Are Plantation Shutters the Right Choice for Your Home?

Plantation shutters are not only attractive; they are versatile additions which can increase the value of your home, and for less than the cost to purchase and install custom window coverings.

With so many options for type, color, and style, plantation shutters are certainly a popular choice for many homeowners. Deciding whether they’re right for your home will require a few considerations.

What Value Do Plantation Shutters Add to a Home?

If you’re looking to increase the value of your home, plantation shutters can be a good choice. They not only give your home a classic look and feel, but their clean lines provide uniformity and plenty of curb appeal.

Energy Savings

Plantation shutters have another value-adding feature : energy efficiency. Because they are built to fit the unique measurements of a window, these shutters prevent drafts from entering your home in winter and keep cool air from escaping in summer. This reduces energy bills, lowering the overall cost to own your home.

Low Maintenance

Shutters also add value to your home because of their low maintenance requirements. The fact that they are easy to keep clean and will maintain their look for several years means that a homeowner can spend more of their time enjoying their home.

Increased Privacy

You want light as well as privacy. Plantation shutters allow you to have the best of both worlds because they can be adjusted to allow light in without sacrificing privacy. Plantation shutters for windows can be angled in such a way that allows you to see out but which doesn’t allow others to see in.

Long Lasting

Durability is yet another way that plantation shutters add value to your home. Built to last, most products will include a warranty. Also, they likely won’t need to be replaced for decades, allowing you to see a return on your investment. When selling your home, plantation shutters will mean the new owners don’t have to purchase expensive drapery or frequently replace blinds.

A Safe Option for Children

Because they don’t require strings or cords to work, plantation shutters can be a very attractive option for new or soon-to-be parents who are looking for a home. Although they can be opened and closed easily by children, there is no danger that they will become tangled in any cords and sustain an injury.

Longer Life for Furniture

The ability to control the amount of light which enters a room can certainly mean a more comfortable home. However, this feature also makes plantation shutters a furniture and carpet saver. The less UV light that enters a room, the slower that furniture and carpet colors will fade.

Plantation Shutters in Every Room

Plantation shutters can work well in many rooms of your home.

Kitchen

If it has been many years since you changed your kitchen window treatments or you simply want a new look, plantation shutters can work very well in your kitchen. Not only can you purchase indoor shutters to match your kitchen cabinets, but installing them will add an instant update without expensive renovations.

Bedroom

The light-limiting feature of plantation shutters makes them ideal for the bedroom. They substantially reduce the amount of light which comes into the room.

Bathroom

Plantation shutters make it easy to maintain privacy in the bathroom. Thanks to the many waterproof varieties on the market today, these shutters can put up with the high levels of humidity that bathrooms create.

Front Door

If your front door has small windows at one or both sides, call ed sidelights, then plantation shutters can be the ideal window covering.

Planation shutters allow for maximum light penetration as well as the most optimal view while still delivering privacy.

Available Options

Because window plantation shutters are available with a wide variety of options, it is advisable to understand all the options prior to making a purchase.

Design

There are many options for shutter design. For example, a two-panel shutter can be hinged together and moved away from a window to set flat against the wall. Or, you could have a single panel which can be moved to one side. This can be a good option where a permanent wall fixture would not allow you to swing both panels aside.

It’s important to note here that if you are considering plantation shutters for your home , your windows don’t necessarily have to be square. Plantation shutters can be custom-built to fit any shape and even very small windows.

Framing

Plantation shutters are available in several framing styles. You can choose shutters which open as a single panel over each window, or cafe shutters which only reach up the window halfway. If you have a large set of windows, there are options that will allow you to open the top and bottom louvers independently.

Louver Size

The typical range of louver sizes is between 2½ and 5½ inches for plantation shutters. The smaller sizes can be used to provide smaller rooms with more proportion while the larger louver size will provide a more unobstructed view and more light when opened.

Tilt Style

Another option for plantation shutters is their tilt style. A traditional tilt bar will appear in the middle of the shutter, requiring only a push up or down to open and close the shutter. A rear or hidden tilt will be barely visible, or not visible at all, and allow for a clearer view when shutters are opened and are a great option for very small windows.

Ask Before You Buy

There are several questions to ask when considering the possibility of having plantation shutters installed in your home.

Materials

Shutters are available in real wood, or synthetic materials. If you need to cover a larger window, wood can be the better choice, as it allows for fewer panels per window and a better outdoor view. Wood can also be painted in any color, as well as be more easily manufactured for windows with unique dimensions.

Synthetic shutters can be ideal for rooms where a lot of moisture can be produced, such as the kitchen and bathroom. Because they don’t react to high humidity by warping, synthetic shutters can withstand the test of time in these rooms.

When considering wood shutters, it’s important to ask about the type of wood used to make them. This is because different types of wood have different properties, in terms of durability and reaction to light and temperature.

Color, Fading, and Yellowing

The paint color you choose for your interior shutters will depend on the décor of the room in which your shutters will be installed. White remains a popular choice due to the fact that fading isn’t as visible as it might be with other colors. However, it’s important to remember that all materials will eventually fade—even synthetic.

As far as yellowing is concerned, this is often due to the quality of materials used to make the shutters. If the shutter material is of the right quality, your shutters are unlikely to yellow no matter of what material they are made.

Professional Installation

Regardless of the type of plantation shutter you choose, professional installation is recommended, especially if you have never installed shutters before. Shutters are very different from blinds, and, as such, need an expert to install.

Now that you know more about plantation shutters and their features and benefits, you can make an informed decision about whether they’re right for your home. To learn more about plantation shutters or to schedule a free consultation, contact Bay Home & Window at 888-303-0289 today.

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