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Hidden tilt shutters in a kitchen

Benefits of Hidden Tilt Rods On Your Plantation Shutters in Minneapolis

November 18, 2019

 When you want plantation shutters, you’ll have some decisions to make. Do I want real wood shutters or faux wood shutters? What size louver should I pick? What paint or stain on my window treatments will work best with my style?

One option you may not be aware of is the option between a normal front-mount tilt rod versus a hidden or rear-mount tilt rod. Let’s look at some pros and cons of hidden tilt rods, and if you should consider a hidden tilt for your shutters in Minneapolis.

What Are Hidden and Rear-Mounted Tilt Rods?

Most people are familiar with traditional plantation shutters where the louvers move with a center tilt rod. When you want to adjust the plantation shutters to allow more or less light, you simply hold the tilt rod and glide it up or down to slant the louvers.

A rear-mount tilt rod is a fine metal strip on the back of the louver that is hard to see from the front. When you slant one louver, the rest move as one unit.

Some companies offer a hidden tilt rod situated in the side of the treatment to control how the louver’s tilt. However, these types of hidden tilt rods are more prone to break and harder to fix, which is why we recommend hidden tilt rods as rear-mount only.

White plantation shutters with hidden tilt rods in MinneapolisWhite plantation shutters with hidden tilt rods in Minneapolis 

What Are the Advantages of Rear-Mount and Hidden Tilt Rods?

Hidden or rear-mount tilt rods have a couple of benefits over traditional front-mounted tilt rods.

  1. Clean look - Plantation shutters with hidden tilt rods work with homes that use a modern or contemporary design due to their minimalistic design.

  2. Works well with thin or tiny windows - Hidden tilt rods are perfect for thin and tiny windows due to their unfussy look.

What Are Some Problems of Hidden Tilt Rods?

Hidden or rear-mounted tilt rods aren’t for everyone. Let’s look at a couple drawbacks to hidden tilt rods.

  1. Shutters with hidden tilt rods might seem too sparse for some homeowners - Many homeowners in Minneapolis like the traditional plantation shutter look and design with the tilt rod front and center. The front tilt rod shows more shape and substance to your window treatments, versus plantation shutters using a hidden tilt rod where the look is more modern.

  2. Some people find front-facing tilt rods easier to use - Front-facing tilt rods may be easier for some homeowners to operate. You simply move the tilt rod and adjust the louvers to open and close, in lieu in having to tilt the louvers themselves.

What Homeowners Should Consider Hidden Tilt Rods on Their Plantation Shutters?

Hidden Tilt Rod Plantation Shutters

What style of tilt rod you pick is often due to your preference and your room’s decor. When you own a home with traditional decor, we advocate front-mounted tilt rods. If your rooms are more contemporary, you could consider rear-mounted tilt rods.

Family traffic like kids and pets could also be a concern regarding the rear-mount option. Many teachers in Minneapolis who own child care from their home request hidden or rear-mount tilt rods so that there’s a smaller chance of a child breaking a front-mounted tilt rod.

Want Help Picking the Perfect Shutter For Your Home?

If you’re interested in buying plantation shutters in Minneapolis but need some expert advice, give us a call at 952-856-8130 or send us the form below to schedule a free in-home consultation. Our reps will bring samples and we’ll demonstrate all of your options - including your tilt rod options - so you can see them in your own home.