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Hidden tilt shutters in a kitchen

Benefits of Hidden Tilt Rods With Your Plantation Shutters in Gainesville

November 18, 2019

 Before you buy your plantation shutters, you’ll have a few choices to make. Do I want real wood shutters or faux wood shutters? What size louver should I get? What color of window treatments will work best with my home?

One option you may not know about is the option between a normal front-mount tilt rod and a hidden or rear-mount tilt rod. Here are some advantages and weaknesses of hidden tilt rods, and whether you should consider a hidden tilt rod for your shutters in Gainesville.

What Are Hidden and Rear-Mounted Tilt Rods?

Most people are acquainted with classic plantation shutters with the tilt rod on the center front of the shutter. When you want to adjust the window treatment to allow more or less light, you just use the tilt rod and slide it vertically to tilt the louvers.

A rear-mount tilt rod is a thin metal strip attached behind the louver that is hard to see from the front. When you move one louver, the rest move as well.

Some companies offer a hidden tilt rod that’s in the side of the shutters to control how the louver’s tilt. Unfortunately, these hidden tilt rods are more fragile and harder to fix, which is why our shutters use hidden tilt rods as rear-mount only.

White plantation shutters with hidden tilt rods in GainesvilleWhite plantation shutters with hidden tilt rods in Gainesville 

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

Hidden or rear-mount tilt rods have a few perks over conventional front-mounted tilt rods.

  1. Contemporary look - Plantation shutters with hidden tilt rods complement interiors that have a modern or contemporary feel because of their streamlined shape.

  2. Works well with thin or tiny windows - Your thin and tiny windows may want shutters with hidden tilt rods due to their unfussy look.

What Are Some Problems of Hidden Tilt Rods?

Hidden or rear-mounted tilt rods may not work for you. Here are some cons to hidden tilt rods.

  1. Shutters with hidden tilt rods might seem too modern for some people - Some people in Gainesville like the traditional plantation shutter style and design with the tilt rod where people can see it. The front tilt rod gives more definition and prominence to your window treatments, versus plantation shutters with a hidden tilt rod where the design is more streamlined.

  2. Some people find front-facing tilt rods more user-friendly - Front-facing tilt rods may be easier for some people to work with. You just hold onto the tilt rod and slant the louvers as much as you need, versus having to move the louvers themselves.

Who Should Think About Hidden Tilt Rods on Their Shutters?

Hidden Tilt Rod Plantation Shutters

What type of tilt rod you use is often due to your personal taste and your window’s characteristics. If you live in a traditionally designed home, we advocate front-mounted tilt rods. If your rooms are more modern, you might want to choose rear-mounted tilt rods.

You may also want to consider other issues, like kids or pets. Many people in Gainesville who run home-based daycares inquire about hidden or rear-mount tilt rods so that there’s a smaller chance of a child damaging a front-mounted tilt rod.

Need More Help Picking the Perfect Plantation Shutter For Your Windows?

If you’re interested in buying plantation shutters in Gainesville but need some guidance, give us a call at 813-602-5966 or fill out the form below to book a free in-home consultation. When we come, we’ll demonstrate all of your options - including your tilt rod options - so you can try them before you buy.