Choosing between external shading vs interior window coverings can be a difficult task, especially when you want to know the best way to shade your home. The right shading not just provides respite from the sun’s glare, but can also improve energy efficiency and make your living space more comfortable.
If you’re wondering which option is going to help you achieve all of the above, you’re in the right place. We’re here to help homeowners in Scotland understand how to solve this dilemma by providing all the important info at your fingertips, so you can make an informed decision and get the most from your window covering or external shading.
What Is External Shading?
When you think of external shading, bring to mind solutions like awnings, microlouvre systems and other external treatments. The key factor is that these solutions go on the outside of the building, positioned specifically to block sunlight before it even hits the glass.
You can control both heat and glare with these systems, making them especially handy for south-facing windows, patios or areas without natural shading. External shading keeps your space cooler and protected from UV, giving you a multitude of benefits.
Stop Heat At The Source
Reduces heat before it enters the home, making it highly effective in summer.
Improve Your Home’s Energy Efficiency
Microlouvre systems also allow outward visibility while reducing glare and UV.
Gain Style And Function With Microlouvre Shading
Helps reduce air conditioning use, boosting a home’s energy efficiency.
Keep Your Home Looking Beautiful
Offers external architectural appeal, especially for modern homes.
When choosing between external shading vs interior window coverings, you can be certain that external systems take care of your property from the outside in, providing necessary shade and sun protection so you can enjoy better energy efficiency, a stylish addition and less glare.
What Are Interior Window Coverings?
Interior window coverings help you to create a more stylish and practical space, giving you better privacy, insulation and light management. Because they’re mounted inside your window frames, they can be used year-round without effort.
These interior window coverings are popular for a reason. They include options like shutters, Duette® blinds and other made-to-measure blinds and shutter options. Homeowners most frequently choose interior window coverings because they offer several benefits:
Privacy Control
Excellent for privacy control, particularly in street-facing or overlooked rooms, or spaces such as bedrooms or bathrooms that need an extra layer of reliable privacy.
Better Insulation
Duette® blinds and shutters provide thermal insulation in both summer and winter, so you’ll use less energy heating and cooling your home.
Low Maintenance
Interior systems are easy to clean and less exposed to weather damage, so you don’t have to worry about more frequent maintenance.
Attractive Appearance
Interior window coverings give you an added touch of softness, texture or elegance depending on your choice.
It’s helpful to bear in mind that your choice of interior window covering can give you a different combination of benefits. For example, Duette® blinds trap air to reduce heat loss with their smart energy-saving honeycomb design. Likewise, shutters are a solid, insulating barrier for a timeless look. The choice really is yours!
Head-to-Head: Key Comparisons
When you decide whether to go for external shading vs interior window coverings, it will be because you’ve found that option that solves that one pesky problem that will make all the difference for your home.
While both options have their benefits, it may come down to their specific features that seal the deal for you. To make your decision even easier, here’s a breakdown of the features of both external shade systems, like awnings and Microlouvre and interior window coverings like shutters and Duette® blinds.
Which Option Is Better? (Or Should You Combine Both?)
Unfortunately, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. When it comes to external shading vs interior window coverings, the best choice for you depends on:
Window Direction
The direction your windows face can make a big difference, especially if you have south-facing windows that are prone to letting in excessive heat and sun glare.
Your Biggest Problem Solved
What is your priority? Decide whether you need glare control, privacy or insulation (or all three).
Your Design Style
Bear in mind your aesthetic goals, considering the inside vs. outside impact and what your end vision is for the spaces.
For many homes, a combination of external shading (like microlouvres or awnings) and interior window coverings (like shutters and blinds) provides the best results.
Why Choose The Scottish Shutter Company For Your Shading?
Here at The Scottish Shutter Company, we know shading inside and out. Whether you’re looking into external shading vs interior window coverings, you need a solution you can trust. From exterior awnings strong enough to withstand Scottish weather changes to stylish internal shutters like Duette blinds, we’ve got the best option for your home.
At every step, we put you, the homeowner, first. Our friendly, expert team is here to listen to your needs, assess your space carefully and recommend a solution that will give you the energy efficiency, light control and appearance that will complement your space perfectly.
And since we only supply high-quality products from trusted names like Luxaflex, you can be sure that you’ve got a solution that will last.
Making Your Choice Between External Shading Vs Interior Window Coverings…
So the question remains: should you choose external shading vs interior window coverings? The short answer is that both are ideal solutions for solving glare and shade issues with ease. However, you need to consider whether energy efficiency, reducing sun glare or appearance is your priority, and what you envision for the space itself, both inside or out. That’s where your answer lies.
If you’re looking for a little help to make sure you make the best choice for your home, you can book your free consultation on shutters, microlouvres, awnings and more. The Scottish Shutter Company team is here to help.
