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Tips For Choosing A Waterproof Window Treatment in Chicago

September 29, 2016

Anywhere you live, from Chicago to the other side of the country, your space shares a need with almost every other one in America: waterproof window treatments. Whatever the structure of your home, the outdoor climate, or the number of people who are living with you, you’ll likely have the same rooms with humidity: the bathrooms, kitchen, and laundry room.

Like most homeowners know, not every window treatment is made equal in regards to how effectively they handle water and humidity. To simplify it, we’ll break down proficient each window treatment is at standing up to wetness and let you know which ones work best in the rooms that experience the most humidity.

Level 1: Window Treatments That Don’t Handle Water

Smart Chicago homeowners know that a few materials just won’t mix with water. Go ahead and ask the owner of a hardwood floor what water does to lumber. Solid wood dislikes moisture, as causes wood to bloat and bow, which can make wood window treatments unusable. Constant exposure to moisture can also turn the existing pockets of the lumber into a haven for bacteria. For these reasons, solid wood furnishings and window treatments should not be used in rooms that may get damp such as the kitchen.

Fabric window treatments don’t fare great with humidity either. Despite the fact that the harm to fabric may not be as considerable or visible, extended and frequent exposure to moisture can impair the weave of most fabrics, which can lead to discoloring and fabric weakening.

Level 2: Water-resistant Window Treatments

Chicago kitchen faux wood blinds.
 
Albeit not quite waterproof, window treatments at this level won’t be in danger of lasting damage when used in moisture-heavy rooms. This level of window treatments comprises most anything labeled as “faux wood,” such as faux wood blinds. Faux wood blinds offer the look of a natural wood window treatment, adding top-notch fashion to your bathroom and privacy to boot, without the worry that may occur whenever it gets too humid.

More window treatments that tend to stand up to almost all wear from moisture are aluminum blinds. Though not offering quite the interior fashion appeal and coverage that different window treatments do, aluminum blinds are adaptable. They’re available in a wide range of hues, with cut-out options and privacy features, all while being perfect for those possible problem rooms. However, blinds that possess cords or fabric bands are not optimal for moisture-laden rooms.

Level 3: Totally Waterproof Window Treatments

Plantation shutters in Chicago bathroom.
 
This is what you’ve been waiting for: the window treatment that laughs off moisture, water, humidity and more like no other product. Sunburst Shutters Chicago is proud to provide one of the small number of entirely waterproof window treatments on the market in our Polywood® plantation shutters. Perfectly suited to the laundry room or kitchen, Polywood shutters are built from a special material that is completely immune to the damaging effects of moisture, no matter if they’re originating inside your house or from outdoors.

Not convinced? We can show you the lengths at which Polywood can survive the elements, and we’re so confident in its longevity that we guarantee every installation with our Lifetime Limited Warranty. In fact, Polywood shutters could be hosed down and they’d still perform superbly, without any problems.

Get Your Windows Ready For Anything, Chicago

If you live in a humid or rainy area, or if you want new window treatments for the areas of your home with moisture, a waterproof window treatment should be your chief concern. Let Sunburst Shutters Chicago help by calling 847-250-6544 to set up your free in-homewindow treatment consultation. And for additional inspiration for those rooms and beyond, peruse our new Ultimate Room Guide to learn about the best window treatments for every space in your Chicago home!