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Zebra blinds or shutters in Victoria?

Shopping for zebra blinds in Victoria? How they compare with made-to-measure wood shutters on light, privacy, cords, lifespan and cost.
Level 1 (flat) moulding, paint stage 1, 3½-inch louvers, tilting open and closed.

Victoria's homes and windows

Zebra blinds are a roller blind with two layers of striped fabric, sheer and solid, that slide past each other to let light in or block it. In Victoria, where 79% of homes are apartments or condos and 14% are detached houses, they compete with shutters for the same windows.

The year runs from 10 freezing nights to 1 days at 30 °C or more, so whatever covers the window works in both seasons.

Sources: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population; Environment and Climate Change Canada, Canadian Climate Normals 1991–2020. Daylight and sun height: calculated from the city’s latitude.

In a condo

With 79% of homes in multi-unit buildings, many windows here are wide and the budget goes on more of them. Zebra blinds cost less per window; shutters cost more, have nothing to wear out but the paint, and can be repainted when you redecorate.

Shutters in condos

Winter glare

With the December sun only 18° high at midday, low light shines straight in. Zebra stripes cut it only by also cutting the view; shutter louvers can be angled to send it up to the ceiling instead.

Cords and chains

Zebra blinds usually raise with a chain or cord, or a motor. Shutters have no cords at all. Canada has regulated corded window coverings since May 1, 2021.

Shutters vs blinds

Zebra blinds or shutters for a Victoria home

3.2% of people in Victoria are under five, fewer than in any other of the 167 Canadian cities we have figures for. In Saanich, 3 km away, it's about the same: 3.5% of people are under five.

30% of workers here worked from home in May 2021, more than in 86% of the 167 Canadian cities we have figures for. Zebra stripes cut glare only by cutting the view; louvers send light to the ceiling and keep it.

Sources: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population; Natural Resources Canada, Survey of Household Energy Use 2007, or U.S. EIA RECS 2020 where stated (windows). Prices from our price list.

1 bedroom window in poplar$460 – $570 CAD

36 × 48 in each, flat moulding, paint stage 1, 3½ in louvers, before tax and shipping. We don't sell zebra blinds.

Price your own windows
Zebra blinds and shutters compared for Victoria
FeaturePoplar shutters (ours)Zebra blinds
Light and privacyTilt the louversLine up or offset the stripes
Clear viewSwing the panels openRoll the blind up
CordsNoneUsually a chain or cord
Refresh laterRepaint the woodReplace the fabric or blind
Cost per windowMoreLess

Where our shutters fit

Every Shutter Boys shutter is made from solid American poplar to the measurements you take, then shipped to Victoria for you to fit. We don’t sell zebra blinds; if shutters suit your windows, price them window by window.

The designer shows the price of each window as you add it, in Canadian dollars.

Price your windows

Choose Canada in the designer, enter millimetres or inches, and we reply with your quote in Canadian dollars.

Design your shutters