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The Perfect Window Treatments For Home Theaters And Media Rooms In San Diego

April 17, 2019

For some homeowners in San Diego, the home theater or media room is just not a hobby room, but one of the most inclusive rooms in the house.  The whole room is focused on the oversized 4k television.  The surround sound speaker system covers you in cinematic scores and rich dialog. Now, you need to install the best window treatments for your home theater or media room experience.

When your home theater is used as a family room, you should get everything from your TV.  It goes without saying, you need a window treatment that will totally darken the room, so that you don’t have to deal with glare on your screen. It’s also nice if your coverings could muffle outside sound.  As an added bonus, your shutters or shades should keep some style even when you're not viewing the latest blockbuster.  

So what are the perfect window treatments for a home theater or media room?

Your Window Treatments Should Make The Room Pitch Black

Shutters in Theater Room

When you see a film in a home theater or media room, you want the room on the darker side.  The obvious choice are shades that shut out all outside light.  Opaque cellular shades, roller shades or Roman shades will keep the sun out. And as the shades cover the full window, you can make the room as dark as you need, so you can make a real movie theater feeling.

However, while a cellular shade will make your room pitch black, they don’t meet your needs when the movie isn’t in session.  If you need the option to direct light in addition to blacking out the sun, you should consider plantation shutters. Shutters will be able to completely block out outside light when you shut the louvers. But when the movie isn’t on you might want to let in some natural light, so the room doesn’t seem so stuffy. With plantation shutters, you can adjust how the light shines in, so all your shows aren’t always in darkness.  

Your Window Treatments Should Hinder Sound

Shutters in a living room with a tv

Your window coverings should block out outside light, but don’t overlook the significance of sound.  Outside noise, such as neighborhood children having fun in the yard or a running lawn mower, can distract you from your viewing experience. What comes from what you are watching should also be protected, as your program’s sound can become distorted when it reflects off your window’s glass panes.

Cellular shades can do a great job keeping the room dark, but they usually are too thin to adequately hinder outside sounds.  Blinds can have the same problem as they are open around the sides. Drapes and curtains will hinder outside noise, but might also dampen inside sound and prevent you from having a true surround-sound experience.  

Plantation shutters, as designed, block outside noise and keep your movies sounding great.  If your street is usually peaceful, any plantation shutter should work just fine. Then again if you live in an area that has more outside activity, like close to a playground or on a well-traveled street, you should use a heavier faux wood shutter. No matter what covering you decide on, make sure you set up your sound system after you install window treatments so that you get the most from your speakers.

The More Uses Of Your Media Room, The More Practical The Window Treatment

Bedroom with shutters and oar over tv photo courtesy of Kathy at The Daily Nest

As 50” - 72” inch televisions become in vogue, media rooms have begun to function as the main recreational area.  No longer confined to films, media rooms can be a place for gaming, watching sports, and general entertaining. In this instance, you will want a more versatile window treatment that looks sleek when it’s not in use.

When a cellular or roman shade is up, they dissapear into the window sill.  This leaves your windows open , like the window treatment doesn’t exist, which may not be the best course of action. Plantation shutters let your room be utilized as a general space, and not only as a movie room. And since shutters can easily adjust as much as you need, you can deligate a side couch where friends or family may want to catch up or do something else. Others can then not be disturbed on the movie area catching the double feature .

Which Window Treatment For Your Home Theater Or Media Room Works For You?

If your media room doesn’t have a lot of outside windows, then you may want to opt for a cellular, roman or roller shade.  If you use a multi-purpose media room, then plantation shutters could be best. Whatever you choose, your Sunburst representative can show you all your options.  Call 760-405-8887 today to schedule your in-home consultation.