Window coverings do more than just let light in and out of your Virginia home or office. At Shenandoah Shutters, we know just how popular plantation shutters are, and we often get asked, “Are custom plantation shutters worth it?”
The answer? Yes, and we’re going to tell you several reasons why plantation shutters are the perfect fit for just about any design, as well as how they fit any budget.
Increased Energy Efficiency
Plantation shutters are extremely efficient at conserving energy, which helps your home feel cooler on hot summer days and snug on a chilly winter’s night. Especially for people in older homes, which may be drafty or have older heating and cooling appliances, plantation shutters can help reduce utility bills to heat or cool the house.
The reason plantation shutters are more energy-efficient than other types of shutters, blinds, or curtains lies in the way that they fit against the window frame. Plantation shutters are placed just inside the window frame, like a seal. This prevents inside air from escaping through the glass and prevents outside air from entering the home. The inherent structure of plantation shutters makes them the best type of window coverings to maintain consistent indoor temperature.
Simple to Maintain
The design of plantation shutters is why they’re so simple to clean and maintain. They’re sturdy, made from durable wood that can handle friction cleaning, such as from a vacuum brush attachment or wiped down with a cleaning cloth. There’s a distinct advantage to cleaning plantation shutters over, say, drapes, which must be taken down and professionally dry cleaned. Even plastic or lighter wood blinds aren’t as sturdy, and over-enthusiastic cleaning could break or bend them. The easier and faster it is to clean the dust and debris from your window coverings, your indoor air quality will be purer.
Durability
Our plantation shutters are made with the best wood materials for their structure. With stained shutters, we use lightweight and low maintenance basswood, while painted shutters are made with the denser yellow poplar. Our custom shutters are made with hardy, weather resistant woods like oak and mahogany.
Light Control
The design of plantation shutters, flush against the window frame, prevents gaps of light from entering a room. Reducing the light in bedrooms can enhance your sleep quality for families with babies or those who work shift work. The flush design reduces the amount of light around the edges of a window.
You can also adjust the overall amount of light in each room, depending on the time of day and your personal preference. You won’t have to worry about a glare on your TV set and can watch a movie even at sunset. Simply adjust the plantation shutters to the desired degree and pop some popcorn!
Safe for Children
Any parent with a toddler knows that child safety is of the utmost importance. In fact, many traditional styles of blinds and shades have warnings about keeping the cords out of reach of children and pets. Curtains, too, can be a danger to pets and children, from cats climbing up them and getting stuck to a child or dog playing tug-of-war with the fabric and pulling the rod off the wall.
Plantation shutters, however, are created with levers attached to the shutters themselves, without a hanging cord that can tempt a curious child. Cordless plantation shutters can help you feel more secure when your children play.
Shenandoah Shutters Can Help You Find the Perfect Plantation Shutters
Each home or office is different, with different needs, styles, and of course, window sizes! The beauty of plantation shutters is that they can be completely customized, allowing everyone to take advantage of the wide range of benefits that they offer.
The durability and practicality of plantation shutters, along with their timeless aesthetic, make them a flexible window covering choice for just about everyone. If you’re considering installing plantation shutters in your home, give the team at Shenandoah Shutters a call. Our design specialists can help you find the right materials and finish for your needs, including our custom Softedge Shutters. Plus, check out our Facebook page for a gallery of some of our favorite projects!
If you’d like to learn more about the benefits of plantation shutters and request a quote, give us a call or visit us online. We look forward to helping you find the perfect window coverings for your home.