Shutters vs Drapery
Shutters and drapery are among the most high-end and luxurious forms of indoor window treatments. However, they are very different products in many respects. Drapery is a soft fabric product, while shutters are made of solid materials like wood and PVC. Drapery slides horizontally to open and close, while shutters tilt to adjust the level of light that can pass through them and swing open on their hinges. Here are the main advantages and disadvantages of these two products relative to one another.
Functions and Features
Both drapery and window shutters provide the option of full coverage and of a totally unobstructed view. They also provide options for partial window coverage, although they do so in markedly different ways. Window shutters employ a system of tilting louver blades that allow you to choose the level and angle of sunlight and vision that can enter your home. Drapes, on the other hand have to be pulled fully to the side to allow sunlight to pass through, but they make up for this with their ability to be layered. By adding a layer of sheer, UV-resistant fabric to your drapery, you’ll be able to choose between the solid coverage of your opaque layer and the anti-glare protection of your solar sheer. This is great for protecting your health and your belongings from harmful rays, while still leaving you able to enjoy the natural light and the view from your window. Drapery is also a more comfortable option than window shutters, so if you want something soft to lean against, it’s a much better option.
Visual Appeal
Both shutters and drapery are considered luxury window treatments due to their high levels of visual appeal. Drapes and shutters can both help a room to stand out in their own ways by bringing beauty and a distinguished look. Drapery is more customizable, with options for different types and styles of fabric, as well as different rods and finials. However, ultimately it is window shutters that offer the greatest visual boost to your home. They bring a level of craftsmanship and class that cannot be matched by other types of window treatments.
Durability and Cleaning
Window shutters are built to be solid and difficult to damage, making them a highly durable option that even provides a level of protection to your windows. While wood shutters can struggle with high levels of moisture, this is also true of drapery, and you can avoid this problem by choosing PVC shutters, although that does cause you to lose out on the natural warmth and charm or authentic wood. Since shutters are a solid surface, cleaning them is typically an easier process than cleaning drapery, and they are less vulnerable to unfortunate spills and other messes than drapery. For durability and ease of maintenance, window shutters are the clear favourite.
Affordability
While drapery is typically considered to be among the more expensive window covering options, it is still a more affordable choice than window shutters. While some drapery fabrics can be quite expensive, reasonably affordable fabrics do exist.
Summary
Shutters and drapery both sit among the more luxury window treatment options, though window shutters are probably the most luxurious option of all. Depending on your preference for the type of partial obstruction provided by your window coverings, you may prefer the features of either one of these window coverings. While both are visually stunning, window shutters – particularly authentic wood shutters – offer the most in terms of visual appeal. Window shutters are also the more durable option, although here it is PVC shutters that really shines, and are easier to clean and maintain than drapery. However, drapery is the more affordable option between the two, so the cost may end up steering you away from the benefits of window shutters.
