Choosing blinds and shutters for your windows
Blinds and shutters do a similar basic job, controlling light and privacy at a window, but the range of options on offer can make choosing between them surprisingly tricky. Roller blinds are usually the simplest and most versatile option: a single piece of fabric that winds onto a tube at the top of the window, available in blackout, translucent or patterned fabrics, and generally sitting toward the more cost-effective end of the range, which makes them a common choice for a straightforward, tidy look in almost any room.
Venetian blinds use horizontal slats, typically in aluminium or wood, that tilt to control light without needing to be fully raised or lowered. Aluminium venetians are generally the cheaper of the two and tend to cope better with humidity, which makes them a fairly common choice for kitchens and bathrooms, whereas genuine wood slats are usually better suited to drier living rooms and bedrooms since timber can warp or discolour in damp conditions over time — PVC or "faux wood" alternatives are often marketed as a moisture-resistant middle ground. Vertical blinds, with long slats hanging from a track, are commonly used on wide windows, patio doors and sliding doors, and are generally one of the more cost-effective ways to cover a large expanse of glass.
Roman blinds fold into neat horizontal pleats when raised and give a softer, more tailored look than a roller blind; because they typically use more fabric and a more involved construction, they tend to sit toward the pricier end of the fabric-blind range. Day and night blinds, sometimes called vision or zebra blinds, alternate bands of sheer and opaque fabric that can be aligned to vary between full privacy, filtered light or a clearer view, and are generally positioned as a middle-ground option between a simple roller blind and full blackout.
Plantation shutters, solid, adjustable louvres set into a frame fitted within or around the window recess, are a more permanent fixture than any fabric blind. Because they're built from solid wood, engineered wood or aluminium rather than fabric, they're commonly described as adding more of an insulating effect at the window than blinds typically offer, and as a fixed installation they're generally positioned as the most expensive of the main options, marketed as a longer-term investment rather than a low-cost quick change. Which option makes sense for a given room usually comes down to a combination of factors: how much moisture the room sees, how much light control and privacy is wanted, how the budget compares across the options, and simply the look you're going for.
Cord safety is a genuinely important factor rather than a minor detail, particularly in households with young children. Since 2014, UK regulations built around the European standard BS EN 13120 have required internal blinds sold in the UK to meet child safety requirements, meaning corded blinds generally must be supplied with a safety device, such as a cord cleat or a tensioning system, so that a free-hanging loop of cord isn't left accessible, along with restrictions on cord length relative to floor height. It's illegal to supply or professionally install an internal blind that doesn't meet these requirements, and for bedrooms, nurseries or any room where young children spend time, cordless or motorised options are commonly recommended as the simplest way to remove the risk altogether.
Professionally fitted, made-to-measure blinds and shutters generally follow a similar process regardless of supplier. It typically starts with a home visit to survey and measure each window accurately, a visit for a typical house is commonly quoted at somewhere around 45 minutes to an hour, during which fabric, colour and finish samples are usually shown and a firm quote given once products are chosen. Shutters in particular need careful measuring around window handles, recess depth and frame position to get a properly fitted result. Lead times vary by product and supplier, but guides commonly suggest made-to-measure blinds take somewhere in the region of one to a few weeks from order to fitting, while bespoke shutters often take longer because of the more involved manufacturing process; the final fitting appointment itself can range from a couple of hours to a day or two depending on how many windows are involved.
Frequently asked questions
Blinds are generally lighter fabric or slatted coverings that can be changed relatively easily, while shutters are a more permanent, built-in fixture, typically the more expensive option of the two, but often positioned as a longer-term investment.
Rooms with higher moisture levels are generally better suited to moisture-resistant materials such as aluminium venetian blinds, PVC or faux-wood slats, or waterproof roller fabrics, rather than genuine wood, which can warp or discolour in damp conditions.
Yes, but since 2014 UK regulations based on the standard BS EN 13120 require corded blinds to be supplied with child safety devices such as cord cleats or tensioners, along with restrictions on how far cords can hang, particularly where young children may be present.
This varies by supplier and product, but guides commonly suggest roughly one to a few weeks for made-to-measure blinds, while bespoke shutters often take somewhat longer due to their more involved manufacturing process.