Everything You Should Know About Plantation Shutters

Of all window treatments, plantation shutters are a longtime favorite among homeowners. Also referred to as wooden window shutters, interior plantation shutters provide functionality, privacy, and a stunning traditional appearance for contemporary and traditional homes. They can also increase a home’s value since many homeowners prefer interior plantation shutters over drapes, blinds, or curtains. 

Interior plantation shutters received their name due to their wide louver size and look, which is reminiscent of the large shutters used on antebellum plantations in the southeast of the United States. 

Current home design trends toward expansive outdoor views make plantation shutters the optimal choice. These interior shutters work well throughout the home, especially in the dining room and bedrooms. But the versatility of plantation shutters also translates to kitchens, living rooms, and bathrooms. 

Today’s shutters come in several material types to match your space perfectly. Working with a shutter specialist, you can determine the best material to use for your home’s location, room type, and style preferences. 

While most people prefer the look of plantation shutters, they don’t know the nuances to consider when buying theirs. That is why Stanfield Shutter put together a plantation shutter buying guide.  

Here is everything you need to know when purchasing your new window treatment.  

What to Consider When Purchasing Plantation Shutters

The Cost of Interior Plantation Shutters

Homeowners typically spend a total of around $3,000 – $5,000 on plantation shutters for the windows of their home, according to HomeAdvisor. However, for long-lasting, custom plantation shutters, your best option is to work with a specialty store. On average, for a standard-size window, shutters can range from $400 to $800 per window. While that may seem like a steep price to pay, interior plantation shutters also offer increased cost savings over the long term due to improved energy efficiency. 

Since a specialty store customizes the plantation shutters to fit each window’s unique size, the wood shutters will better prevent air from entering or leaving your home. Likewise, when closed, plantation shutters will also block sunlight to keep your home cool during warmer months, so you won’t need to depend on your air conditioner as much. But the benefits don’t stop there. 

You won’t need to use your furnace as much, either, as it will help keep your home insulated during the colder months. All of these measures will help reduce your immediate and long-term energy costs.

To get a better idea of how much plantation shutters will cost, use the “Shutter Cost Calculator” from HomeWyse. Simply enter your zip code and the approximate size of your windows and select various other specifics like real wood or vinyl. It will then provide a fairly accurate cost estimate. 

This range of cost is accurate enough to give you an idea of your project’s budget, but nothing is as good as requesting a free quote from our experts at Stanfield Shutter.

Plantation Shutter Style Options 

You can customize your interior plantation shutters to fit any size and style you choose. Working with our specialty story, you can decide which material fits your home best, such as wood shutters or vinyl. 

Wooden Window Shutters

Wooden shutters are the optimal plantation shutter. These shutters work well in homes and commercial spaces alike. While these shutters can last more than 25 years, the biggest draw is their timeless look.  

But even after you decide to use wood plantation shutters, there are several varieties of wood that you can to choose between, including engineered wood, Basswood, and Knotty Alder. 

– Engineered Wood

Engineered wood shutters are some of the most durable products on the market. The latest HDF (High Density Fiberboard) engineering process ensures strength, durability, smoothness, and a warp-free finish. However, engineered wood does not offer the natural grain look that real wooden shutters do.

– Basswood

Basswood is one of the most versatile hardwoods because of its natural creamy-white color. These shutters adapt well to any application or shape, depending on your needs and desires. Most homeowners do not use a painted finish. Instead, Basswood’s smooth, clear grain structure and light, natural color make it the perfect wood to stain. 

– Knotty Alder

Knotty Alder shutters have a unique and beautiful grain structure that many homeowners love. It also comes in at a lower cost when compared to other high-priced natural hardwood shutters. They usually have a light brownish-red natural grain color which varies from very light to medium on the color scale. Our experts typically recommend choosing a stain color that is as dark or darker as the natural color of Knotty Alder wood. 

Vinyl Plantation Shutters

Vinyl shutters are an excellent choice for homeowners looking for an easy-to-clean option. The major advantage of vinyl is its waterproof abilities, making it a great choice for bathrooms and over the kitchen sink. There is also a range of vinyl shutter options, including composite and solid vinyl.

– Solid Vinyl 

Made from 100% solid extruded vinyl material, these vinyl plantation shutters are durable, waterproof, and high quality. We recommend using a solid vinyl shutter rather than a composite. While they are a little pricier than other vinyl varieties, they will last longer and do a better job than composite materials.

– Composite Vinyl 

Composite shutters are made from a mix of materials like wood and vinyl. Unfortunately, you won’t always know what variation you will get from one manufacturer to the next. You can test the quality of a composite vinyl shutter by determining if it is hollow. Hollow vinyl shutters are less durable and lower quality than those that are solid, so you will want to choose a solid vinyl quality version, if possible.  

The best choice when selecting a vinyl plantation shutter is a solid vinyl product. Solid vinyl shutters are more durable and will not discolor, crack, chip, or peel like a composite vinyl shutter. Vinyl, however, is not as strong and durable as HDF or natural hardwood, which is why our specialists limit the use of vinyl shutters to humid areas, such as shower stalls or above kitchen sinks.

Customizable Features 

Plantation shutters are customizable to the very last detail. From color to louver size, configuration to operation, you can optimize custom shutters to meet your functional and aesthetic goals. 

Along with tailoring your plantation shutters to fit your window space, our specialty store will outfit your custom shutters to perfection, from small upgrades to functional upgrades. A few of the changes you should consider: 

– Shutter Hinges

– Shutter Custom Color

– Rodless Style

– Split Tilt-Rods 

Shutter hinges, Custom Color, Rodless style and split tilt-rods are small details that you can easily add to your custom design.

Customize Plantation Shutters at Stanfield Shutter

Shutters are an investment that you don’t want to DIY. Our Utah specialty store has been perfecting our customization process for over 70 years. Whether you are looking for interior plantation shutters or something custom, we have all of the options you need to make your investment worthwhile.  

No matter which features or materials you prefer, your plantation shutters deserve a custom touch. Contact Stanfield Shutter to receive a free quote on your plantation shutter package.