Buying Guide
After more than three decades of installing plantation shutters in Richmond-area homes, we have seen the same mistakes come up repeatedly. Here are the most common ones — and how to avoid them.
This is the single most common source of problems. Window openings are rarely perfectly square, and the measurements that matter — the exact inside dimensions at multiple points, the depth of the window well, the profile of the casing, the position of the hardware — require experience to capture accurately. A measurement error of even 1/8 inch can mean a panel that does not close properly or a frame that does not sit flush. Always have a professional measure. At Shenandoah, our measuring consultation is free.
The three standard louver sizes — 2.5 inch, 3.5 inch, and 4.5 inch — look very different in a room. Smaller louvers have a more traditional, detailed appearance. Larger louvers have a cleaner, more contemporary look and provide a better view when open. The right size depends on the window dimensions, the ceiling height, and the style of the room. Ask to see samples in your actual space before deciding.
Composite and vinyl shutters are marketed as a lower-cost alternative to hardwood. They are cheaper upfront, but they are heavier (which stresses hinges), less dimensionally stable (more prone to warping in Virginia's humid summers), and do not accept paint touch-ups well when they chip or scratch. Over a 20-year horizon, a hardwood shutter that lasts indefinitely is less expensive than a composite shutter that needs to be replaced.
Finish colors look different on a screen than they do in your home. The difference between a warm white and a cool white is subtle in a photograph and obvious in person, especially when held against your existing trim. Always see physical finish samples in your actual room before placing an order. We bring samples to every in-home consultation for exactly this reason.
The frame is what attaches the shutter to the window, and the wrong frame specification causes more problems than any other single factor. An inside-mount frame in a window well that is too shallow will not allow the panels to open fully. A face-mount frame that is too narrow will not cover the gap between the shutter and the wall. These details are invisible in a showroom but obvious in your home. A professional measurer accounts for all of them before the order is placed.
National shutter retailers typically import their products from overseas factories and use subcontracted installers. This means longer lead times, less control over quality, and no one accountable if something goes wrong after installation. A local manufacturer like Shenandoah builds your shutters in the same city where we install them. If there is ever an issue, we come back and fix it — because we are still here.
For more information, contact our team or call (804) 355-9300. We offer free in-home consultations across Virginia, Maryland, and Washington DC.
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Shenandoah Shutters builds custom hardwood plantation shutters in Richmond, VA and installs them across Virginia, Maryland, and Washington DC.