9 Things To Consider Before Buying Plantation Shutters

The following is an important compilation of 10 essential things that need to be considered before purchasing plantation shutters.

1) Louver size

The size of the louvers that you choose, play a key role in determining the overall appearance of your shutters. As a rule, the larger the window, the larger the louvers should be, but this can vary, depending on the look that you wish to achieve. It is best to consult a shutter design specialist to help guide you in your final decision. Any design company worth its salt, should be able to come around to your premises and demonstrate the dramatic difference that various different louver sizes and styles can make, through the use of samples. This way it takes all the guesswork out of louver sizes. You will be able to see first hand which sizes and styles that you prefer.

2) Proper installation

It is important to have your plantation shutters installed according to the manufacturer’s specifications. Failure to do so may void their warranty. When installing timber plantation shutters, particular care must be taken to ensure that the shutters are installed perfectly square to prevent warping of the materials over time. Shutters are exposed to sunlight, and they are imbued with a high degree of durability from the elements. However, when shutters are not installed correctly, it can lead to structural damage over time.

3) Minor tweaks can make a big difference

There are a number of relatively cheap enhancement options available that can greatly strengthen the aesthetic value of your shutters. These commonly include pulls, locks and concealed hinges. Generally, such upgrades only cost an additional $20 or so per door. Locks and pulls help to prevent damage to the shutters when used incorrectly by children or even adults, while concealed hinges are added for purely cosmetic purposes.

4) Materials

While timber is the most conventional choice of material used in the manufacture of plantation shutters, there are areas of the house where the use of such materials is ill-advised, such as the bathroom or garage, which generally contain high levels of moisture and humidity. In such areas, it is best to opt for polymer based shutters.

5) Motorized shutters

The reliability and feasibility of motorized shutters has improved dramatically in recent times, making them a very attractive option for homeowners. Along with their improved reliability, motorized functionality has also become significantly cheaper and more energy efficient, allowing shutters to last a lot longer on a single charge.

Beyond the convenience of being able to control them with a remote, motorized shutters can be set up to change their angle of tilt at particular times of day, allowing you to permit more sunlight into your rooms during the mornings and late afternoons. Likewise, you may choose to limit the amount of light that is allowed to enter through the shutters during the middle and hottest parts of the day. Having your shutters set to intelligently control the amount of light that enters your rooms, will help to protect your interior fabrics, such as bedspreads, carpets and so on.

6) They add value to your property

As they can effortlessly improve the appearance of the rooms in which they are placed, plantation shutters are an inexpensive way to increase the sale value of your property.

7) Cheap shutters can be more expensive in the long-term

Homeowners sometimes make the mistake of buying plantation shutters made from cheaper materials, in a move that they believe to be saving them money, only to discover that inferior materials may not be suitably durable and hard-wearing. Such materials may ultimately end up costing more money in the long-term. Unless your budget only allows you to buy cheaper shutter materials and you are unwilling to wait to save up for better ones, it is wiser to buy shutters from reputable manufacturers, as their products have undergone proper testing, contain lengthy warranties and in many cases, are able to last for tens of years.

8) Manufacturing quality can be radically different

How your shutters are manufactured can have an enormous impact on their final build quality. There are many aspects of shutter product that affect their craftsmanship, including the type of joinery, along with literally hundreds of different timber drying (curing) and timber treatment methods that can all have a substantial impact on the overall longevity of the shutters and their ability to resist premature warping. As well as this, the type of paint and finish also play a crucial role in the helping the shutters to resist wear and tear, while helping them to maintain their glorious outward appearance for years to come.

9) Concealed or invisible tilt rods

Concealed tilt rods are often regarded as the ultimate upgrade for customers who buy premium quality plantation shutters. There are two primary methods of ‘eliminating’ the tilt rods from the shutters. The first method is known as ‘concealed tilt’, and it is the most traditional way. Concealed tilt rods are very slender and barely visible from front or back side of the shutter.

The invisible tilt method is a unique take on the traditional concealed method, and one that totally obscures all tilt rods, with all tilt and movement of the louver instead controlled by an inner and completely invisible cog.