Most home dwellers face this issue at some point — “Should I get shutters, curtains, or blinds for my bedrooms?” The best way to fix it is to research each option and figure out which one is best.
Shutters are a popular choice, but are they good for bedrooms? In this article, I’ll cover just that so you won’t have to waste time and money installing them.
Are Shutters Good for Bedrooms?
Yes, shutters can be good for bedrooms. They have many benefits, like wildfire protection, storm protection, light filtering, and privacy. However, they may not be the right choice for you if windows are your main fire exit, if they’re too expensive, or if they don’t work with your windows.
Why Are Shutters Great for Bedrooms?
There are just about endless reasons why shutters are great for bedrooms. Here are just a few of them:
Storm Protection
Installing storm shutters outside your windows can help protect the glass from hail and flying debris during storms. If you have a patio outside your bedroom, you can also add shutters to glass doors for extra protection.
Fire Protection
One of the most vulnerable parts of your house might come as a shock — it’s the windows. When there’s a fire outside, window failure can happen for many reasons, including:
- Heat from the fire breaking the glass
- Temperature differences between different parts of the glass
- Debris flying through the window
When you have exterior shutters, it absorbs some heat and takes the blow from any debris.
While they can’t fully prevent your house from catching on fire, they can reduce the risk, slow the fire, and give you time to escape.
Reduced Solar Heat Gain
“Solar heat gain” might sound like a fancy scientific term, I know. Basically, it refers to how the sun’s radiation hits objects and heats them up.
That goes for you when you’re outside on a sunny day and for your home. The more windows you have, the more solar heat gain you’ll experience, especially if you have east and west-facing windows.
When you close the shutters, they block out the solar radiation. Then your home is less bright and hot, which is especially great for summer.
It can also help your plants out, too. If they don’t like direct sunlight, but you like how they look near the window, you can partially close the shutters so they get less exposure.
Light Control
One of the most obvious (but still important) benefits of shutters is their ability to block out light.
Are there bright street lamps keeping you up at night? Do your neighbors keep their garage door light on all night?
Or do you work the night shift and have to sleep during the day?
No matter what the situation is, dark rooms help you sleep better. Shutters can help you do just that.
Privacy
Another benefit shutters are known for is privacy. Whether you’re getting dressed in the morning or in your PJs at night, there are certain moments when you don’t want people peering in from the outside.
Even if you’re not doing anything embarrassing, it can still feel a little strange to have your mailman see you make dinner or your neighbors watch you dance around with friends.
For those moments and more, you can close the shutters and keep your inside life inside.
Noise Reduction
Most people don’t buy shutters for noise reduction, but it’s still a benefit to consider.
When you have shutters, there is another barrier between the outside and inside of your home besides the glass. Some sound waves will bounce off the shutters, making the sound quieter to you.
Protection from Break-ins
Imagine you’re a burglar for a second.
There are two rooms you’re considering breaking into. One of them has a bedroom with standard glass windows, and the other has a bedroom with shutters.
Which one would you pick? The one without shutters, of course!
Just as they act as a barrier to sound and light, they also act as a barrier for people, too.
Imagine having to go through all that effort to pry through a shutter along with breaking the glass. You might as well turn yourself in to the police!
As they say, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” I’m not saying shutters make it impossible for criminals to get in.
They just act as an extra security measure for your peace of mind. I’d say it’s worth it to sleep soundly at night.
Save on Energy Bills
I mentioned earlier that shutters reduce solar heat gain, but the opposite is true, too.
With so much control over the sun’s heat, you won’t need to rely on the AC as much. Because of this, you’ll save a little on your energy bills each month.
Many Different Styles
There are so many different types of shutters.
Don’t believe me? Here’s a list:
- Plantation shutters
- Storm shutters
- Paneled shutters
- Louvered shutters
- Board and batten shutters
- Cafe-style shutters
- Scandinavian shutters
- Combination shutters
- Roller shutters
Whew, that was a mouthful, and I haven’t even listed all of them! Suffice it to say that if you have specific shutter needs, there’s a type out there for you.
What Are the Disadvantages of Shutters for Bedrooms?
As great as shutters can be, they have their flaws. Here are a few of them:
Needs Adjustment Throughout the Day
The fact that you can use shutters to control the light and heat in your room is a pro, yes, but that same benefit is also a con.
Having shutters means you’ll have to adjust them at some point during the day for them to be effective. Depending on how adjustable they are, that could be once a day or multiple times throughout the day.
And if you have a ton of windows in your bedroom? I don’t think I have to tell you how inconvenient that is.
Exterior Shutters Are Not Usually Insulated
If you choose to get exterior shutters, you should know that not all of them are insulated. That means if there’s any air leaking through your windows, it will leak through the shutters, too.
The only way to fix this is to get airtight shutters.
Interior Shutters Can Create Condensation
If you have interior shutters, you’ll run into a different con — condensation. These shutters decrease the temperature of the interior glazing surface. When interior humidity hits it, it makes your window more likely to have condensation on it. If you live in a humid climate, having to clean your windows constantly can get annoying pretty fast.
May Need Custom Fitting
If you get curtains, you may need to measure the right size for your home decor needs, but you usually don’t have to go and buy custom curtains.
Shutters aren’t like that. You usually need to get them custom fit for your windows, especially if they’re interior shutters.
That means you’ll not only have to pay for the shutters themselves, but also service fees.
Limited Visibility
As I said before, shutters are great when you don’t want people outside looking in at you.
Unfortunately, the opposite is true, too. If you’re trying to look outside, there will be a barrier in your way.
With some shutters like interior shutters, there will always be a barrier even when they’re open.
If you live in a home with a beautiful view or you just want to see what’s going on outside, you may appreciate the extra visibility other solutions provide.
Doesn’t Work with Every Kind of Window
Since there are so many types of shutters, you can find one that fits nearly any type of window. So what’s the problem here?
Well, even if you get it to fit in the window, it may not work logically with your windows. For example, if you have interior shutters and a tilt-in window, you can’t just tilt in the window like you can without shutters.
More Difficult to Install
Shutters aren’t like blinds, where you can take them off to dust them and then put them back on in a snap. They’re also not like curtains, where you can just pull them off the curtain rod and buy new ones.
Nope, shutters are designed to stay on your windows for good, so that means they require more care and attention to install. And if you need to get them custom-installed, you’ll likely need professional help.
Can’t Be Changed Easily
The same con I just mentioned leads to another con — you can’t just change your shutters on a whim. If they don’t fit your bedroom’s style anymore, you’ll have to go through more hassle to uninstall them and install new ones.
When Should and Shouldn’t We Use Shutters for Bedrooms?
It’s always good to pay attention to the pros and cons and weigh whether you want shutters or not.
But what about situations where you need shutters? Or, on the flip side, what about situations when you shouldn’t have shutters?
Let’s take a look at both.
You Should Use Shutters…
When You’re In a Dangerous Area
The privacy and safety benefits you’ll get from shutters are far more worth it if you live in an area with a high crime rate.
When Your Region Is Prone to Natural Disasters
You’ll need shutters to stay protected if you live in an area with frequent wildfires, hurricanes, tornados, or pretty much any other kind of natural disaster.
You Shouldn’t Use Shutters…
When They’re Prohibited
Oftentimes, shutters involve making semi-permanent or permanent modifications to your home. If you’re renting or have some kind of lease agreement, you’ll need to check with your landlord to make sure it’s okay first.
When They Create a Safety Hazard
Fire safety professionals don’t recommend leaving your storm shutters up all year.
Why? Well, you can’t use your windows as a fire exit when they have shutters on them.
If a fire starts in your bedroom, the door is blocked, and there are no other safety exits, you may be trapped in your room.
Things to Consider When Choosing Bedrooms Shutters
Since there are so many types of shutters, here’s a quick guide to narrow down your options.
Type
As I said before, there are so many types of shutters. I’m not going to list them all in this article, but at a basic level, you’ll need to decide whether you want indoor or outdoor shutters.
Indoor shutters are great for quickly filtering light in and out, but they may need to be custom-fit in your windows. Outdoor shutters provide more protection during storms and wildfires, but they also affect the aesthetics outside of your home.
Aesthetics
And hey, speaking of aesthetics, shutters can affect them. If you put your shutters inside your bedroom, you’ll have to look at them every day, and if you put them outside, they may affect your home’s curb appeal.
You’ll want to make sure the shutters you choose have the benefits you’re looking for without making your home feel ugly.
Features
As great as it would be to have the ultimate shutters that have all the pros without any cons, sadly, those don’t exist.
Is it more important that your shutters are easy to adjust or that they’re insulated? You’ll need to weigh the features to see which ones are right for you.
Price Point
Not all shutters are created equal, and that’s especially evident with the price ranges. Some shutters can cost you hundreds of dollars per window, while others are more budget-friendly.
You’ll need to decide whether it’s worth it to splurge on some fancy shutters or buy cheaper ones that get the job done.
Bedroom Shutters Cost
Bedroom shutters’ prices vary almost as widely as their styles. On average, plantation shutters (one of the most popular types) cost between $70 and $350 per window, depending on the type and material used.
So, let’s say you have three bedrooms in your home, each with two windows. That means you could be out $420, or you could be out $2,100. Keep in mind that this does not include the cost of installation, which can be between $91 and $300.
Hurricane shutters, another popular type, can cost between $35 and $1,225 for an average 24″x42″ window.
All in all, bedroom shutters can cost you anywhere from under $50 to well over $1,000 per window (not including installation costs). If you’re concerned about your budget, I’d highly recommend talking to a local installer for a quote before taking the leap.
Shutters for Bedroom Ideas
While you might think of shutters mainly for all their practical benefits, they can also be quite beautiful. I’d recommend taking a look at these shutters for bedroom ideas if you’re looking for some inspiration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Shutters Make a Room Look Smaller?
In general, no. Shutters can actually make a room feel bigger when they’re open, since brighter rooms feel bigger than dark ones.
If you use light-colored interior shutters, they can make a room feel bigger even when they’re closed.
I’d say the only time it could make a room look smaller is if they’re interior shutters in a dark color.
Are Shutters Dark Enough for Bedrooms?
Okay, so shutters can’t completely black out your room. Still, they’re one of the most effective methods of blocking out light.
Your room will be nearly pitch black when they’re closed, so I would say they’re generally dark enough for bedrooms.
Can You Use Curtains With Shutters?
Yes, absolutely. Curtains don’t interfere with the inside of your windows or the outside of your home, so you can add them as usual.
They can provide many aesthetic benefits, like having one more thing to color-coordinate.
They can be practical, too. For example, if you don’t have adjustable shutters, you could pull out some translucent curtains to filter some of the light when they’re open.