I’ve searched for information and only have one question left regarding my decision to upgrade the front and side of my house to plantation shutters, and that is whether to go with traditional middle tilt bar or to spend 15% more and upgrade to the invisible tilt bar. My house is 22 years old with window grids…I’m not upgrading my actual windows anytime soon (ridiculously expensive), however, I’m assuming that when evenutally upgraded I may go without grids. Having the standard middle tilt bar with window grids creates the traditional look but also the window looks a bit busy. However, does not having the middle tilt bar make it look more like regular blinds externally and less aesthetically pleasing? If you know of good websites to check let me know. Any thoughts are helpful!
If you have someone come out like a budget blinds to give you a quote, I’m sure they can tell you.
Thank you, I’ve had 2 companies out to give me quotes. Both have said it’s a matter of opinion on the aesthetics. Having the middle tilt does reduce the amount of light and currently we only have regular 3.5" blinds on the window which remain open 100% of the time so we get full light. A lot of the real estate agents in my area also do decor consulting so don’t really help unless you engage them as an agent or consultant. Just looking for thoughts (educated opinions) maybe something I’m missing, and maybe just overthinking - but, it is very expensive, at least for my budget, so I’d like to get it right.
So is your question more about what do you choose for yourself or what do you choose if you’d sell??? You’ve decided for sure on plantation shutters and just want advice on the tilt?
I think it’s personal preference.
To me, the invisible tilt bar looks more modern/contemporary because it’s a “cleaner” look.
If you think you’ll be changing out your window to grid-less, I’d go with the invisible tilt so you don’t have an unnecessary “line”.
I am definitely doing plantation shutters in the front/side. I just am unsure of the middle tilt. You can definitely tell that the home has plantation shutters from the street view with the middle tilt, with the invisible tilt, it may just look like regular blinds. It does matter to me the street appearance - so I’m just waffling on this decision.
Thank you - I’m definitely leaning that way, just go back and forth because from the inside, definitely would prefer invisible tilt but the outside appearance does matter to me as well. But, I guess as more and more folks go with invisible tilt then the center tilt will begin to be an “old” look?
Oh yeah you want people to know you have shutters.
So whatever ensures that I’d do. If they look like blinds, I’d just get blinds and save the loot.
Ha ha, I live in the south so I take things as “snarky” sometimes when they are not meant that way. Not that I necessarily want others to know that I have shutters, but it is a look/appearance that shows from a front/side view, kind of part of the driveup. The difference is blinds do not look that great from inside the house…and I’m not selling, so this is for me. Trust me I’ve looked around the south to downsize and so far, nothing I like better than what I have.
Definitely invisible tilt. Cleaner look and much easier to clean. But, as your suppliers said, it IS personal preference.
I live in the South and it’s not being snarky - but if I’m spending on something, I want people to know I spent.
I had hardiplank - because it looks like vinyl siding - but in my neighborhood vinyl isn’t allowed - but if it looks like it 
Plantations cost a lot and one day you might sell your home and I think it matters.
Honestly not being snarky - and it’s just me of course…everyone is different.
I would be much more concerned about how the shutters look from inside the house than from the street.
There’s a good description of pros and cons here. We have several with split visible vertical rods (high sections low sections) which “came with the house” and I would not change - but that is just my personal preference. The invisible rod ones look like blinds to me.
Thank you for the link - you’re correct, they do look like blinds, at least externally.
I’ve never seen the hidden - so that’s interesting.
I’m not sure they look like blinds though in the sense that they are thicker and it seems like less fill a window.
But as you all note, one looks like shutters and the other - at least according to you and the experts - don’t.
If you buy a Ferrari or Porsche, you do so in part so that people see you.
That’s sort of how I feel.
Good luck whatever you decide.
PS - I don’t think the ones with rid on middle (I have that) look bad - but I’m old school and might be why.
Our last house had shutters with the center rod and our current house has invisible tilt. I much prefer the invisible tilt. They definitely look like shutters inside and out. (We have thick slats to let in more light). The center rod ones were harder to use and clean, and the staples in the rod kept pulling out. We have the new ones on grid and picture windows and the look is clean but not too modern.
@ BImom23 I totally agree. For what it’s worth, I’m Southern, very traditional and really care about how my house looks from the street. I’ve had the tilt rods in every house before this one and definitely prefer invisible tilt. It’s a cleaner look, much easier to dust and I also think they are sturdier and less likely to get knocked out of position.
I understand your desire that they don’t look like blinds, but I don’t think they will at all if you get larger louvers. Mine are 3 1/2" and I think they are a great middle ground of tradition and letting in a lot of light. The other reason I don’t think they could be confused with blinds is that there are center stiles where the shutters meet in the middle unless your windows are very narrow. Blinds go straight across even on really wide windows.
I like the middle bar look, that’s my delimna as it is the traditional plantation shutter look… but with grids in my window it is a pretty busy look. Other than that, the amount of light let in is different as well, more light with hidden tilt.
I think that’s what I’m looking for! But I don’t know anyone that actually has them so your input is very helpful.
I am also looking at the 3 1/2 - was concerned that 4 1/2 would be just too big, but it sounds like you believe 3 1/2 with invible tilt lets in a fair amoutn of light?