The Best Window Treatments for Spring

Best Window Treatments for Spring
Best Window Treatments for Spring
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Although we have just entered the winter season, purchasing new window treatments as a holiday gift for a loved one (or yourself) is always a great idea. Spring cleaning is also on the horizon and with the severe shortage of goods, making your home improvement purchases early should be a priority. In this article, we will explore the best window treatments for spring. 

Plantation Shutters

Plantation shades are always in style, no matter what the layout of your home is. They offer a great balance of natural light and privacy, perfect for first-floor apartments or homes that are located on main roads. At Shenandoah Shutters, we offer natural wood shutters painted white or cream or with a natural wood stain. All of our shutters are handmade in our workshop in Richmond, VA. 

Bedroom/Blackout Curtains

With the sun setting later and rising early in the morning, blackout curtains can help ensure a good night’s rest along with providing privacy. These curtains can be especially helpful if you are someone who doesnt work a traditional 9-5 job. 

For example, if you work in healthcare and must sleep during the day after an overnight shift, blackout curtains can make sleeping during the sunlight hours feel more natural. They also provide secure privacy and can be great for child bedrooms, especially if your kids are still taking naps! 

Window Valances

Window valances add an incredible charm to any home. These can tie any room together, but they are most commonly installed in living and dining rooms. Feel free to choose an accent color or a fun pattern to spice up your current home decor layout. You can also have valances made in a unique fabric for an extra touch of uniqueness. 

Smart Window Treatments 

Welcome to the future! Smart window treatments are operated with a remote or timer so that you don’t need to worry about remembering to open and close the blinds in your home. If you like to wake up to natural sunlight, these can be an exceptional investment in your home. They come in all different colors and styles, so you can choose a sheer fabric or blackout material. 

We hope this article helps you discover new window treatments you might like to incorporate into your home next season! Looking for natural plantation shutters to enhance the natural beauty of spring? Contact Shenandoah Shutters today to learn more about our shutters or to purchase some of your own.

Unique Plantation Shutter Ideas For Your Home

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If you are planning on installing plantation shutters in your home, this article is for you! Plantation shutters never go out of style and can be used to spruce up your bedroom, living room, or dining room spaces. They are sturdy and easy to clean, making them perfect for a family house. Let’s explore unique ideas you can use when installing plantation shutters in your space.

Get Creative With Materials

When choosing plantation shutters, it’s important to evaluate all of your options. These shutters come in a variety of materials such as vinyl, fake wood, hardwood, and plastic. Decide which shutters will best complement your existing furniture and go from there. If you’re looking for long lasting and authentic beauty, wood is usually the best way to go. 

Choose a Color That Matches Your Aesthetic

Most homeowners will opt for a standard white plantation shutter. While keeping things crisp and coordinated can be great for style, adding a pop of color can help bring out accents in your home and make the space more uniquely you. You can order shutters in a variety of colors, including natural woodgrain stains. 

Invest in Long Curtains

Long curtains look beautiful when paired with plantation shutters. This is another way to add a pop of color and make your home more customized and inviting, rather than choosing a bold color for your shutters. You can even get creative when picking fabric and texture to add another element of fun to your space. Long curtains also add an extra layer of privacy and light control, making them a great addition to your bedroom decor. 

Install Them On Your Doors

Plantation Shutter on French Door

Plantation shutters are often installed on doors, specifically a french door style. This adds a vintage touch to your home and provides an extra layer of privacy and light control. 

Plantation Shutter on Sliding Glass Door

You can even add plantation shutters on your sliding glass doors for a beautiful look inside and outside the home.

We hope this article helps you become inspired to decorate your home with plantation shutters in a unique way. Happy customizing! Looking for the perfect plantation shutters for your home? Contact Shenandoah Shutters today to invest in handcrafted wooden shutters built right here in Richmond, VA.

The Best Time of Year To Order Plantation Shutters

Best Time of Year To Order Plantation Shutters
Best Time of Year To Order Plantation Shutters
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With the fall season in full swing, you might have wondered if this is the best time of year to order plantation shutters. Or, is it better to install plantation shutters in the warmer spring and summer months? What about winter?

Of course, the answer to these questions is that plantation shutters can be installed year round. These shutters elevate the look and feel of your home regardless of the season. However, there are certain times of the year when the benefits of plantation shutters might be more noticeable. Here’s a closer look at installing plantation shutters by season:

Installing Plantation Shutters in Fall and Winter

As the weather turns colder, window treatments suddenly take center stage in the home. It’s common for a home to lose 10% or more of its heat through its windows. Installing the right window treatment can prevent some of this heat loss and help keep your home warmer, longer. This could potentially save you money on your heating bills. 

Because plantation shutters are naturally energy-efficient, they are a top choice for installations in the fall and winter months. With plantation shutters, you use the tilt rod to open and close the louvers (horizontal slats) of the shutter. This lets you control the amount of sunlight entering your house, but it also gives you a layer of privacy without sacrificing an outdoor view. This is ideal for those long winter snow days at home. 

Plantation shutters are beautiful window treatments. Since the fall and winter seasons also bring with them many different holidays, having plantation shutters in the home can be a way to boost the aesthetics of your house just in time for the guests to arrive.

Installing Plantation Shutters in Spring and Summer

Like winter and fall, the warmer spring and summer months mean that your home will benefit from energy-efficient plantation shutters. With these shutters, your home will stay cooler and your energy bills will likely decrease. While energy-efficient curtains and blinds can sometimes help control energy loss, these items aren’t as naturally effective or aesthetically pleasing as plantation shutters. 

Plantation shutters provide maximum light control, so you can enjoy the sunny days on your own terms. Host guests for pool parties and summer game nights with just the right lighting from your plantation shutters. Plantation shutters also allow for proper ventilation and air flow, a necessity during hot summer days. 

The warmer months of spring and summer are some of the most popular months for buying and selling houses. If you’re trying to sell your home, then installing plantation shutters before potential summer buyers tour your house could increase the resale value of your home. This is especially true for hardwood plantation shutters, rather than faux wood or other materials.

Ordering Plantation Shutters from Shenandoah Shutters

At Shenandoah Shutters, we’ve been crafting authentic, hardwood plantation shutters in our Richmond, Virginia woodshop since 1990. Our plantation shutters are made by our skilled woodworking employees and are available in your choice of color, wood, and style. You can request a custom color or choose from one of our regular colors and wood stains. You can request a specialty wood, like mahogany or oak. 

Shenandoah Shutters patented the Softedge design, a contemporary design solution for plantation shutters. This design is especially ideal for individuals with tilt-ins and casements. With the Softedge design, the hinges of your plantation shutter will be hidden when the shutter is closed. 

Shenandoah Shutters serves a variety of locations, including Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Contact us today for more information about our plantation shutters or to schedule an installation appointment. We’ll provide a free consultation and estimate.

12 Home Trends To Expect For 2022

12 Home Trends To Expect For 2022
12 Home Trends To Expect For 2022
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With 2022 just a few months away, many homeowners are ready to refresh their living spaces. This is especially true as many of us have continued to spend more time at home since the start of the pandemic.  From new color schemes to creating multifunctional areas and embracing the styles of the past, here’s a look at some of the most popular trends emerging for 2022:

Home Offices

One trend that is expected to remain a favorite well into 2022 is the addition of the home office. The COVID-19 pandemic changed how we work and many employees are still conducting at least some business from home. The increased use of Zoom and other video chatting programs has also made it important to have a quiet, professional room for calls and virtual meetings. 

Indoor Plants and Outdoor Gardens

Garden spaces and indoor plants also became popular during the height of the pandemic. As a result, live greenery is expected to remain a top trend as we head into 2022. Plants are soothing and relaxing, as well as beautiful. Making space in your home for plants can boost your mood and potentially improve air quality. If you have yard space, you might even choose to start a garden. 

Multifunctional Rooms

Using the common areas in your home, such as the dining room or the living room, as multifunctional areas is quickly becoming the norm. Start simple by styling the room with a piece of furniture, such as a bookshelf, and adding clever storage options, such as a coffee table with hidden storage or a storage ottoman. When you’re ready to go bigger, play around with room combinations, such as setting up part of the living room as a playroom or incorporating the dining room into the kitchen. 

Energy-Efficient Windows

We are living in an era of sustainability. Energy saving windows reduce the amount of energy used by your home. You can also achieve this effect with plantation shutters. Plantation shutters are naturally energy-efficient, so they keep your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Installing plantation shutters on your windows is an eco-friendly solution to curtains and blinds. 

Retro Furniture and Decor

The past is the future. The home decor trends in 2022 will look more like the design styles of the 1970s and the 1990s. The 70s is back to bring us elaborate tile floors, art deco styles, decorative patterns, rattan chairs, and muted, earthy colors. The 90s revival, meanwhile, brings with it blonde wood, white kitchens, and familiar color palettes, like neon and pastel. If you’re looking for 2022 inspiration, look no further than the designs of these decades.

Natural Paint Colors

The past two years have seen a rise in homeowners looking to create an oasis inside of their homes. Instead of the bold, bright colors spotted in the years before the pandemic, more natural colors are now the preferred choices. In 2022, expect to see many different shades of green, deep yellows, and faded blues that are reminiscent of the 70s and 90s trends. You’ll also spot earthy browns and neutral colors, like beige. 

Circle and Oval Shapes

2022 is set to be the year of circular furniture. Tables with curved edges and soft, round lounge chairs are trendy and tie into the current 1970s nostalgia. There has also been a resurgence in mid-century modern furniture styles. 

Less Clutter

While the full minimalism look is on the decline, there is still a certain type of minimalism that is on the rise. This new style of minimalism strives to keep homes looking cozy and lived-in while minimizing clutter. Storage and organization, especially organization alongside multifunctional spaces, is the look of the new year. 

More Wallpaper

Once considered a relic of the past, wallpaper is more popular than ever. Textured looks, florals, tropical plants, birds, and art deco patterns are trendy for 2022. 

Black Accents

A pop of black color makes a bold, dramatic statement and is an extremely popular paint choice for 2022. Join the trend by adding black accents to an otherwise neutral or earth toned room. 

Plush Fabrics

Comfort is the name of the game for the new year. Look for 70s style plush couches and chairs, as well as corduroy cushions and even shag rugs to ring in 2022 like it’s 1972. 

Earthy Materials

Wood is a natural material filled with charm and character. Natural materials like wood, rattan, wicker, and bamboo are all trendy choices for furniture and decor in 2022. 

Wooden Plantation Shutters from Shenandoah Shutters

Shenandoah Shutters has been handcrafting authentic, all wood plantation shutters in our Richmond, Virginia woodshop since 1990. Our plantation shutters are available in both traditional and contemporary styles. You can choose from custom colors, rich stains, and vibrant cream colored options for your shutters. You can also request a specialty wood, such as mahogany, oak, or cherry. 

We primarily service Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C, but will often install plantation shutters in other locations by request. Contact Shenandoah Shutters today to schedule a free consultation or to learn more about installing plantation shutters.

Can You Find Plantation Shutters For Your Custom-Shaped Windows

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Plantation Shutters for Custom-Shaped Windows

Custom-shaped windows are elegant additions to any home. These windows are specifically designed to enhance the look of your home and match its unique aesthetic. However, if you have custom-shaped windows, you might struggle to find the right window treatment for your home. Curtains may not look quite right, while blinds don’t always fit correctly.  You might be wondering if plantation shutters can be installed on these  windows. In fact, custom made plantation shutters and custom-shaped windows are a perfect match. 

Custom Made Plantation Shutters Can Fit Any Window Size or Shape

When you’re looking for plantation shutters for your custom-shaped windows, you’ll want to install custom-made plantation shutters to go with them. Plantation shutters that are measured and designed to fit your window are the best choice no matter your window type, but they are especially suited for custom-shaped windows. 

Plantation shutters allow you to control the sunlight that filters in and out of your home. This gives you the ability to control the amount of light in each room. Plantation shutters also provide privacy and are energy-efficient. This is especially useful if your custom-shaped windows are fixed, or do not open. The plantation shutter design will naturally keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter regardless of your window’s functionality. 

There are many different custom window shapes. Some of the most popular include octagonal windows, half-circle, triangular, and slant-top windows. The woodworking team at Shenandoah Shutters can handcraft plantation shutters for any window type. 

Plantation Shutters for Doors and Sidelights

If you have a French door or a sliding glass door in your home, you might have also wondered if plantation shutters can be installed on your door. Plantation shutters can absolutely be installed on French doors and sliding glass doors, as well as sidelights. Plantation shutters are an ideal way to add a layer of privacy to your doors and sidelights without sacrificing the beauty and light that these home features provide. 

There are a variety of installation solutions available to allow you to keep the functionality of your door while maintaining the beauty of plantation shutters.This is true even if you have an unusually shaped door handle. 

Plantation Shutters for Sunbursts and Arches

Sunbursts and arch windows have grown in popularity over the years. Plantation shutters look gorgeous on these distinctive windows. Because of their charm and character, hardwood plantation shutters are especially appealing on these windows. 

Hardwood is the material of choice for plantation shutters. While plantation shutters can be found in vinyl, faux wood, and composite choices, all of these materials are made to imitate natural hardwood. That’s why Shenandoah Shutters crafts plantation shutters using only the finest American, natural  woods. Our hardwood plantation shutters are durable and easily cut to fit your custom-shaped windows. 

Plantation Shutters at Shenandoah Shutters

Shenandoah Shutters is located in Richmond, Virginia. We’ve been serving a variety of locations along the East Coast since 1990, including Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. Our interior plantation shutters are completely hardwood and fully customizable to fit both your windows and your style. 

At Shenandoah Shutters, you choose from wood stains or paint colors, including custom colors, for your plantation shutters. You can use one of our recommended woods or request a specialty wood such as oak, mahogany, or cherry. You can even choose the design of your plantation shutters. We offer different options for tilt rods and louver sizes. We even created our own, patented Softedge design for a more contemporary shutter solution. The Softedge is particularly ideal for unique window types, including tilt-ins and casements. 

Schedule an Appointment with Shenandoah Shutters

If you’re ready to install plantation shutters on your custom-shaped windows, contact Shenandoah Shutters today. You can also reach our team by phone at 1-800-733-1549. We’ll set up a free consultation to measure your windows and discuss a plan for your custom made plantation shutters!

How To Personalize Your Plantation Shutters

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When you’re decorating your home, you want to choose the colors and furniture pieces that suit your style. Planning your window treatment is one of the best opportunities for you to personalize your home. Plantation shutters are extremely customizable treatments. You can choose the color of your shutters, the design of your shutters, and even the type of wood that is used to build your plantation shutters. You can also decide to pair your plantation shutters with decorative curtains. 

If you’re wondering how to personalize plantation shutters for your home, here are a few suggestions:

Choose the Color of Your Plantation Shutters

Hardwood plantation shutters are naturally beautiful and can be stained or painted in a variety of colors, including popular neutral colors, like cream or white. Shenandoah Shutters can even color match from a provided sample. You might determine the color of your plantation shutters based on the different rooms of your home, or you might have an overall idea in mind. 

Decide on the Style of Your Tilt Rod

On a plantation shutter, a tilt rod is what you will use to control the louvers (horizontal slats) of your shutter. This is how you will be able to filter sunlight in and out of your home for the perfect ambiance. You can choose the type of tilt rod that you prefer on your shutters. Maybe you like the look of the classic tilt rod with a continuous rod right down the middle of the shutter. Or, maybe you’d rather have a hidden tilt rod or a split tilt rod. This is a style choice that is completely customizable by you.

Plan Your Louver Size and Shape

Getting to choose the shape and size of your louvers is another exciting way to personalize your plantation shutters. The louvers are the horizontal slats that make up the shutters. Shenandoah Shutters offers louvers in three sizes: 2.5 inches, 3.5 inches, or 4.5 inches. While a larger louver will offer a bigger view space between each louver when the plantation shutters are open, the decision is really based on your own personal preferences. Some people prefer wider louvers, while others prefer smaller or medium-sized louvers. 

This is true of the shape of your louvers, too. You can choose from flat or contoured louver shapes. Contoured louvers look similar to airplane wings in that they are wider in the middle, but thinner in the back and front. Flat louvers are flat and even on all sides. 

These simple choices can make a big impact on the look of your plantation shutters.

Choose Your Hardwood Type

Hardwood is the best choice for plantation shutters. This material is more durable and long lasting than plastic or vinyl. Plus, hardwood plantation shutters are so sought after by buyers that having them on your windows can increase the resale value of your home!

What type of hardwood is best? The type of hardwood that is used for your plantation shutters is important for creating rich, vibrant colors and stains. Some hardwoods are better suited to colors and stains than others. That’s why Shenandoah Shutters prefers yellow poplar wood for our cream colors and basswood for our stains. Yellow poplar is a wood type that isn’t very  porous, which means that it looks fantastic when paired with lighter colors. Basswood, meanwhile, gives stains a richer, warmer look. 

Of course, you might prefer oak, mahogany, cherry, walnut, or another sturdy  hardwood type. This is especially true if you’re trying to match wood in your home to your plantation shutters. In this case, you might choose to request a custom wood for your plantation shutters. A custom wood provides you with another option to further personalize your shutters and make the design your own.

Make a Bold Statement with Your Plantation Shutters

One of the reasons why plantation shutters continue to be so popular is their versatility. Plantation shutters easily fit in with any color scheme or decorating theme. You can easily personalize your plantation shutters by pairing them with patterned curtains or matching them with the wooden furniture in your home. 

If you have a breakfast nook, then cafe shutters are a fun choice. With cafe shutters, the top part of the window is left uncovered, except for a valance or similar fabric material. The bottom part of the window contains the plantation shutters. 

Do you have French doors in your home? What about a sliding glass door or an oddly-shaped window? Installing plantation shutters on your doors and different window sizes is an unexpected way to personalize your home and make a major design statement! 

Specialty Options at Shenandoah Shutters

Shenandoah Shutters offers you an extra way to personalize your plantation shutters. Our original, patented Softedge design is a contemporary design that conceals the hinges of your plantation shutter when the shutter is closed. The result is clean and modern, making the Softedge a favorite for all window types. However, tilt-in and casement windows especially benefit from this solution. You don’t have to worry about hanging strips or boxy frames. In fact, at Shenandoah Shutters, you don’t even have to worry about adjusting the tension — we don’t use a tensioning system!

Schedule an Appointment for Your Plantation Shutters

Shenandoah Shutters provides many ways for you to personalize your plantation shutters. From color and hardwood type to your specific plantation shutter design, our consultants are ready to help you plan the shutter design that is right for your home. 

We’re located in Richmond, Virginia, and have been handcrafting custom made, completely hardwood plantation shutters in our woodshop since 1990. Our service areas include Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. We’ve also served Delaware, North Carolina, and a variety of other requested locations. 

If you’re ready to upgrade your window treatment to plantation shutters, contact us online today! You can also give us a call at 1-800-733-1549. We’ll schedule a time to measure your windows and provide a free consultation for your plantation shutters.

Why Plantation Shutters Are Such Versatile Window Treatments

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One of the reasons why plantation shutters are so popular is because of their versatility. Plantation shutters provide privacy and light control that is completely adjusted by you. Plus, plantation shutters look great in any design scheme. You don’t have to worry about your window treatment clashing with your decor. 

Curious about how exactly plantation shutters are such versatile window treatments? Here are 5 reasons why no other window treatment is as adaptable as plantation shutters: 

You Control the Louvers on Your Plantation Shutters

The louvers are the horizontal slats of your plantation shutters. Using the tilt rod, you are able to open and close the shutters to filter sunlight in and out of your home. 

This is also valuable for privacy. You could open one section of louvers for sunlight and close the other section for privacy. You could open all of the louvers for complete sunlight or close them to keep out the sun. There are also plenty of options in between for creating just the right ambiance. Blinds, curtains, and other window treatments don’t offer this level of light and privacy control. 

Plantation Shutters Can Be Custom Made for Your Windows

The highest quality plantation shutters come from wood shops that take the time to customize each plantation shutter to your windows. Other window treatments might come in a size that matches your windows, but they aren’t actually custom made to fit the unique shape of your particular windows. A proper fit means a better, longer lasting window treatment. 

The design of well-fitted plantation shutters also allows for better energy efficiency.  The plantation shutters will help keep your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, saving you money on your heating and air bills.

Plantation Shutters Can Fit Any Window 

Plantation shutters can be made to fit windows of any size or shape. Arches and sidelights can have plantation shutters. You can even install plantation shutters on French doors and sliding glass doors. There are also techniques to install plantation shutters on tilt-ins while keeping the functionality of the window. No matter your window, there are installation solutions for plantation shutters. 

Plantation Shutters Are a Designer’s Dream

Designers love plantation shutters. They are elegant and timeless. They consistently boost the resale value of homes. They look good in any room of your home and blend in with any room theme. When you buy curtains or drapes, you wonder how long the pattern or fabric color will suit your room design. Homeowners switch out curtains at least a couple of times a year. Plantation shutters remain. This means less work for you and more chances to get creative with your home design. 

You Choose the Look of Your Plantation Shutters

Installing custom made plantation shutters means that you get to have a say in the color and even material of your window treatment. Hardwood is the best material for plantation shutters. It is durable and full of character. If you prefer a particular hardwood, you can request a custom wood for your plantation shutters, such as mahogany, cherry, or oak. 

Creamy white plantation shutters and richly stained plantation shutters are classic choices for homeowners. You can also select a custom color for your shutters. 

You can personalize plantation shutters beyond the color and wood type, too. You can choose from certain tilt rod styles, louver sizes or shapes, and contemporary or modern looks. There are cafe shutters, where only the bottom part of the window has the shutter. The top part of the window is usually covered by a valance. There is also the option to pair curtains or other fabric treatments with plantation shutters. This window treatment gives you so many choices. 

Plantation Shutters at Shenandoah Shutters

The craftsmen at Shenandoah Shutters have been building stylish, hardwood plantation shutters in our Richmond, Virginia woodshop since 1990. We’ve installed plantation shutters in homes across Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. We’ve also served Delaware and Northern North Carolina. 

We created our own, patented Softedge design to give you more options for your plantation shutters. We use only the finest American woods and offer a 100-year limited, transferable warranty on our shutters. 
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and appointment for your plantation shutters.

Why Plantation Shutters Never Go Out of Style

Why Plantation Shutters Never Go Out of Style
Why Plantation Shutters Never Go Out of Style
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Your choice in window treatment has a huge impact on the look and feel of your home. Curtains, blinds, shades, and shutters are all completely different window treatments that change the aesthetic of the rooms in your house. They also offer their own benefits and downsides. When it’s time to install a window treatment, you might worry about trends. You might wonder if historic window treatments, like plantation shutters, are still in style. 

The answer is a resounding yes. While trends come and go with every passing year, plantation shutters are one of the few home design choices that are truly timeless. You can feel confident that plantation shutters are an incredible long term investment in your home. Wondering what makes plantation shutters so ageless? 

Here are 6 reasons why plantation shutters will never go out of style:

Plantation Shutters Are Sophisticated

Hardwood is a favorite material of homeowners. From hardwood flooring to wooden cabinets and dressers, wood gives a home an earthy feel and brings character to a room. Fine furniture is made from high-quality wood material. Hardwood plantation shutters are equally stylish. They blend in with your existing wooden furniture. They also feel (and are) more substantial than plastic, vinyl, or other materials. 

Shenandoah Shutters handcrafts each plantation shutter before applying a silken lacquer finish. The result makes each room of your home feel put together and sophisticated. 

Plantation Shutters Increase the Resale Value of Your Home

Since plantation shutters stay with the home, they are known to increase a home’s resale value. They might also make buyers more likely to purchase your home. Potential buyers appreciate the beauty and functionality of plantation shutters. They are a great selling point for your house.

Plantation Shutters Are Long-Lasting and Durable

While fabric materials are easily torn and plastic materials are easily broken, plantation shutters are known for being long-lasting. Hardwood is an incredibly strong material that is made to cover your windows for years to come.

Plantation Shutters Are Versatile

If you love decorative curtains or drapes, you don’t have to give them up in favor of plantation shutters. You can absolutely pair curtains with plantation shutters to make a bold design statement. Certain plantation shutters, such as cafe shutters, are actually designed to have fabric material at the top of the window. 

When you want to redesign the rooms in your house, you also don’t have to worry about your wooden plantation shutters clashing with your home’s new look. Wood is a neutral material that will pair with any design scheme or color palette. 

Plantation Shutters Are Energy-Efficient

One trend that has been going strong for a while is the trend toward smart homes and energy-efficiency. Plantation shutters fit right into this modern movement. These shutters are naturally energy-efficient. The design of the shutters keeps your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Many homeowners report lower heating and air bills after installing plantation shutters.

Plantation Shutters Are Customizable

At Shenandoah Shutters, plantation shutters are made to fit your windows. You choose a contemporary or classic design for your plantation shutters. You choose the size of the louvers (horizontal slats) and the style of the tilt rod that controls the shutters. You even choose to have stained plantation shutters, cream plantation shutters, or plantation shutters in a specific color. 

Most window treatments are not this customizable. With hardwood plantation shutters, you are able to build the window treatment that suits your windows and the needs of your home.

Plantation Shutters from Shenandoah Shutters

For over thirty years, Shenandoah Shutters has been providing these timeless plantation shutters to residents of Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. All of our plantation shutters are built by hand at our woodshop in Richmond, Virginia using all American woods, including yellow poplar and basswood. 

We can cut plantation shutters to fit windows of any size or shape. We can even install plantation shutters on sliding glass doors, French doors, arches, and unusually shaped windows. We have innovative installation solutions for difficult window designs, including tilt-ins and casements. In fact, we created an original design known as the Softedge for these window types. 

Schedule an Appointment for Your Plantation Shutters

Contact Shenandoah Shutters today to learn more about our process and to schedule a free consultation for your plantation shutters! You can also explore our online photo gallery for a closer look at the many options available to you when you choose plantation shutters from Shenandoah Shutters.

Plantation Shutters For Small Windows

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Round Window Shutters

We know that plantation shutters can look great on large double hung windows or bay and bow windows. But what about smaller shapes? Small windows can be tricky to deal with. Either narrow or simply short, it’s hard to know the right window treatments to use for them. Curtains can dwarf them, blinds can hang down loosely. Plantation shutters can be ideal for a number of reasons, but will they serve your small windows? Here’s what you need to know.

Plantation Shutters Are Sized To Fit Your Window

Plantation shutters are designed to fit to the frame of the window, whatever size or shape that window might be. At Shenandoah Shutters, all of our plantation shutters are made at our workshop in Richmond. We take in the dimensions of your window and we make our shutters fit that, which means that even small windows will have plantation shutters that are made to fit them. This will help create a more cohesive feel overall.

Plantation Shutters Add Perception and Style to Small Windows

Maybe you have very narrow casement windows? The horizontal louvers of plantation shutters can help make them seem wider. Plantation shutters, especially traditional plantation shutters, have a grand and classic sort of style. If you have ever worried about your small windows looking out of place, worry no more. Plantation shutters will add elegance to them and may even trick the viewer’s perception into seeing them as larger. 

Different Plantation Shutter Shapes

Traditional plantation shutters are usually one or two vertical panels that frame the window in a timelessly elegant way. But these are not the only plantation shutter shapes you can use. Shenandoah Shutters offers our patented Softedge shutters, which are beloved because of their subtle edges that seem to blend in with your window frame. These will offer your small window all the benefits of plantation shutters without overwhelming them. There are also cafe shutters in the event that you’d like to leave half of your small window open. These shutters cover the lower half of the window, leaving the top bare or to be covered with a small curtain.

The Benefit of Custom Plantation Shutters

In some cases, small windows also come with a shape that’s somewhat outside the norm for windows. For instance, you may have a small, circular picture window or an awning window that is more horizontal than vertical. While these might not be well suited to the traditional rectangular plantation shutters, that doesn’t mean there are no plantation shutter options for you. At Shenandoah Shutters, we make custom plantation shutters as well, using unique wood upon request or creating our shutters to fit unique shapes. The shutters should fit your window, rather than your window having to fit our shutters.

Whether your windows are large or small, Shenandoah Shutters can help you find the perfect plantation shutters for them. Contact us today to learn more or to visit our workshop and showroom in Richmond.

3 Common Plantation Shutter Issues and How To Fix Them

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Technician fixing Plantation Shutter Issues

Plantation shutters are simply the best window treatment option you can find in today’s market. They’re beautiful, durable, made from natural materials, and relatively low maintenance. However, that doesn’t mean that time or the environment around your shutters won’t wear down on those shutters. Your plantation shutters could develop small operational issues, but most of them can be fixed at home with ease. Here are some of the most common plantation shutter issues we hear about:

1. Loose Louvers 

The slats of your plantation shutters are called louvers. Ideally, they can be adjusted by your tilt wand to let in as much or as little light as you’d like. However, louvers can become loose with frequent use, as can anything else. When this happens, they can slide back down even when they’re lifted. Fortunately, this is easily fixed with a Phillip’s head screwdriver. You’ll find tension screws at each end of the louvers. Use the screwdriver to tighten each side and they’ll be able to work good as new.

2. Crooked Louvers

Another issue is that your louvers can become crooked or misaligned. This can happen especially if you have pets or children who tend to be precocious. Most plantation shutters have small plastic pins that hold the slats in place with the tilt wand so as to keep from falling out of alignment. If your louvers are misaligned, you may find one of these plastic pins fallen nearby. If not, they’re fairly cheap to replace. These simply need to be slid back into place until the louver is secured.

3. Broken Frames or Louvers

A small break in the louvers may be able to be fixed with wood glue, though it will never look quite “good as new.” A more extensive break to the louvers will likely require a replacement louver. You can contact your plantation shutter manufacturer and ask them to come out to do the job. If the frame is broken, this is one of the more major plantation shutter issues and will probably require a full replacement, though it’s always a good idea to talk to the shutter manufacturer first so you can know your options. However, broken frames are typically caused by an unusual amount of pressure and are not as common.

How To Fix Your Plantation Shutters

Plantation shutters might not be maintenance free, but well-made plantation shutters manufactured with the right wood are sure to hold up better than any other window treatment. At Shenandoah Shutters, we manufacture all of our shutters at our workshop in Richmond, VA. We use durable woods like yellow poplar or custom woods such as mahogany, oak, or cherry. Contact us today to learn more about our plantation shutter options as well as how to care for those plantation shutters.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • How to fix loose plantation shutters?

Locate the tension screws on the hinge side of each panel and tighten them clockwise using a Phillips head screwdriver. Go a quarter turn at a time and test the louvers as you go. If the screw spins without gripping, replace it with a slightly longer drywall screw so it bites into fresh wood.

  • Why are my plantation shutters not closing properly?

Check each hinge along the frame and tighten any screws that have worked loose using a Phillips head screwdriver. If the panel still does not close flush, the hinge itself may need replacing. Contact your manufacturer before attempting anything further.

  • What tools do I need to fix plantation shutter problems at home?

Just a Phillips head screwdriver for most repairs. Replacement plastic pins and drywall screws are worth keeping on hand too. All are available at any hardware store for a few dollars.

  • Can I replace just one louver, or do I need a whole new panel?

In most cases a single louver can be swapped out on its own. Contact your original manufacturer with your shutter details and they can usually match it. A full panel replacement is only needed when the frame itself is damaged.