The bathroom is often neglected when it comes to window coverings … at least until that day your friendly neighbour, Jim, is smiling and waving to you while you shower. New housing estates are maximising profits by cramming houses in closer and closer together, making privacy a key home issue. But what are the best window coverings for bathroom and wet areas?
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The Problem With Damp
So, here’s the obvious issue with a lot of window coverings in the bathroom – their fabric doesn’t cope in a damp environment!
The standard Queensland bathroom doesn’t have the ventilation to fully combat the amount of humidity produced by those steamy baths and showers we all love. Hang a pretty fabric curtain over that one source of ventilation and natural light, the window, and it won’t be long before it’s mottled with Black Mould.
Wooden window coverings will often suffer the same fate. Wood is a porous substance, meaning that it is made up of many microscopic holes that liquids can pass through or be drawn into.
The Problem With Bathroom Window Coverings For Privacy
Let’s pretend for a moment that damp and mould isn’t an issue. Curtains would be great then, right? Well, not really. Depending on the type of curtain, your privacy might not be as spectacular as you think!
We’ve all seen it in the movies – sexy silhouettes through curtains at night time. Yep, with the delightful bathroom backlighting, YOU will be that sexy silhouette.
Lovely lace curtains? They sure are pretty, but one puff of breeze and it’s HELLO WORLD!
What Blinds Are Best For Bathrooms?
There are a few options, with the critical criteria being to stay AWAY from fabrics and porous materials such as wood.
Below are some ideas for the best window coverings suited to bathroom and wet areas – you may notice a theme!
Aluminium Venetian Blinds And Bermuda Shutters
Aluminium Blinds are one of the top choices of blinds for bathrooms. Their nonporous surface prevents mould, they’re easy to clean, and the aluminium won’t rust in the humidity and damp of your bathroom.
While oxidising is a known issue for older style aluminium blinds, modern blinds are often specially coated to prevent this. Make sure you check before purchasing!
Aluminium Bermuda Shutters have the same benefits of the Aluminium Venetian Blinds but add an extra touch of class to the room and have the added benefits of having increased structural strength, customisation and privacy.
PVC Venetian Blinds And Shutters
Along the same vein as the Aluminium shutters, PVC Venetian blinds are ideal for bathrooms. These blinds are created using a commonly produced polymer, with a ton of finishing options including wood-look. The finish of these blinds is mould resistant, easy to clean and come in a variety of finishes including wood-look.
If you prefer the shutter look, PVC shutters are an excellent option for you with all the same benefits and the addition of great structural strength, privacy, and aesthetic.
Polystyrene Venetian Blinds
This might sound a bit odd at first but get thoughts of the old polystyrene boxes out of your head! You won’t have fluffy chunks of white foam all over your bathroom.
Polystyrene-based slats have the polystyrene foam core for lightness, which is then coated in hardened polystyrene, made using co-extrusion and no foaming agent. This outer coating gives the slats rigidity and durability. This non-porous coating makes them ideal for wet areas and there are lots of colour options available, including wood-look.
Timber Shutters
Yep, we warned you off porous woods. However, you’ll find that many Timber Shutters are given a waterproof coating. The important part is that they do have this waterproof coating!
If waterproofed, they’re a truly luxurious option for your bathroom with the added benefit of increased structural strength, mould resistance, privacy and customisation to suit your space and home.
Need Help Choosing The Best Window Covering For Your Bathroom?
Blinds Plus Awnings & Shutters are a family-owned and operated company, local to Brisbane, that has been designing and installing blinds for over 50 years. Your home is worth that kind of experience and skill.