Enhance Your Plantation Shutters With Home Decor

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Plantation shutters offer a classic yet modern touch to any interior home design. They are extremely functional, easy to keep clean, and can even be repainted over the years to match your changing decor taste. If you are renovating your home and installing plantation shutters, this blog will serve as the ultimate guide for inspiration! Keep reading to find out how to enhance your new plantation shutters with home decor. 

Farmhouse Style Design

Achieving a classic farmhouse style for your home might seem challenging, but it doesn’t have to be! Focus on keeping your decor simple and adding warm, homey touches to accent your plantation shutters. This style pairs beautifully with wooded plantation shutters that are finished with a light stain to give off a barn-door effect. 

When searching for farmhouse-style home decor items, try looking beyond your local home accessories store. Stop by a farmers market and pick up some crates, baskets, woven bags, or ceramic art pieces. These will allow your new style to feel more authentic — without breaking the bank! Repurposing your home items is also a great way to be kind to your environment. Painting or sanding down wooden crates or other storage items you’d find at a local farm will help you achieve the farmhouse charm you are searching for! 

French Boutique Aesthetic 

Plantation shutters are the perfect way to embrace a French boutique aesthetic for your home. They naturally provide an artistic feel that allows you to envision yourself sipping coffee on a patio somewhere on the streets of Europe — but if you want to really embrace this aesthetic, adding a few pieces of home decor can help! 

The French enjoy deviating from typical decor choices, and this means embracing a subtle pop of color! So, don’t be afraid to paint your plantation shutters a unique color of your choice to brighten up your space and allow you to take a modern approach to classic French design. Adding a splash of pastel blue or pale yellow can allow you to fully feel like you live in a French movie. 

Beach House Vibes

Since plantation shutters are so versatile in allowing sunlight and airflow into your home, why not take a chance on beach house vibes when deciding on decorations? For this look, it’s best to go with white shutters or a brown cabana shade. Next, you can accessorize with any beachy-themed decor you’d like!

When searching for accent pieces, grab anything that reminds you of a day by the sea. Dried starfish, sailboat paintings, or pots of seagrass are all great ideas! You can even update your kitchenware by investing in sea glass-blue bowls and plates or trying a DIY craft such as these braided rope mirrors!

Clean and Modern Living Space

If you want to create a clean and modern living space, try to stick to neutrals and remember that less is more! Painting your shutters a solid white color will help you start with a blank slate so that you can carefully accessorize other places in your home without making your interiors feel crowded. 

Add a modern clock, beige throw rugs, or simple shelves for wall art that serve as both fashion and function. With this look, you won’t have to worry about getting sick of your style a few years down the line. 

We hope this article helps you discover new ways to enhance your plantation shutters with home decor. If you are ready to embark on your next home renovation project, get started with us at Shenandoah Shutters!

4 Ways To Keep Your Shutters Looking Fresh and Healthy

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Keeping your home hygiene-friendly is more important now than ever. Cleaning and disinfecting the home is crucial to eliminating germs and killing harmful bacteria that can make you sick. Not only that, but all of us are spending more time at home post-Pandemic. If you are living and working from your house, why not spruce things up and go the extra mile to ensure your surfaces are spotless? In this article, we will discuss the top 4 ways to keep your plantation shutters looking fresh and healthy. 

Come Up With a Routine

Make a schedule and stick to it! When it comes to cleaning, consistency is everything. If you wait too long between dustings or washes, buildup will be extremely hard to remove, and the cleaning process can be very time-consuming. If you don’t want to spend hours scrubbing at the dust and grime on your shutters, try to create a schedule where you set aside 15-minutes to clean your shutters every other week. This way, the dirt won’t have time to build up and become unmanageable, keeping your cleaning routine short and sweet. 

Dusting is Everything

When it comes to caring for your plantation shutters, dusting is everything. This is why investing in a high-quality duster is so important! Try to use a soft cloth so as to not scratch or drag dirt along your shutters that can end up wearing the paint down. A microfiber cloth or feather duster should do the trick! Be sure to get in between the slats, through the hinges, and around the window frame for a complete clean. 

Re-Paint When Needed 

Overtime, it is natural for the coloring on your plantation shutters to fade or become scratched if you live at home with small children or pets. Luckily, plantation shutters can be repainted for a fresh good-as-new look! If you want to tackle this project as an at-home DIY adventure, be sure to remove the shutters fully prior to applying paint. This way, you won’t accidentally transfer paint onto your walls or floors. If you want a completely fresh look, try painting your shutters an entirely new color! This is a great way to change up the interior design of your home and make your space feel renovated. 

Don’t Be Afraid to Polish

If your plantation shutters are stained wood, don’t be afraid to add a bit of polish to keep them looking fresh and new. A simple furniture polish will do the trick, just be sure to choose a gentle formula as to not strip the paint or cause any discoloration! You can even purchase a spray-on furniture polish for easy application, allowing you to reach in between the slats and around the back of the shutters. If you choose to apply the solution by hand, be sure to saturate a soft cloth so as to not cause any scratches. 

Renovating your home can be a stressful process, but it doesn’t have to be! If you are looking to invest in handmade high-quality shutters that are built to last, contact us!

Do Plantation Shutters Fade? And Other Plantation Shutter Maintenance Questions

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Plantation shutters, custom-made shutters that precisely fit every window in your house, are so popular not just because they’re beautiful but also because of their durability. Properly cared for, plantation shutters can last years, even decades, if they’re created from high-quality materials.

At Shenandoah Shutters, we frequently get asked if the custom stain or paint on our clients’ plantation shutters will fade over time. Today, we’re answering that, plus all your other plantation shutters maintenance questions.

Do Plantation Shutters Fade?

Because plantation shutters are installed inside the house instead of outside, they aren’t exposed to the harsh elements as much as exterior shutters are. However, whether they’re painted or stained, wood shutters will fade over time when exposed to sunlight, so we recommend re-staining or re-painting if they begin to fade to ensure that your shutters look bright and fresh.

How Can I Clean My Plantation Shutters?

At Shenandoah Shutters, we make it easy for homeowners to clean our custom-made shutters. First, we seal each piece individually, preventing moisture from getting in. You can clean the shutters with a soft cloth or a vacuum cleaner attachment – no need for harsh chemicals, wood polish, or even soap and water. Simply wipe the dust off or vacuum weekly or monthly, depending on how dusty they get.

General Shutter Maintenance

Make sure to inspect your shutters regularly. Check the hinges, the slats, and the tilt rod and louver to ensure that they’re working correctly. Sometimes, the moving parts can get debris in them that makes it harder to open and close them. Checking them every six months can help you spot minor problems that can be easily fixed. Always make sure to open and close the shutters using the tilt rod, to reduce the chances of shutters breaking. 

Finally, inspect the slats for chips or small cracks. If the wood is chipped, moisture can get into the wood, causing damage or making it expand so that the shutters can’t fully close. For your shutter repair needs, give the team at Shenandoah Shutters a call.

Why Can’t I Polish My Stained Plantation Shutters?

We use real wood for our plantation shutters, from basswood to yellow poplar, and even hardwood on request. When wood gets damp, it can retain moisture and get damaged. After we stain the shutters, we seal them to prevent moisture from getting in. Repeatedly using chemical cleansers can weaken the integrity of the sealant we use and can damage the wood.

Tightening and Loosening the Shutter Louvers

Sometimes, the louvers won’t stay in your desired position. If you have trouble keeping your shutters open at the angle you like, or if they’re too tight and hard to tilt, then you can easily tighten or loosen the tension screws on either side of the shutter panel. Make sure that you have the tension equal on each side of the shutter.

Can I Re-Paint My Shutters?

When we stain or paint your custom-made plantation shutters, we coat each piece first, then assemble the shutters. You may re-paint your shutters if you wish, just be sure to seal them properly afterward. If you want to re-stain your shutters, though, it may be difficult to do so without damaging the wood. Unlike hardwood flooring, which can be re-stained, shutters are much smaller and more delicate, so we recommend calling us for help.

What If My Shutter Slats Break?

We may be able to help you with replacing a few broken shutter slats. Call our offices for help. If you had a custom stain, it may be difficult to find another piece that matches. Painted slats are generally easier to replace.

Do You Want Plantation Shutters In Your Virginia Home?

Do you love the look of plantation shutters? Do you want a window covering that can last for the life of your home? Plantation shutters from Shenandoah Shutters may be just right for you. We offer custom-made plantation shutters using only the highest quality of wood. Each shutter is a custom fit to the window you choose from traditional windows to French doors and even unusually shaped windows. All of our shutters are crafted in our Richmond woodshop then fitted to your windows. 

Contact us today for a design consultation or schedule an appointment to visit our showroom.

How To Keep Plantation Shutters From Fading

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Plantation shutters look beautiful the moment you first install them on your windows. Painted shutters can look sleek and smooth, and stained shutters bring out the authentic beauty of the wood. But many homeowners worry that beauty won’t last. What happens if, after a few years, the finish begins to fade? Fortunately, with the right plantation shutters and these tips, you can keep your shutters looking as beautiful as the day you got them for years to come.

Find the Right Plantation Shutters

If you want to keep your plantation shutters from fading, the first step is to find plantation shutters that are less likely to fade. Plantation shutters at Shenandoah Shutters, for instance, are a cut above the rest. These are handcrafted with carefully selected wood chosen to bring out the color in the shutters and hold it for years. We use basswood for our stained shutters, while a denser yellow poplar serves for our painted shutters. This selection helps to keep them looking vibrant long after you purchase them.

Choose Light Colors or Natural Wood Stain

The darker the color of your plantation shutters, the more likely they will be to fade. It is very difficult for white plantation shutters or cream plantation shutters to fade. Fortunately, white is the most popular color when it comes to interior plantation shutters. Our painted shutters come in cream and white, so they’re less likely to develop a worn and faded look over time. We also offer stained shutters. While the stain can begin to fade, it will take some time before it affects that natural wood charm.

Keep Up Plantation Shutter Maintenance

Plantation shutters are easy to clean and maintain, but keeping up occasional maintenance is still a good idea. As these shutters are made with real wood, make sure to use gentle cleaners and to wipe them down with a damp cloth rather than letting any water soak into them. These shutters can easily be adjusted and louvers tilted to ensure that you clean them from every angle. This is a quick chore which you’ll only need to do about once a week, and it will have a payoff that lasts for years.

At Shenandoah Shutters, we’re confident in the quality of our plantation shutters. Each shutter is handcrafted in our workshop in Richmond, Virginia. We ensure that we make shutters that will not just make a great first impression but will wow you for as long as you have them.

Want to learn more about our shutters? Contact us today to order your own or come visit our showroom to see for yourself.

Installing Plantation Shutters In Your Kitchen

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Plantation shutters are a timeless, classic window treatment. They look great in any room of your home, but they can really make your kitchen shine. In the kitchen, the right amount of lighting is essential and aesthetic can help create a feeling. Plantation shutters will help enhance the beauty of your kitchen and give you all the lighting you need (no more, no less). With shutters from Shenandoah Shutters, you’ll be inspired to cook at home more and more!

Why Plantation Shutters For Your Kitchen?

In many ways, your kitchen is the focal point of your home. It’s where you cook for your family or where you reach into the fridge at 1am because you’ve been working late. It’s where your friends gather with their drink of choice as you throw the first party of the year. Without your kitchen, your home just isn’t home. 

There are a number of reasons to install plantation shutters in your kitchen. Here are just a few:

  • Lighting. Natural lighting is important for your kitchen, which is why the kitchen often has large windows with expansive views. With plantation shutters, you can let in as much or as little light as you want. Open the shutters wide to let in the sun, close them to keep out the glare, or open the slats to filter sunlight in. 
  • Homey Charm. Plantation shutters never go out of style. They’re timeless, and they give your house a feeling more like home. They can come in a variety of styles, too, to suit the aesthetic of your kitchen. If traditional plantation shutters aren’t the way to go, consider our cafe shutters or our sleek and modern Softedge shutters. We even offer custom shutters to suit your custom windows.
  • Sound Barrier. Just because you want to enjoy the natural lighting and the views that can be found outdoors doesn’t mean you want to hear the neighbor’s kids shrieking or that one bird that made a nest in the tree nearest your house. Plantation shutters offer an extra sound barrier so you can prep, cook, and bake in peace. 
  • Energy Efficiency. Plantation shutters will also help you to better control air leakage and heat loss, which can be important in the kitchen. Not only will this make your kitchen more comfortable, it will help to reduce energy loss in your home overall.

What Kind of Plantation Shutters For Your Kitchen?

At Shenandoah Shutters, we offer authentic wood shutters in a variety of styles. You can find painted shutters or stained shutters, modern or traditional. Most homeowners prefer white or cream painted shutters for their kitchen, as this gives the space a light, airy feeling. However, if you want something a little cozier, stained shutters might be for you. Your style options include:

  • Traditional plantation shutters. Elegant, double door plantation shutters — the kind of shutters you might find on old plantation homes or even classic Greek homes.
  • Softedge plantation shutters. Our patented design is engineered to be subtle, sleek, and modern. It blends right into your window frame for a modern kitchen.
  • Cafe shutters. For a farmhouse kitchen or a kitchen with a cozy cafe feel, the answer is cafe shutters. These shutters cover the bottom half of the window while the top is generally accompanied with a small curtain. 
  • Custom shutters. If you’re looking for shutters to suit your custom windows, consider custom shutters in any shape you need. These can also come in custom hardwoods, such as cherry, oak, and mahogany. 

Is your kitchen missing plantation shutters? Shenandoah Shutters can solve that problem for you! We produce handcrafted wood plantation shutters at our workshop/showroom in Richmond, Virginia. Contact us today to learn more about our shutters, schedule a trip to our showroom, or order your own shutters today.

Are Plantation Shutters Child Friendly?

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When making the perfect space for your little one to grow and learn, safety is a top priority for most parents. However, you want to create an area that is both safe and personalized to your individual taste. In this article, we will explore how you can use plantation shutters to do exactly that!

Ace Your Little One’s Sleep Schedule 

Plantation shutters offer the ability for you to control the amount of light that floods your little one’s room at all times of the day. This is the perfect tool when it comes to naptime schedules or early bedtime routines in the summer. Blackout curtains are a great alternative, but they can collect dirt and must, causing your child to have allergies and feel stuffed up. Plantation shutters are easy to clean and add the perfect decorative touch. Open them up all the way to wake your child up in the morning and close the panels when it’s time for them to rest. 

Curtains Can Be a Safety Hazard

Not only can curtains collect dirt and dust, but they also pose a safety threat for young children who are still learning to walk and move independently. Little ones often grab for anything in their reach to help pull them up and gain stability. Unfortunately, if they hold onto a curtain or sleep in a crib below one, this can be a serious choking hazard. Plantation shutters eliminate this threat so you can sleep easily, knowing your child is safe.

Plantation Shutters are Highly Customizable 

Decorating your child’s room can be a very exciting experience allowing parents to bond before their baby is born. If you are picking a theme or wanting to completely customize your child’s bedroom, plantation shutters are an excellent choice. They can be painted and re-painted, so they change and match your child’s changing tastes as they grow up. This makes plantation shutters a one-time investment, which is extremely cost-effective. If you are looking for a money-smart way to decorate your child’s room, plantation shutters are perfect! 

Keep Your Child’s Room Warm 

Plantation shutters are a great way to help insulate your child’s room and add an extra layer of privacy. If you live in a colder climate, plantation shutters can add an extra layer of protection for your home and keep the cold out. Not only that, but when you are playing with your child or getting them ready for the day, plantation shutters add an extra layer of privacy as you can completely close them without having to worry about sheer curtains exposing your home. 

We hope this article helped to answer your questions about installing plantation shutters in your child’s room or in your home. If you are looking to begin the renovation process, Shenandoah Shutters is here to help guide you! Contact us today to learn more about our plantation shutters or to order your own.

Exterior Shutters vs. Interior Shutters: Which Is Right For You?

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If you are contemplating a home renovation, plantation shutters are likely on your mind! Not only do plantation shutters add a beautiful homey touch to any space, but they are extremely functional and versatile for any decor taste. In this article, we will be exploring the differences between exterior and interior shutters so that you can make the best decision for your home. 

Exterior Shutters For a Colorful Accent 

Exterior shutters are placed on the outside of the home, while interior shutters are placed on the inside windows. Exterior shutters do not provide the same functionality as interior shutters. Exterior shutters are installed primarily for aesthetic purposes, as they can provide a unique texture or pop of color to the outside of your living space. 

Protecting Your Home With Exterior Shutters

Exterior shutters can also provide an extra layer of protection for your window frames. They add another layer of defense in the case of storms or harsh winds. If you have older windows and want the edges to be protected, installing exterior shutters can act as a solution. 

Interior Shutters For Light Control 

If you are interested in having light control in your home, plantation shutters are a great investment. This is especially true if you have older furniture or items that are sun-sensitive! Plantation shutters allow you to control the exact amount of light that enters the room, perfect for homeowners with children who need to take naps or want to enjoy a mid-day movie. 

Privacy and Interior Shutters 

Interior shutters also provide a great layer of privacy. If you have young children or live on a small plot of land with other homes close by, interior plantation shutters can give you complete privacy that can’t be achieved with curtains alone. Not only that, but plantation shutters can be painted and re-painted to match your changing home decor and style, making them a great long-term investment. 

Temperature Control and Plantation Shutters 

If you live in a cold climate and spend your days cranking up the heat, plantation shutters are a fantastic way to help insulate your home. Listening to your home is extremely expensive, especially if you live in a place that is cold long-term. Having plantation shutters on your windows provides an extra layer of protection between you and the outside temperatures. This is a great solution for older homes or bedrooms that you want to keep extra toasty! 

We hope this article helps you decide if exterior or interior plantation shutters are the right move for your home. If you want to enjoy the benefits of interior plantation shutters, Shenandoah Shutters has you covered. Contact us today for an in-home consultation with one of our sales reps today, or visit our showroom to see everything we offer. We are so excited to work with you!

What Kinds of Wood Work Best For Plantation Shutters?

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Plantation shutters can add a compelling architectural detail to your home, allowing you to have greater control of the natural light in each room and provide better insulation from the outdoor temperatures. There are a few things to consider when installing plantation shutters, though, including the size and shape of your windows and your current interior décor.

Finding the best materials for your plantation shutters is another important consideration. Not every kind of wood is suited to smoothly operating lovely plantation shutters. At Shenandoah Shutters, we take pride in only using the best materials for our handcrafted plantation shutters. Here’s an overview of the different kinds of wood used for plantation shutters.

Basswood

Basswood is one of the most common types of wood we use at Shenandoah Shutters, as it’s lightweight yet durable and has a high degree of moisture resistance. Those qualities mean that your shutters can stand up against condensation and the elements for many years. Plus, basswood is ideal for custom-stained shutters, since it has a nearly uniform color and thus provides a neutral base.

Stained plantation shutters allow you to customize the look for each room, matching your existing trim or hardwood flooring, or providing a contrasting color for added visual interest. We like to top our stained basswood shutters with a silken lacquer finish, which protects the material and adds a touch of elegance.

Basswood trees can be found in several parts of the country. They’re a subspecies of the American Basswood tree family. It’s a fast-growing species and, as such, is considered a sustainable material. When you opt for basswood plantation shutters from Shenandoah Shutters, you know that you’re choosing environmentally friendly materials.

Yellow Poplar

Yellow poplar shares basswood’s qualities: lightweight, durable, and moisture resistant. However, unlike basswood, yellow poplar isn’t a uniform color but rather a blend of shades of yellow and white, and even sometimes a little bit of green. Yellow poplar works better from cream or ivory-colored plantation shutters instead of stained ones. It’s beautiful in homes where most of the trim is lighter, or for people who like a farmhouse aesthetic or shabby chic décor.

Yellow poplar is part of the magnolia tree family and is found in many different regions of the eastern part of the US. It’s a fairly common tree, although not as fast-growing as basswood. It’s not considered a renewable resource.

Hardwood Trees

Many of our clients at Shenandoah Shutters ask about certain kinds of hardwood for their plantation shutters, looking to match the material of a hardwood floor, cabinetry, or furniture. We do create custom hardwood shutters out of hardwood like mahogany, cherry, walnut, and oak, and many of our clients love the richness and authenticity of these woods as a window covering.

However, hardwood is heavier than yellow poplar and basswood, which means that the installation of your plantation shutters will be more extensive. The natural variations in the color of these woods may impact the final appearance of the stain that you choose, too.

We’re very happy to accommodate you if you wish to have hardwood plantation shutters. The craftsmen in our Richmond plant can create lovely shutters from oak, cherry, walnut, and mahogany.

Is It Harder to Maintain Plantation Shutters Made from Certain Kinds of Wood?

Custom-made plantation shutters are designed to last a long time and, with proper care, can stay beautiful and functional for decades. The silken lacquer finish that we apply to many of our shutters will protect the wood from moisture and warping. Regardless of which kind of wood you choose for your plantation shutters, avoid using water or harsh chemicals to clean them. Instead, simply wipe them weekly with a soft cloth, duster, or appropriate vacuum attachment.

Shenandoah Shutters Creates Beautiful Custom-Made Plantation Shutters

At Shenandoah Shutters, we focus on doing one thing incredibly well – creating lovely, custom-made plantation shutters. We make each shutter unique to the size and shape of your window, from large picture windows to unusually shaped windows, like half-moons or triangles. We specialize in plantation shutters and use only the finest quality of basswood, yellow poplar, and hardwood to make these window coverings.

We also offer our patented Softedge design, which conceals the hinges of the shutters and creates a more even, uniform appearance. Or, choose the traditional plantation shutter style, covering either the entire window or a café style shutter to cover just the bottom half of a window.

Whatever design you envision, the team at Shenandoah Shutters can make it a reality. We handcraft our shutters at our Richmond plant. Give us a call today to discuss your project and view our showroom, or contact us online.

Plantation Shutters vs. Blinds

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Are you embarking on a new home improvement project? If so, there are lots of options to explore when it comes to making the best investment possible for your window treatments. In this article, we will compare two of the most popular options — plantation shutters and blinds —  while advising you on how to make the best choice for your home. 

Benefits of Plantation Shutters 

Plantation shutters offer a classic blend of functionality and elegance to any home window treatment. Our plantation shutters are hand-made and crafted from solid wood that can be customized in style and color to best suit your design needs. Plantation shutters make it easy to control light, privacy, and airflow into your home and are perfect for anyone who wants more autonomy over the function of their windows.

The traditional shutter is most common, often designed to be full-length or single hung, this shutter includes one set of panels that goes from the top to the bottom of a window. Shenandoah Shutters offers custom home installation and creation to provide privacy and protect the furnishings in your home from harmful direct sunlight, while still allowing natural light to pour through. Plantation shutters add uniqueness to any space and are built to last, making them a great long-term investment choice. 

How Blinds Work

Blinds are another common solution used to help with privacy and light control in a home. Usually, blinds are operated by pulling a rod or string that allows you to open and close the panels, depending on your needs. Blinds are placed directly over the window and are a common choice for bathrooms or kitchens, where moisture-resistant window coverings are essential. However, blinds do not provide the blackout effect that plantation shutters do, especially when installed in a bedroom.

The Difference Between Plantations Shutters and Blinds 

There are a few key differences to note when comparing plantation shutters and blinds. The primary difference between the two is the way in which they are built to the window as a treatment. Typically, plantation shutters are built into the window frame itself, while blinds are installed inside or above the window. Plantation shutters also lack the long cords that often come with blinds, which make them safer for a home with children. Since blinds are quite a bit cheaper than plantation shutters, homeowners are more likely to replace blinds on a more frequent basis. 

How To Choose the Best Option for Your Home 

As we mentioned above, there are pros and cons to each! When comparing the two, it’s best to examine the long-term benefits when it comes to your investment. Usually, blinds only last for about 4-5 years after installation. They do however have a lower price tag compared to shutters, due to the lower-quality materials and temporary installation style. Shutters can last 25 years or more with proper care and maintenance.

Many homeowners choose shutters over blinds for heat retention reasons, too. Shutters are more energy-efficient than blinds since they are built to keep heat in and ensure the cold temperatures stay out of your home. This will result in a cost reduction of your energy bill since you won’t need to crank up the heat as often due to lack of insulation. 

Do you think plantation shutters are the right call for your home? Contact Shenandoah Shutters today to learn more about our shutters or to order some of your own!

Why Plantation Shutters Are a Great Investment For Your Home

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At Shenandoah Shutters, we get a lot of different questions about our custom plantation shutters, but one of the most common ones is, “Are custom plantation shutters a good investment to improve home value?” Well, we say “Yes!” and we’re going to tell you all the reasons why.

Plantation shutters have a precise, custom fit, sleek aesthetics, and the best insulation for window coverings. If you’re planning to sell your home, bespoke window treatments are a great value-added perk for buyers.

Benefits of Installing Custom Shutters

Custom plantation shutters are a long-term solution for window covering, lasting much longer than drapes or other types of blinds. Installed correctly, these fitted shutters reduce your energy bills and give you greater control over the lighting in your home. While the initial cost of custom shutters is more than hanging plastic blinds or fabric curtains, the practicality, durability, and longevity of shutters will ensure that they pay for themselves over time.

There are several key benefits of installing custom window shutters in your Virginia home or office.

Privacy

Your home is your castle, and ensuring that you have privacy is essential. While all window coverings provide privacy to one degree or another, the precise fit and closure of plantation shutters leave no doubt that others cannot see inside your home or office. You can adjust the shutters to allow more or less light inside and completely cover the window when you wish privacy.

Increases Your Home’s Value

Custom plantation shutters add value to your home, which improves your appraisal value and makes the house more attractive to buyers. Knowing that they won’t have to invest in window coverings is a perk for buyers. Plantation shutters add a clean, sleek appearance and, when coordinated with the interior design of the house, make each room look complete and comfortable.

Custom shutters made from the premium materials that Shenandoah Shutters uses are far more durable and long-lasting than other types of window coverings. The superior craftsmanship of these window coverings is a valuable architectural detail that increases value in your house.

Tailor-Made For Each Window

Custom shutters are created to fit each individual window and designed for your preferences, from color to finish. Because each window in your home is custom measured for the shutters, there are no gaps that allow light or drafts, unlike curtains or traditional blinds. Plantation shutters can even be fitted to unusually shaped windows, such as semi-circle or fan, or can be fitted in older homes, where the window sizes may not be uniform throughout the house.

Lower Energy Bills

The precision fit of plantation shutters, including measured window sweeps, means that the fit is as close as possible. When closed, the shutters block out glare and direct sunlight, which can make your home uncomfortably hot during a Virginia summer. This reduces your cooling bills and keeps your home at a more consistent temperature.

It’s this exact precision fit that makes plantation shutters more energy efficient in the winter, too. Because they completely cover the glass, shutters reduce drafts from chilly wintertime air and cold air from coming into your home. It prevents warm air from the furnace from escaping through the windows, which keeps your home warmer.

Consistent temperature control means that it will cost you less to heat or cool your home. In fact, plantation shutters may help insulate your home almost 70% better than ordinary window coverings, and this savings on utility bills adds up over time.

Durable and Long-Lasting

Not only are plantation shutters efficient, they’re also durable and easy to maintain. Shenandoah Shutters uses only the highest quality wood, usually basswood and poplar, which accept many kinds of stains and paints. Natural wood, as opposed to presswood, lasts longer and is less likely to chip or flake away. We also seal the ends of the shutters, which reduces the chances that the wood will warp.

Do Custom Shutters Add Home Value?

Yes! The architectural detail makes your home look nicer, and the longevity of plantation shutters indicates that you’ve made a tangible investment in your home’s finishes. The money you’ll save each year on energy costs also improves your home’s value. Privacy and a sophisticated appearance make each room look nicer for buyers, too.

Your Virginia home deserves a personalized touch, and the design team at Shenandoah Shutters is here to help. Our free consultation services ensure that your custom window coverings are made to fit your home and your taste. We offer custom-crafted shutters made in our Richmond woodshop and use only the highest quality wood.

Book Your Appointment Today!

Beautiful, easy to clean, and long-lasting plantation shutters are an attractive architectural investment in your home. They elevate the appearance of every room in the house and give you the benefit of privacy and better insulation. Whatever style of plantation shutter you desire, including our patented Softedge shutters, we can create them. 

We offer everything you need to make a sound investment in your home and increase its resale value. Give us a call today for a personalized consultation, or browse our gallery of completed projects on Facebook to see examples of our work!