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

April 17, 2019

For many people in San Jose, the home theater or media room is just not a hobby room, but one of the most important rooms you use.  You position your chairs and sofa around the room so each seat can see the huge high-resolution TV without any problems.  The sound system envelops you in cinematic scores and rich dialog. Now, you should install the perfect window treatments for your home theater or media room experience.

Even if your TV room is in a living or family room, you need to get everything from your TV.  Nevertheless, you need a window treatment that will adequately block out light, so that you don’t have to deal with glare on your screen. It’s also nice if your window coverings could muffle outside sound.  And it definitely would be great when you find a window treatment that provides 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 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 blackout the outside world.  Opaque cellular shades, roller shades or Roman shades can effectively keep the room dark. And by using fabric or sold colors, you can make the room as black as you need, where the screen is the center of attention.

However, while a cellular shade will get your room pitch black, they may not direct light very well.  If you want the option to direct light also, you may want to try plantation shutters. Shutters can completely block out outside light when they are closed. But when the movie isn’t on you might need some sunlight, so the room doesn’t seem so claustrophobic. With plantation shutters, you can let just a bit of light in, so family and friends will still gather after the TV turns off.  

Your Window Treatments Should Dampen Sound

Shutters in a living room with a tv

Of course, your home theater or media room should block outside light, but don’t underestimate the significance of sound.  Outside noise, such as kids playing in the yard or a running lawn mower, can distract you from what’s on the screen. What comes from your television should also be addressed, as dialog and music can become muffled when it hits your window’s glass panes.

Cellular shades can make the room dark, but they can be a bit slim to adequately hinder outside commotion.  Blinds can have the same issues as they are open around the sides. Drapes and curtains will hinder outside sound, but might also dampen inside sound 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 usually peaceful, any plantation shutter should fit your needs. However, if you happen to be in an area that has more outside activity, like close to a playground or on a well-traveled street, you will probably want to use a quality faux wood shutter. No matter what shutter you decide on, make sure you set up your surround sound after you install window treatments so that you you get quality sound from your speakers.

The More Uses Of Your Media Room, The More Versatile 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 be seen as the main recreational area.  No longer confined to films, media rooms are used for gaming, watching sports, and general entertaining. If you use your room for more than one purpose, you will need 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 raised, they dissapear into the window sill.  This leaves your windows completely uncovered to let in heaps of natural light, and you forfeit privacy or style. Plantation shutters let your room be used as a utilitarian space, and not only as a movie room. And since shutters can easily adjust to direct as much light as you want, you can designate a corner table where people can talk or play a game. The rest of the group can then not be disturbed on the couch catching the double feature .

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

If your home theater doesn’t have many outside facing windows, then you may choose a cellular, roman or roller shade.  If you use a general use media room, then plantation shutters could be best. Either way, your Sunburst representative can help you out.  Call 916-542-1305 so you can schedule your in-home consultation.