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Benefits of Hidden Tilt Rods For Your Plantation Shutters in Salt Lake City

November 18, 2019

 Before you choose your shutters, you’ll have a few choices to make. Do I want real wood shutters or faux wood shutters? What louver size should I choose? 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 traditional front-mount tilt rod and a hidden or rear-mount tilt rod. Let’s look at some advantages and weaknesses of hidden tilt rods, and whether you should use them for your plantation shutters in Salt Lake City.

What Are Hidden and Rear-Mounted Tilt Rods?

Most people are aware of classic plantation shutters that use a center tilt rod on the front. When you need to adjust the plantation shutters to let in more or less light, you just hold the tilt rod and adjust it up or down to shift the louvers.

A rear-mount tilt rod is a slender metal strip attached behind the louver that is barely visible from the front. When you move one louver, every louver tilts as well.

Some shutters have a hidden tilt rod situated in the side of the unit to control the louvers. However, these types of hidden tilt rods are more fragile and tough to replace, which is why we sell hidden tilt rods as rear-mount only.

White plantation shutters with hidden tilt rods in Salt Lake CityWhite plantation shutters with hidden tilt rods in Salt Lake City 

What Are the Pros of Rear-Mount and Hidden Tilt Rods?

Hidden or rear-mount tilt rods can bring a few benefits over traditional front-mounted tilt rods.

  1. Contemporary look - Shutters with hidden tilt rods complement interiors that use a modern or contemporary style due to their clean lines.

  2. Great with thin or tiny windows - Hidden tilt rods are great for thin and tiny windows due to their clean look.

What Are Some Cons of Hidden Tilt Rods?

Hidden or rear-mounted tilt rods aren’t for everyone. Here are a few drawbacks to hidden tilt rods.

  1. Shutters with hidden tilt rods might seem too modern for some people - Some homeowners in Salt Lake City like the classic plantation shutter style and design with the tilt rod front and center. The front tilt rod provides more definition and prominence to your plantation shutters, versus plantation shutters using a hidden tilt rod where the feel is more modern.

  2. Some homeowners find front-facing tilt rods easier to use - Front-facing tilt rods may be easier for some homeowners to use. You can grab a hold of the tilt rod and tilt the shutters as much as you need, versus having to tilt the louvers themselves.

What Homeowners Should Think About Hidden Tilt Rods on Their Plantation Shutters?

Hidden Tilt Rod Plantation Shutters

What style of tilt rod you choose is often due to your personal taste and your home’s style. If you live in a traditionally designed home, we recommend front-mounted tilt rods. If your rooms are more modern, you could look at rear-mounted tilt rods.

Another consideration is how hectic your place is with kids and pets. Some people in Salt Lake City who run child care from their home request hidden or rear-mount tilt rods so that there’s a smaller chance of a child breaking a front-mounted tilt rod.

Looking For Help Picking the Perfect Plantation Shutter For Your Windows?

If you want to get shutters in Salt Lake City but need some assistance, contact your Sunburst rep at 801-515-3598 or complete the form below to schedule a free in-home consultation. Our reps will bring samples and we’ll demonstrate all of your options - including your tilt rod options - so you can try them before you buy.