Home Shutters And Awnings

When you think of classic window covering at its finest one name comes to mind -- Plantation shutters.  Known in other parlance as wood shutters, interior window shutters or plantation blinds, they define class and sophistication when it comes custom window treatments.

Now, with modern advancements in shutter construction, you’ve got numerous choices that go beyond the classic wood plantation shutter.  But if you want the true wood grain look and warm rich feel of legitimate wood, there is no better way to go than with Basswood.  Of course you can get these window coverings in a variety of wood, but Basswood is known for being lightweight, but strong and very low in resin so as not to seep through when finished.  Additionally, most woodworkers claim that it is an easy wood to work with in all respects.

Let’s face it, there might not be another single interior home improvement that can give you that “wow” factor more than plantation shutters.  Their addition can completely transform your home from run of the mill to show place.  And as mentioned above, there are plenty of lower cost and durable alternatives to wood.

One such option are the composite wood or faux wood shutters.  Take a look at some of the brands like Levolor, Hunter Douglass, DeVenco and Kestrel to get some ideas as to how these shutters compare to the classic wood.  Most manufacturers claim that the faux wood shutters are more durable than real wood and are more accessible price-wise.

Another window treatment option that is growing in popularity is the PVC/fiberglass plantation shutter.  These are extremely lightweight, very durable and don‘t require painting in most cases. Furthermore, they don’t scratch like their wood shutter counterpart and require next to no maintenance.  Owners of wood window treatments used to be reluctant to install them in  kitchens, children’s rooms and bathrooms for fear of potential abuse, but with PVC those fears are unnecessary.

The craftsmanship that has been applied to traditional wood shutters has been transferred without a hitch and applied to newer materials like the faux wood, vinyl and PVC.  Any of the unique sized windows can be easily custom-fit with any of the above materials.  Sliding glass doors and French doors are easily outfitted as well.  Whatever your design challenge, rest assured there is a solution.

Before making your final decision, do a little research on your own.  Take a trip to your home improvement store and check out some samples or rifle through some design manuals and magazines.  Compare prices and establish a budget.  You really can’t go wrong with any of the above materials as long they end up being made into plantation shutters.