After a lot of research and window shopping, you have finally decided to buy your first set of plantation shutters! You know you will be investing in something that will bring you years (even decades) of enjoyment and style, but how do you make sure that your investment is the smartest one possible? This article outlines the five most important things you need to know about plantation shutters.
Know The Differences Between Shutters, Blinds, And Curtains
The type of window covering you choose has a huge impact on a room’s design and functionality. There are three main types of window coverings: blinds, curtains, and shutters. If you want the best product that matches your needs and wants, you need to learn about the differences between these products.
Plantation Shutters VS. Blinds and Shades
Blinds have a wide range of effects on the style of a home and the material you select can impact which style you choose. For instance, wood blinds create a timeless and elegant look that is perfect for traditional homes. Faux wood blinds are also moisture resistant and unlikely to warp or discolor over time.
Shades are an elegant way to cover up windows, and compared to blinds, offer a neater appearance with cleaner lines. You can find shades in various styles, including roller shades or Roman shades. Roller shades have fabric that rolls up on a roller, while Roman shades are usually one long piece of fabric that covers a door or window.
Blinds and shades are great, but so are plantation shutters. Plantation shutters have been around for centuries and are treasured for their ability to block out light, provide insulation, and control temperature. They also offer a more substantial design than shades and blinds, which makes them an attractive option for any room.
Plantation Shutters VS. Curtains and Drapes
Combining soft treatments like curtains with other window treatments, like blinds or specific types of plantation shutters, can provide a practical and stylish solution. Soft window treatments are not good for light control, but they provide style and color to a room and let you block out sunlight.
With plantation shutters, you’re in total control of light. Not only do you get to adjust the openings, but they are also very durable and don’t require much maintenance. With soft window treatments, you will spend a lot of time washing fabric. In contrast, hard window treatments are easy to maintain and last longer.
When you need something short-term, stylish, or want something temporary, soft window treatments are a perfect fit. For something long-term, durable, and permanent, plantation shutters are the best choice for your windows.
Learn Your Choice of Plantation Shutters Customization Options
Plantation shutters can be customized! You will probably come down to the little details with many interior design decisions. When it comes to choosing a stylish plantation shutter for your home, there is a myriad of details to keep in mind.
Plantation Shutters Material
Choosing which material to use is one of the most important factors in plantation shutter manufacturing. There are three primary kinds of materials used to build plantation shutters – solid wood, PVC, and composites. Each material has specific characteristics that make it the best for a specific purpose.
Wood Plantation Shutters
If you’re choosing shutters for your living room, hardwood will be the ideal material as it will bring the warmth and beauty of natural wood to your living room décor.
Wood plantation shutters are a superior window covering choice that works beautifully in any home. Wood shutters are often a better choice than synthetic shutters because they can be stained any color, last longer and look just as good, work with a variety of styles, stay great for years without fading, and can be custom fit with precision.
There are many types of plantation shutters, each built with beautiful and sustainable hardwoods, such as pine, poplar, or white ash. Each shutter is unique, but all of them bring natural depth and beauty to your home. Not sure what kind of wood to get? Here are the five most popular wood species used in wood plantation shutters.
Poly/Vinyl/PVC Plantation Shutters
PVC, Vinyl, and Poly – all three names stem from the same material: polyvinyl chloride. However, not all PVC or Vinyl shutters are created equal! When a company references ‘Poly’, there is a good chance that it is a solid poly shutter with no aluminum reinforcement. However, when the term ‘Vinyl’ pops up, it may not always be what you think. Many companies will reference vinyl when selling hollow vinyl shutters that are weak and virtually weightless.
PVC plantation shutters are made using a free foam method which means that when they are extruded, they fill the entire space around the aluminum. The method used to produce the PVC is the finest – they are consistent and will last a lifetime in any home. Not only the PVC shutters are water-resistant and beautiful, but they are also extremely energy efficient.
Composite Plantation Shutters
Composite plantation shutters are custom-made with man-made materials that provide strength and affordability. These shutters are sometimes called “faux wood” because they look like they’re made of wood, but they’re not!
Durable and stylish, composite shutters are unlike any other shutter on the market. Made from a mixture of engineered materials, they offer homeowners a more affordable option than real wood with the benefits of being heat and humidity-resistant.
If you’re buying shutters for your bathroom or kitchen, PVC shutters will be the best option for you as they can withstand moisture.
Plantation Shutters Type
Plantation shutters are a great option for those with odd window sizes or areas where traditional treatments do not fit. They can be cut to fit any space and pair well with standard curtains. The best part is that they can be easily changed to match your decorating needs as the seasons change.
Plantation shutters provide homeowners the ability to maximize or minimize privacy and light in the home. Homeowners with large windows that provide little privacy during the daytime hours can benefit from plantation shutters. These shutters are movable, enabling the homeowner to switch from a closed position to an open position at any time.
Plantation shutters can be customized to fit windows of almost any size or shape, including:
1. Picture windows
2. Circles, ovals, and arches
3. Bay windows
4. Double-hung windows
5. Sliding doors
6. French doors
7. + More
Plantation Shutters Design
Louver size
Louver size is an important factor to consider when installing shutters. Windows of a certain size usually correspond to up to a certain number of louvers, or louvers with a certain width. For instance, 2 ½” louvers are typically for windows that are about 24″ wide, and 3″ louvers work best for windows that are about 30″ wide. Larger louvers create panels with fewer louvers and wider views.
Tilt control
When it comes to tilt control, two options are most popular. The first is center rod tilt and the other is invisible tilt control. Invisible tilt control has a sleek, contemporary look. If you want to upgrade your shutters, this might be the option for you. Split tilt might be another good option, which allows independent tilt in multiple zones of the panel. This feature has been popular in dining rooms and bathrooms.
Latches/Locks/Hinges
A few inexpensive improvements can do a lot to the look and feel of a shutter. For instance, you could put in a shutter pull, shutter lock, or hidden hinge. The locks will protect your shutter from kids and other prying hands. And the pulls can protect the shutter from that unknowing adult that doesn’t know how to open it.
Plantation Shutters Color
Firstly, if you’re a homeowner who likes to change your décor with the seasons or if you buy furniture frequently, this should be considered when looking for new shutters. Wood shutters come in many colors and styles so it’s really up to you which option you choose.
For those who maintain a similar color scheme with little design changes, the decision to repaint the room should complement your current décor. If you like to switch up your room frequently, consider a color that works well in many different situations. Pastel colors and white are a good choice as they give you a lot of design options without taking away from the rest of your home décor.
Secondly, if you want the same color shutters throughout all rooms, be sure to consider the color from the outside, as that can sometimes create a negative impression of your home. A great way to avoid this is to make all windows facing the same direction in your home share the same color of shutters for a seamless and classic look.
Yet another decision you’ll need to make is how long you’ll want to stay in your home. Unlike drapes, these are made to fit the windows. So they won’t be transferable to different homes. If you never plan on selling this home, buy the color and style that you like, but if you plan on selling your home at some point in the future, consider going for a very subdued color such as white. It doesn’t matter what the style of your home is – wood-colored shutters or natural-looking ones can work for future owners.
Evaluate How Much A Quality Plantation Shutter Should Cost
The price of custom plantation shutters in your home varies depending on the size, the materials, and even the finish you select. In general, hardwood shutters are the most expensive, vinyl shutters are the cheapest, and composite or faux wood shutters are something in-between.
Many manufacturers offer an online estimator, which is pretty convenient. All you have to do is enter your zip code, select the type of shutter material, input the size of each window, and the estimator will take care of the rest. This isn’t as good as a free in-home consultation, but it will give you a rough idea of your budget.
Find a Professional for Plantation Shutters Installation
A professional window treatment specialist first has to determine whether you’re going to mount your shutters on the outside or inside the window. Depending on the type of mount, they will then measure each of the windows you plan to install shutters on and pay special attention to any differences in the frame or other irregularities. In most cases, installation can be completed in one day.
Knowing How to Maintain Your Plantation Shutters Is Important
Maintaining your plantation shutters is important for long-term utility. Regularly cleaning them is the key. You should vacuum, dust, or use a dry fiber cloth once per week. It’s typically best to avoid soapy water or harsh cleaning materials, as they may damage the finish. Cleaning your shutters is a great way to make sure you get the most out of your investment in the long run.
Every 1-2 months, inspect your shutters for build-ups in crevices and then clear them away with a dusting brush (or a toothbrush). Tighten the louvers occasionally to make sure they aren’t twisted. To maintain that new look on your hardwood shutters, use a soft cloth to apply a furniture polish every 3-6 months.
Choose The Best Plantation Shutters Brand to Grow Your Business
Collaboration is key to making our shutters accurately and consistently. From the design team to the workforce on the production side, we can meet market demands at full speed. Goodwood Shutters is a China-based plantation shutters factory, servicing window coverings trade suppliers, resellers, and millwork manufacturers.
We do extensive research and development to maintain a high level of customer acceptance, quality standards, innovation efforts, and reliability. We provide our partners with shutters of consistent quality and lead time in the industry. Email us today with your questions – we want to hear from you. We pride ourselves on having a great, mutually beneficial, and healthy business relationship with our distributors.
