Plantation shutters are common fixtures in many homes. Originating from Ancient Greece, it is an old window covering, that has been reinvited many times to meet modern standards. Also known as plantation blinds, plantation shutters are interior shutters with wide louvers or slats. Your plantation shutters are drilled to the door frame or window sill. These louvers can be tilted fully open to fully closed or left in any desired angle, allowing you to control airflow and light that pass through your room. Plantation shutters are commonly used in bedrooms, dining rooms, dens, and kitchens.
Types Of Plantation Shutters
There are three main types of plantation shutters based on their materials. These are vinyl, wood, and composite.
- Wood Plantation Shutters: Wood plantation shutters are the commonly used shutters. Basswood, a type of wood shutter, is the gold standard for plantation shutters. It is very light and strong, as it has the highest strength to weight ratio. Classic Poplar wood is another population type of wood plantation shutter. It is strong and lightweight and can be made into any custom shape. Elmwood is another type of wood commonly used for shutters. Wood plantation shutters can be honed into any size or shape. It can also come stained or painted. This is unlike other types of plantation shutters, which are constructed in certain colors and styles.
- Vinyl Plantation Shutters: Vinyl shutters are made of vinyl with PVC for support. Notably, vinyl shutters are very effective in high moisture areas, as they are weather resistant. Vinyl shutters are quite effective and are the cheapest of all the types of plantation shutters. Types of vinyl plantation shutters are hollow vinyl, structured hollow vinyl, solid vinyl, and vinyl-clad wood.
- Composite Plantation Shutters: Also known as faux wood, composite plantation shutters serve as great alternatives to wood shutters. Composite shutters is more or less a hybrid of wood and vinyl shutters. They are made of engineered wood which is wrapped in vinyl coating. Its best features include being humidity and weather resistant.
What Is The Best Type Of Plantation Shutter?
Choosing the best type of plantation shutters to purchase depends on a number of factors that vary from one home to another. Each type of plantation shutter has its advantage, and you must be sure of what you are looking for before choosing.
- Customizing and Aesthetics: Aesthetics matter a lot when choosing your plantation shutters. You need to be certain that what you choose matches and complements the interior and exterior of your home. For townhouses and traditional homes, wood plantation shutters are the best. They give the home a rustic aesthetic, which blends brilliantly in that kind of setting. You can easily choose a color that matches the color scheme of the home. For a more modern home, Vinyl shutters are better options. Their simple shapes and thin lines go very well with contemporary designs. All in all, it comes down to your taste and the kind of outlook you wish to achieve.
- Insulation: Insulation is very important when choosing your plantation shutters. While all plantation shutters offer quality insulation to a reasonable extent, some are better than the others. Vinyl shutters are much better than wood shutters in providing insulation. Vinyl shutters are fabricated to trap sunlight, thereby keeping the heat out and maintaining the interior temperature. However, if you have a good air conditioning system, the insulation would not be a problem, and you can, therefore, go for any type of shutter you desire.
- Weather: Weather is another important thing to consider when choosing a plantation shutter. Vinyl and composite plantation shutters are best for humid areas as they are weather resistant. Wood shutter, on the other hand, is not the best option for areas like the bathroom, garage, and attic, as it’s susceptible to humidity and moisture.
In conclusion, whatever style you desire, it is important to go for the quality option over the cheap option. Plantation shutters add a lot to the outlook and comfort in a home, and it is only fitting that you purchase the best quality.