Benefits of Hidden Tilt Rods With Your Plantation Shutters in San Antonio
Before you buy your plantation shutters, you’ll have some decisions to make. Do I need real wood shutters or faux wood shutters? What louver width should I pick? What paint or stain on my window treatments will fit best with my decor?
One choice you may not be familiar with is the choice between a normal front-mount tilt rod and a hidden or rear-mount tilt rod. Here are some pros and cons of hidden tilt rods, and if you should use them for your plantation shutters in San Antonio.
What Are Hidden and Rear-Mounted Tilt Rods?
You’re probably familiar with conventional plantation shutters that use a center tilt rod on the front. When you need to adjust the window treatment to bring in more or less light, you just use the tilt rod and glide it up or down to tilt the louvers.
A rear-mount tilt rod is a fine metal strip on the far side of the louver that is barely visible from the front. When you tilt one louver, all the louvers move as well.
Some shutters have a hidden tilt rod that places a mechanism in the side of the unit to control the louvers’ movement. These kinds of hidden tilt rods are more finicky and more difficult to fix, which is why we recommend hidden tilt rods as rear-mount only.
What Are the Advantages of Rear-Mount and Hidden Tilt Rods?
Hidden or rear-mount tilt rods have a few perks over traditional front-mounted tilt rods.
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Modern look - Shutters with hidden tilt rods complement interiors that use a modern or contemporary design due to their minimalistic design.
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Helps with thin or tiny windows - If your windows are thin or tiny, then hidden tilt rods can be the perfect feature due to their clean look.
What Are Some Problems of Hidden Tilt Rods?
Hidden or rear-mounted tilt rods may not work for you. Let’s look at a couple drawbacks to hidden tilt rods.
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Shutters with hidden tilt rods might seem too minimalistic for some people - Many homeowners in San Antonio prefer the traditional plantation shutter style and design with the tilt rod where people can see it. The front tilt rod shows more shape and substance to your plantation shutters, versus shutters using a hidden tilt rod where the feel is more plain.
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Some homeowners find front-facing tilt rods easier to use - Front-facing tilt rods can be more user-friendly for some people to operate. You just move the tilt rod and slant the shutters to open and close, in lieu in having to slant the louvers themselves.
What Homeowners Should Consider Hidden Tilt Rods on Their Plantation Shutters?
Issues like pets or kids could also have a role in the rear-mount option. Many customers in San Antonio who run child care from their home ask for hidden or rear-mount tilt rods so that there’s a smaller chance of a child breaking a front-mounted tilt rod.
Need More Help Picking the Best Window Treatment For Your Family?
If you want to get shutters in San Antonio but need some assistance, contact your Sunburst rep at 210-876-0377 or complete the form below to book a free in-home consultation. When we come, we’ll walk you through your shutter options - and both front and rear tilt rod options - so you can see them in your own home.