Manufacturer partnership
Custom Blinds is an authorised BlindQuip and Hunter Douglas representative — South Africa’s benchmark window covering manufacturer. Every component is sourced from tested, certified manufacturing, not generic imports. This direct partnership means UV-tested fabrics, corrosion-rated hardware, and warranty backing from the manufacturer.
Shutters vs Blinds in South Africa
Some homes ask for the structured elegance of shutters. Others come alive with the soft versatility of blinds. The right choice depends on your space, your climate and the feeling you want to walk into every morning.
What is the difference between shutters and blinds in South Africa?
- Shutters are louvred panels fixed to the window frame, offering superior airflow control, insulation and a permanent architectural finish that adds resale value to South African homes.
- Blinds are fabric or slatted coverings mounted above the window, available in roller, venetian, honeycomb and vertical styles with wider colour ranges, lower entry prices and full motorisation options.
- Shutters last 20+ years with minimal maintenance; blinds typically last 8–12 years but cost 40–60% less upfront and suit rooms needing frequent style updates.
- For coastal properties along the Garden Route, PVC shutters resist salt air and moisture while roller blinds with UV-stabilised fabrics handle intense sun without fading.
- Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings supplies, manufactures and installs both products across George, Knysna and Plettenberg Bay with over 8,000 installations since 2010.
Need help deciding? Call Duncan on 079 523 5407 or request a free consultation.
Quick Summary
Shutters are a long-term investment in style, insulation and property value — ideal for main living areas and coastal homes. Blinds offer more variety, lower cost and faster installation, making them the practical choice for bedrooms, offices and rentals. Many South African homeowners combine both: shutters where you want presence, blinds where you want flexibility. Custom Blinds supplies and installs both across the Garden Route.
How Your Home Feels
The best window coverings disappear into your routine. You stop noticing them and start noticing how comfortable the room feels — how the light falls just right, how the temperature stays even, how the outside world waits until you are ready for it.
Quiet Mornings. Shutters tilt open gradually. Blinds roll up in one smooth motion. Either way, you control when the day begins.
Cool Afternoons. When the Garden Route sun hits hard after midday, the right covering keeps your living space comfortable without switching on the air conditioner.
Private Evenings. Lights on, world out. Both shutters and blinds give you full privacy the moment you need it — no compromises.
Effortless Style. Guests notice the finish without knowing why. That is the mark of a well-chosen window covering — it simply belongs.
People ask me shutters or blinds, and I always say the same thing: tell me about the room first. A north-facing lounge with sea views needs something completely different from a south-facing bedroom. The product follows the space, never the other way around.
Duncan Kane, founder & installer — Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings, 15 years on the Garden Route
The Practical Comparison
Shutters vs Blinds: Full Feature Breakdown
Both products solve the same core problems — light control, privacy, insulation and style. The differences lie in how they do it, what they cost, and how long they last in South African conditions. This table compares the options we install every week across the Garden Route.
| Feature | Shutters (PVC & Aluminium) | Blinds (Roller, Venetian, Honeycomb) |
|---|---|---|
| Lifespan | 20–25 years with basic care | 8–12 years depending on fabric and use |
| Cost Range (per window) | R4,500 – R12,000+ (consultation required) | R800 – R4,500 (many available online) |
| Light Control | ✓ Louvres tilt for precise angle control | ✓ Full range: sheer, dimout, blockout |
| Full Blackout | ✗ Small light gaps between louvres | ✓ Blockout roller or honeycomb achieves near-total darkness |
| Privacy | ✓ Excellent — adjustable day and night | ✓ Excellent — especially blockout and venetian |
| Airflow | ✓ Superior — louvres direct breeze while maintaining privacy | ✗ Limited — most styles either open or closed |
| Insulation | ✓ High — solid panels reduce heat transfer | ✓ High with honeycomb; moderate with roller |
| Coastal Durability | ✓ PVC immune to salt, moisture, UV | ✓ UV-stabilised fabrics handle coastal sun well |
| Motorisation | ✗ Not standard for plantation shutters | ✓ Somfy, Eve MotionBlinds, app & voice control |
| Style Options | White, off-white, wood-look — classic palette | Hundreds of colours, textures, patterns and opacity levels |
| Maintenance | Wipe-down with damp cloth; no servicing | Light vacuum or wipe; fabric may need replacement over time |
| Property Value | ✓ Permanent fixture; increases resale appeal | Neutral impact — easily replaced by new owner |
| Child Safety | ✓ No cords or chains | ✓ Cordless and motorised options available |
| Installation Time | 4–6 weeks (custom manufactured) | 1–3 weeks (faster for online roller blinds) |
| Best For | Main living areas, coastal homes, long-term investment | Bedrooms, offices, rentals, budget-conscious projects |
When Shutters Are the Right Choice
Shutters are a permanent addition to your home. They bolt to the window frame and become part of the architecture, which is exactly why they add value at resale. In our experience across the Garden Route, shutters work best in specific situations.
Long-term family homes
If you plan to stay for a decade or more, shutters repay their higher upfront cost through sheer longevity. A set of PVC shutters installed in 2015 still looks and functions exactly as it did on day one. There is no fabric to fade, no mechanism to wear, no chain to tangle. The only maintenance is an occasional wipe with a damp cloth.
Coastal and humid properties
Salt air corrodes metal and degrades certain fabrics within a few years. PVC shutters are completely immune to moisture, salt spray and UV radiation, which is why they dominate coastal installations from Knysna to Plettenberg Bay. For security-focused coastal properties, aluminium security shutters offer weather resistance and physical protection in one product.
Rooms where airflow matters
This is where shutters genuinely outperform blinds. The louvred design lets you angle fresh air into a room while maintaining full privacy — something no roller blind can achieve. In the Garden Route’s temperate climate, this means fewer months relying on air conditioning and a more natural way to regulate indoor comfort. Our lifestyle shutters guide for Plettenberg Bay covers this in detail.
Homes needing a style anchor
Shutters create visual structure. They frame windows with clean lines and give a room a finished, considered look that works across contemporary, coastal and classic interiors. Estate agents along the Garden Route consistently tell us that shutters catch buyers’ eyes during viewings.
When Blinds Are the Better Option
Blinds are the workhorses of window coverings. They suit more rooms, more budgets and more lifestyles than any other single product category. Here is where they consistently outperform shutters.
Bedrooms that need complete darkness
Shutters always leave fine gaps between louvres. If you need genuine blackout — for shift workers, nurseries, media rooms or anyone who values deep sleep — blockout roller blinds or honeycomb blinds deliver near-total darkness. Pair them with a sheer roller on a duo bracket for daytime light filtering and night-time blackout in one system.
Homes with smart-home ambitions
Motorisation is where blinds pull well ahead. Eve MotionBlinds and Somfy motors integrate with Apple Home, Google Home and voice assistants. You can schedule blinds to open at sunrise, close at sunset, or respond to temperature sensors — all from your phone. Shutters, by contrast, remain a manual product in almost all residential installations. Explore our full automation range to see what is possible.
Budget-conscious projects and rentals
A standard roller blind starts from around R800 per window; a comparable shutter can be four to five times that. For rental properties, holiday homes, student accommodation or any project where cost per window matters, blinds make financial sense. Our online shop lets you order custom-sized roller blinds with free delivery across South Africa.
Rooms that change with the seasons
Because blinds are lighter, less permanent and available in a wider range of colours and textures, they suit homeowners who enjoy refreshing interiors every few years. Swapping a roller blind fabric takes a fraction of the time and cost of replacing a shutter installation. Browse our colour guide for ideas on matching window coverings to your evolving style.
Offices and workspaces
Glare control in a home office requires precise light management without sacrificing screen visibility. Sunscreen roller blinds filter glare while preserving your view, and venetian blinds let you redirect light upward onto the ceiling for softer illumination. Both respond faster and more finely than louvred shutters in a work environment.
The Smart Approach: Combining Shutters and Blinds
Many of our Garden Route clients discover that the best result comes from using both products strategically. Rather than committing entirely to one, you place each where it performs best.
A common configuration we install: PVC shutters in the main living area and entrance where they create a strong first impression and handle daily airflow, paired with roller blinds in bedrooms for blackout performance and in the home office for glare control. This hybrid approach gives you the visual impact of shutters where guests see them and the practical precision of blinds where you need functional performance.
For outdoor spaces, the logic shifts entirely. Outdoor blinds handle wind, rain and UV protection on patios and decks, while aluminium security shutters protect vulnerable entry points. Each product does what it was designed for, and neither tries to do the other’s job.
Side-by-Side: Best Use Cases
Choose Shutters When…
- You want a permanent, architectural feature
- The property is within 5 km of the coast
- Airflow control matters more than total blackout
- You plan to stay in the home long-term
- Resale value and buyer appeal are priorities
- You prefer zero-maintenance window coverings
- Security is a consideration (aluminium shutters)
Choose Blinds When…
- You need complete blackout for sleep or media rooms
- Smart home and motorisation are important
- Budget is a primary factor
- You want wide colour and texture variety
- The property is a rental or holiday let
- You enjoy updating your interior regularly
- Faster turnaround time matters
Why Custom Blinds
One Team for Both Products
Unlike most suppliers who specialise in either shutters or blinds, Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings manufactures, supplies and installs both — plus awnings, screens and shade ports. That means one consultation, one measuring appointment and one installation team who understand how all these products work together in your home.
8,000+
Installations
Across the Garden Route since 2010 — blinds, shutters, awnings and screens
15
Years Experience
Duncan has been measuring and installing in Garden Route homes since day one
1
Complete Service
The only SA company offering online sales, on-site consultation, in-house manufacturing and professional installation
Room-by-Room Recommendation
Which Product for Which Room
This is how we typically advise homeowners during consultations. Every home is different, but these patterns hold true across thousands of installations.
Living Room
Shutters — architectural presence, airflow, wow factor for guests
Main Bedroom
Blinds — blockout roller or duo for sleep quality and light control
Home Office
Blinds — sunscreen roller for glare; venetian for redirected light
Bathroom
Shutters — Plaswood resists moisture and steam; louvres ventilate while keeping privacy, wipes clean easily
Kitchen
Shutters — Plaswood handles moisture, heat and grease; wipes clean in seconds
Nursery
Blinds — cordless blockout for safety and darkness; easy to motorise
Patio / Deck
Sheerweave or Sun Worker blinds — UV and weather protection while preserving views and airflow
Holiday Rental
Blinds — cost-effective, durable, fast to replace between seasons
How We Help You Decide
Whether you lean toward shutters, blinds or a combination, the process starts the same way. Duncan visits your home, measures every window and recommends the right product for each room based on orientation, use and your budget.
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Buy roller blinds online at shop.customblinds.co.za — custom-sized, with free delivery anywhere in South Africa. For shutters, awnings and larger projects along the Garden Route, book a free in-home consultation with Duncan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are shutters more expensive than blinds in South Africa?
Yes. Shutters typically cost three to five times more per window than roller blinds. However, their 20+ year lifespan means the cost per year of use can be lower. Blinds start from around R800 per window while shutters range from R4,500 upward, depending on size and material. Custom Blinds supplies both, so we help you balance budget against longevity during your free consultation.
Which is better for coastal homes: shutters or blinds?
Both perform well at the coast when specified correctly. PVC shutters are completely immune to salt, moisture and UV. Roller blinds with UV-stabilised fabric also handle coastal conditions, though they may need replacement sooner than inland installations. For security at the coast, aluminium shutters combine weather resistance with physical protection.
Can shutters block out light completely?
Not entirely. Louvred shutters always leave small gaps between blades, which means some light will enter even when fully closed. If total blackout is essential — for bedrooms, nurseries or media rooms — blockout roller blinds or honeycomb blinds are the better choice. Some homeowners install shutters for daytime use and add a blockout roller behind them for sleeping hours.
Do shutters add value to a South African home?
Yes. Because shutters are a permanent fixture bolted to the window frame, estate agents consider them a capital improvement. Well-maintained PVC or aluminium shutters are frequently cited as a selling point in Garden Route property listings. Blinds, while attractive, are considered removable furnishings and have less impact on valuation.
Can I motorise shutters like I can with blinds?
Motorisation is widely available for blinds but not for standard plantation shutters. Roller blinds, duo rollers and outdoor blinds integrate with Eve MotionBlinds, Somfy and other smart-home systems for app, voice and scheduled control. If automation is a priority, blinds are the clear choice.
Which is easier to clean: shutters or blinds?
Shutters are slightly easier to maintain. Their wide, flat louvres only need a damp cloth. Blinds vary — roller blinds wipe clean easily, while venetian and honeycomb styles need more careful dusting. Our cleaning guide covers the best methods for every blind type we install.
Are shutters or blinds safer for children?
Both can be child-safe. Shutters have no cords or chains by design. Blinds are available in cordless and motorised configurations that eliminate dangling hazards. We recommend motorised or wand-operated blinds for nurseries and homes with young children. Read our child safety guide for more detail.
Can I use shutters and blinds together in the same home?
Absolutely, and many of our clients do. The most common combination is shutters in the main living areas for architectural impact and blinds in bedrooms and offices for blackout and glare control. This gives you the best performance from each product without overspending on shutters in rooms where blinds work better.
Not Sure Yet? Let Us Help
Book a free consultation and Duncan will recommend the right product for every room in your home.
Prices are indicative and vary by window size, material and installation requirements. All shutter orders require an in-home consultation. Published February 2026. Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings™ — Garden Route & nationwide online.
