. Free measure and quote on 07 4728 9554.
