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The Perfect Window Treatments For Home Theaters And Media Rooms In Gainesville

April 17, 2019

For some TV and movie lovers in Gainesville, the home theater or media room is more than a hobby room, but one of the most used rooms in the house.  The entire room is centered around the oversized 4k television.  The surround sound speaker system envelops you in award-winning scores and rich dialog. Now, you should put up the best window treatments for your home theater or media room experience.

Even if your home theater is in a living or family room, you should get everything from your television.  Of course, you need a window treatment that will adequately darken the room, so that you don’t have to deal with glare on your screen. It’s also helpful if your coverings could muffle outside sound.  And it definitely would be nice if you could find a window treatment that give you some style even when you're not viewing the latest blockbuster.  

So what are the best window treatments for a home theater or media room?

Your Window Treatments Should Dim The Light

Shutters in Theater Room

When you watch a movie in a home theater or media room, you want the room on the darker side.  The obvious choice are shades that block the outside world.  Opaque cellular shades, roller shades or Roman shades will definitely keep the room dark. And by using fabric or sold colors, you can get the room as dark as you want, where the screen is the star attraction.

However, while a cellular shade will make your room completely dark, they won’t do a exceptional job at directing light.  If you wish to have the benefit of directing light in addition to blacking out the sun, you should consider plantation shutters. Shutters have the ability to completely block out outside light when you shut the louvers. However, sometimes you might want some outside light, so the space doesn’t seem so claustrophobic. With shutters, you can let just a bit of light in, so each movie isn’t always in a dark theater.  

Your Window Treatments Should Dampen Sound

Shutters in a living room with a tv

While ensuring that your home theater or media room has the right amount of darkness is priority number one, don’t underestimate the influence of sound.  Outside noise, such as kids horsing around in the yard or a passing car, can disturb you from what you are watching. What comes from what you are watching should also be protected, as dialog and music can become muffled when it bounces off your window’s glass panes.

Cellular shades can do a great job keeping the room dark, but they may be too thin to adequately block out commotion.  Blinds can have the same issues as they hang loosely around the sides. Drapes and curtains can muffle outside sound, but might also muffle your show’s sound and prevent you from hearing a true surround-sound experience.  

Plantation shutters, as designed, block outside noise and keep your movies sounding pure.  If your neighborhood is usually peaceful, any plantation shutter should fulfill the purpose. But if you live in a neighborhood that has more outside activity, like near a school or on a well-traveled street, you will probably want to use a denser faux wood shutter. Whatever covering you choose, make sure you arrange your surround sound after after your treatments are installed so that you you get quality sound from your speakers.

The More Versatile Your Media Room, The More Practical The Window Treatment

Bedroom with shutters and oar over tv photo courtesy of Kathy at The Daily Nest

As larger screen televisions become easier to get, media rooms have started to become the main recreational area.  No longer confined to films, media rooms are used for gaming, watching sports, and general entertaining. If you use your room for more than one purpose, you will need a practical covering that looks sleek when it’s not in use.

When a cellular or roman shade is up, they the roll completely up.  This leaves your windows bare enough , letting in 100% sunlight, which may not be the best decision. Plantation shutters let your room be used as a multi-purpose space, and not just as a movie room. And since you can adjust each one as much as you need, you can deligate a side couch where friends or family may want to catch up or play a game. Everyone else can then sit in the couch watching the film .

Which Window Treatment For Your Home Theater Or Media Room Works For You?

If your home theater or media room doesn’t have many outside facing windows, then you may choose a cellular, roman or roller shade.  If you have a multi-purpose media room, then plantation shutters could be best. Either way, your Sunburst representative can help you out.  Call 813-602-5966 today to schedule your in-home consultation.