Shutters and curtains

Interior shutters and curtains are both popular, but they work very differently. Shutters are rigid panels with adjustable louvres, fixed to the window frame. Curtains are fabric panels hung from a track or rod. Many homes use both in different rooms.

This is general information. We don't publish prices or recommend particular brands or businesses.

Interior shutters

Shutters (often called plantation shutters) have louvres that tilt to control light and privacy. Panels can hinge open or slide. They are usually custom made for each window. Materials include timber, composite and aluminium; ask suppliers which suit wet areas or sunny windows.

Curtains

Curtains range from sheers that soften light to heavy, lined drapes. They can be drawn completely clear of the glass, and they can be one of the most effective internal coverings for reducing heat loss when fitted well.

Heat loss and pelmets

Sustainability Victoria explains that a well-fitted curtain combined with a pelmet significantly reduces heat loss through windows. It recommends:

• closely woven, close-fitting curtains or blinds;
• a snug fit at both sides and the top;
• pelmets or a solid barrier above the rail, or positioning the curtain within the window space;
• tracks that return the curtain to the wall;
• closing coverings when heating is on, especially at night.

energy.gov.au also suggests curtains that reach the floor and wrap to the wall, with a light-coloured blockout lining.

Choosing for each room

Consider light, privacy, moisture, how often you'll open the covering, and cleaning. Shutters suit street-facing rooms where you want fixed privacy with adjustable light. Curtains suit living rooms and bedrooms where warmth and softness matter. Combining sheers with blockout curtains or a blind gives flexibility.

Questions to ask suppliers

• What materials are available, and which suit this room?
• How will the shutter or track be fixed, and how much clearance is needed?
• For curtains, what lining options are available, and can you provide a pelmet or returns?

Thinking room by room

Different rooms ask different things of a window covering. Bedrooms usually need privacy and darkness. Living areas need glare control during the day and privacy at night. Kitchens need coverings that are easy to wipe and won't be damaged by steam or grease. Bathrooms need materials that tolerate moisture. Children's rooms need cordless or carefully secured systems. Street-facing rooms may need privacy during the day as well as at night. Walk through your home at different times of day and note how the light falls, which windows face the street, and where heat or cold is a problem. That list becomes the brief you give to suppliers, and it helps you avoid choosing one product for every window when different rooms need different things.

Ask for samples

Colours and textures look different on a screen, in a showroom and in your home. Ask suppliers for fabric or material samples, and look at them at the window at different times of day. Hold blockout samples up to bright light to see how much passes through. Check sunscreen samples for the view out by day and the view in at night. Compare colours against walls, floors and furniture. If you're choosing for several rooms, keep the samples together and label them. Many people find that the sample they liked in the showroom isn't the one they choose at home.

Noise and comfort

Soft furnishings can help make rooms feel quieter and more comfortable by reducing echo. Heavier lined curtains and fabric blinds may help more than hard materials, though window coverings alone won't block outside noise like better glazing can. If noise is a major concern, ask a glazing specialist about options and treat coverings as one part of the solution.

Style and the whole home

Window coverings have a big effect on how a room looks. Consider whether you want coverings to blend with the walls or become a feature, and whether you want a consistent look across the front of the house. Neutral colours can suit a range of styles; patterns and textures add character. Think about how coverings look from outside as well as inside. Many people choose the same colour backing for all street-facing windows for a tidy look.

Sun, fading and orientation

Windows facing north and west in Melbourne typically get stronger sun, and fabrics exposed to strong sunlight can fade over time. Linings, lighter backings and sunscreen fabrics can help protect furniture and floors as well as the coverings themselves. Think about orientation when choosing fabrics and colours, and ask suppliers about fabric performance in sunny positions.

Warranties and your rights

Many suppliers offer warranties on fabrics, mechanisms and installation. Read what's covered, for how long and what you need to do to claim. Keep your quote, invoice, care instructions and warranty documents together. Consumer Affairs Victoria explains that consumer guarantees apply automatically to products and services, in addition to any warranty a business offers. Products must be of acceptable quality and match their description, and services must be provided with due care and skill. If something goes wrong, contact the business promptly, in writing, with photos.

Working to a budget

We don't publish prices, because they depend on the product, size, fabric, controls and installation. To make a budget go further, prioritise the rooms where coverings matter most, such as bedrooms and street-facing rooms, and stage the rest. Get written quotes for the same specification from several suppliers so you can compare fairly. Ask whether simpler fabrics or controls would meet your needs.

Where our information comes from

We base the safety and energy information in this guide on official sources, including ACCC Product Safety Australia, the Federal Register of Legislation, YourHome, Sustainability Victoria, energy.gov.au and Consumer Affairs Victoria, listed at the end of the page. Practical tips about products are general guidance only. Requirements and guidance change, so we show the date we last checked the page. Before relying on any detail, follow the source links.

Getting help from suppliers

Good suppliers will explain options clearly, bring samples, measure carefully and put everything in writing. Don't be afraid to ask questions, including why they recommend a particular product, what alternatives exist, and how the covering will be fixed and operated. Ask to see examples of similar installations. If a supplier can't answer clearly, or pressures you to sign on the spot, take your time and get another quote. A clear, unhurried conversation is usually a good sign that the rest of the process will go smoothly too.

Living with your choice

Once coverings are installed, give yourself a few weeks to see how they work through different weather and light. Notice whether rooms feel warmer, darker or more private, and whether coverings are easy to use. If something isn't operating properly, contact the supplier early rather than waiting. Small adjustments, such as tension on a chain or alignment of a shutter panel, are often simple to fix soon after installation. Make a note of anything you'd do differently for the next room.

Accessibility and ease of use

Think about who will be operating each covering. Heavy blinds, high windows and stiff controls can be hard for some people to use, including older people and people with limited reach or grip. Motorised controls, wands, lighter fabrics and splitting wide windows into smaller coverings can make daily use easier. Ask suppliers to demonstrate controls before you order, and consider where switches or remotes will be kept.

Key points

• Shutters are rigid and adjustable; curtains are flexible and soft.
• Close-fitting curtains with pelmets reduce heat loss.
• Close coverings when the heating is on.
• Choose materials suited to moisture and sun.
• Compare like-for-like written quotes.