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Bathroom with plantation shutters

Tips For Choosing A Waterproof Window Treatment in Minneapolis

September 29, 2016

No matter where your home is, from Minneapolis to hundreds of miles away, your home has a need in common with every other one in the country: waterproof window treatments. Whatever the age of your home, the conditions outside, or the number of people who are living with you, you’ll usually have the same moisture-heavy rooms: the basement, bathrooms, and the kitchen.

Like most homeowners know, not every window treatment is created equal when it comes to how capably they handle water and humidity. To help out, we’ll break down successful each window treatment is at standing up to wetness and let you know which ones work best in the areas that experience the most humidity.

Level 1: Window Treatments That Don’t Deal With Moisture

Seasoned Minneapolis homeowners know that there are certain materials that can’t handle water. Simply ask any hardwood floor owner what moisture can do to lumber. Solid wood dislikes water, as it can cause wood to bloat and deform, which can make wood window treatments unusable. Extended contact with water may also turn the inherent hollows of the wood into the perfect home for mildew. Due to these facts, solid wood furnishings and window treatments should probably not be chosen for rooms that may get damp such as the kitchen.

Fabric window treatments don’t do great with water either. Even though the damage to fabric won’t be as considerable or easy to see, prolonged and recurrent contact with water can compromise the weave of several fabrics, and that can lead to discoloration and fabric deterioration.

Level 2: Water-resistant Window Treatments

Minneapolis kitchen faux wood blinds.
 
Albeit not quite waterproof, window treatments at this level won’t be at risk of long term damage when placed in moisture-heavy rooms. This group of window treatments comprises just about every product labeled as “faux wood,” like faux wood blinds. Faux wood blinds offer the aesthetic of a natural wood window treatment, adding top-notch fashion to your bathroom and much-needed privacy, without the anxiety that comes every time it gets too humid.

More window treatments that can stand up to most of the damage from water are metal blinds. Although they don’t offer the same design appeal and coverage that different window treatments do, aluminum blinds are versatile. They’re offered in a large variety of colors, with available cut out possibilities and privacy features, at the same time being well-suited to the kitchen or bathroom. But blinds that possess cords or fabric bands may not be optimal for moisture-rich areas.

Level 3: Totally Waterproof Window Treatments

Plantation shutters in Minneapolis bathroom.
 
Here’s the level you’ve waited for: the window treatment that completely ignores moisture, water, humidity and more like no other window treatment. Sunburst Shutters Minneapolis is pleased to provide one of the few completely waterproof window treatments available in our Polywood® plantation shutters. Perfectly suited to the bathroom or laundry room, Polywood shutters are made from a particular composite that is completely invulnerable to the damaging effects of moisture, no matter if they’re coming from inside your house or from the weather outside.

Don’t believe it? We can show you the lengths at which Polywood can handle moisture, and we’re so confident in its longevity that we guarantee every product with our Lifetime Limited Warranty. In fact, you could hose Polywood shutters off in your lawn and they’d still perform like new, with no issues.

Make Your Windows Ready For Anything, Minneapolis

If your home is in a rainy or coastal area, or if you want more effective window treatments for the bathroom or kitchen, a waterproof window treatment should be your number one priority. Let Sunburst Shutters Minneapolis give an assist by calling 952-856-8130 to set up your free in-homewindow treatment consultation. And to receive more suggestions for those rooms and beyond, read through our new Ultimate Room Guide to learn about the perfect window treatments for every room in your Minneapolis home!