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Best Window Treatments For Home Theaters And Media Rooms In Raleigh

April 17, 2019

For some TV and movie lovers in Raleigh, the home theater or media room is just not a specialty room, but one of the most important rooms you could use.  You situate your seats in the right positions so that all seats can watch the huge high-resolution TV without any obstruction.  The sound system covers you in dramatic scores and rich dialog. Now, it’s time to install the perfect window treatments for your home theater or media room experience.

When your media room is used as a family room, you still want to get the most from your TV.  Nevertheless, you need a window treatment that will adequately darken the room, so that you don’t see glare on your screen. It’s also nice if your window coverings could completely dampen outside sound.  And finally, your window treatments should show some style even when the TV is off.  

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

Your Window Coverings Should Completely Close Off The Light

Shutters in Theater Room

When you watch a movie in a home theater or media room, you want the room on the darker side.  You may want to start with shades that block the outside world.  Opaque cellular shades, roller shades or Roman shades will block out the sun. And by using fabric or sold colors, you can get the room as black as you want, so that the only light source will be your television.

However, as wonderful as cellular shades are at obscuring outside light, they don’t do a fantastic job at directing light.  If you want the benefit of directing light in addition to blacking out the sun, you will want to consider plantation shutters. Shutters will be able to adequately darken the room when the louvers are shut. But there are times you might want to let in some outside light, so the space doesn’t seem so closed in. With plantation shutters, you can adjust how the light shines in, while making sure that you can see the TV without a glare.  

Your Window Treatments Should Block Out Sound

Shutters in a living room with a tv

Your window coverings should black out sun glare, but don’t underestimate the significance of sound.  Outside noise, such as kids horsing around in the yard or a running lawn mower, can distract you from what’s on the screen. What comes from your films and TV programs should also be addressed, as your program’s sound can become muddied when it hits your window’s glass panes.

Cellular shades can do a great job keeping the room dark, but they can be too thin to adequately stop outside sounds.  Blinds can have the same issues as they hang loosely around the sides. Drapes and curtains can muffle outside noise, but might also dampen inside sound and hinder you from hearing a true surround-sound experience.  

Plantation shutters, on the other hand, block outside noise and keep inside sound pure.  If your yard is generally quiet, any plantation shutter can fulfill the purpose. Then again if you happen to be in a community that has more traffic or children, like in a child-friendly area or on a popular street, you may want to use a heavier faux wood shutter. Whatever covering you choose, make sure you arrange your surround sound after after your treatments are installed so that you a full experience 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 more in fashion, media rooms have started to function as a multipurpose room.  No longer confined to films, media rooms are also a room for gaming, watching sports, and general entertaining. Now, you will need a practical window covering that looks stylish when it’s the room is being used for other purposes.

When a cellular or roman shade is raised, they almost disappear.  This leaves your windows open , like the window treatment doesn’t exist, but does nothing for privacy or style. Plantation shutters let your room be utilized as a general space, and not just as a space to watch movies. And since you can open or close shutters to a variable amount of light, you can set aside a back area where friends can visit or play a game. The rest of the group can then sit in the main part of the room watching the film .

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

If your media room doesn’t have many outside windows, then you may want a cellular, roman or roller shade.  If you have a multi-use media room, then plantation shutters are the way to go. Whatever you choose, your Sunburst representative can assist.  Call 919-887-9198 and schedule your in-home consultation.