The Perfect Window Treatments For Home Theaters And Media Rooms In Washington DC

April 17, 2019

For some TV and movie lovers in Washington DC, the home theater or media room is just not a hobby room, but one of the most used rooms in the house. The whole room is focused on the oversized 4k television. The surround sound speaker system envelops you in cinematic scores and rich dialog. Now, it’s time to install the perfect window treatments for your home theater or media room experience.

When your home theater or media room is used as a gathering place, you should get the most from your television. Nevertheless, you need a shutter or shade that will adequately darken the room, so that you don’t see glare on your screen. It’s also helpful if your window treatments could completely dampen outside sound. As an added bonus, your shutters or shades should have style even when your movies aren’t playing.

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

Your Window Treatments Should Block Out The Light

Shutters in Theater Room

When you watch TV in a home theater or media room, you want the room on the darker side. Your first instinct may veer to shades that shut out distracting sun and street lights. Opaque cellular shades, roller shades or Roman shades will keep the room dark. And with the right materials, you can have the room as dark as you need, so that the solitary illumination will come from the movie you are watching.

However, while the right shade will make your room pitch black, they don’t direct sunlight around the room. If you need the option to direct light also, you may want to look at plantation shutters. Shutters will be able to adequately darken the room when the louvers are shut. But when the movie isn’t on you might need some natural light, so the space doesn’t seem so closed in. With these window treatments, you can let just a bit of light in, so family and friends can visit after the film.

Your Window Treatments Should Hinder Sound

Shutters in a living room with a tv

Yes, your home theater or media room should block out light, but don’t overlook the importance of sound. Outside noise, such as neighborhood children having fun in the yard or a neighbor dog barking, can divert you from your viewing experience. Music and dialog from your television should also be protected, as dialog and music can become distorted when it bounces off your window’s glass panes.

Cellular shades can keep the room dark, but they usually are a bit slim to adequately hinder outside commotion. Mail-order and store-bought blinds can have similar problems as they are usually loose around the sides. But you can have great coverage with well-measured, custom-fit faux-wood blinds and hardwood blinds when properly installed by a Drapes and curtains might block outside sound, but might also muffle dialog from your TV and prevent you from enjoying a true surround-sound experience.

Plantation shutters, in contrast, can keep outside noise out and keep inside sound pure. If your yard is generally quiet, any plantation shutter can fulfill the purpose. However, if you reside in a community that has more outside activity, like in a child-friendly area or on a well-traveled street, you will probably want to use a heavier faux wood shutter. Whatever treatment you decide on, make sure you reposition your surround sound after you install window treatments so that you a full experience from your speakers.

The More Versatile 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 bigger screen televisions become more in fashion, media rooms have begun to function as a second family room. Used for more than movies and television, media rooms are also a room for gaming, watching sports, and general entertaining. In this instance, you will want a functional window covering that looks sleek when it’s the room is being used for other purposes.

When a cellular or roman shade is up, they dissapear into the window sill. This leaves your windows open to let in heaps of natural light, and you lose privacy or style. Plantation shutters let your room be utilized as a general space, and not just as a movie room. And since shutters can easily adjust as much as you need, you can deligate a side couch where friends may want to talk or read. The rest of the group can then sit in darkness on the main part of the room enjoying the movie .

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

If your home theater or media room doesn’t have many outside windows, then you may want to opt for a cellular, roman or roller shade. If you prefer multi-purpose media room, then plantation shutters could be best. Whatever you choose, your Sunburst representative can help you out. Call 240-339-2588 so you can schedule your in-home consultation.

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