If you’re lucky enough to live by the sea, then you know firsthand the joy of having natural, beach sunlight shine into your home. With summer fast approaching, many homeowners are upgrading their beach houses, especially with continued social distancing measures keeping more people at home. Are you considering installing plantation shutters on your beach house? Here’s what you need to know:
Plantation Shutters Have a Tropical History
For hundreds of years, plantation shutters have been the favorite of seaside communities and beach towns. This is because plantation shutters are able to block the immediate heat of the sun without sacrificing the cool, light breezes that we associate with summer time. In fact, plantation shutters are actually energy-efficient in that they naturally keep homes cooler in the summer months, and warmer in the winter months. This can help you save money on your energy bills.
Plantation Shutters Provide Views and Privacy
If you drive through communities like Virginia Beach, for example, you’ll quickly notice the popularity of plantation shutters. Of course, homeowners aren’t just benefiting from a more energy-efficient window treatment. They’re also appreciating the unique ability of plantation shutters to provide privacy while still blocking any prying eyes from seeing inside of the home.
The design of plantation shutters allows you to tilt the louvers (horizontal slats) of your plantation shutters for added privacy while still enjoying your beachside views.
With plantation shutters, you have unprecedented control over the sunlight that filters in and out of your home. This means that you can also create amazing mood lighting, which is ideal for a seaside retreat. You don’t have to worry about too much or too little sunlight, a common problem with dramatic features, like blackout curtains, or other window treatments, such as blinds.
Plantation Shutters Are Safer for Families
Inviting the whole family over for beach house fun is a summertime tradition. Many families prefer plantation shutters in their children’s bedrooms and playrooms, because plantation shutters do not have dangling cords or materials that could pose a hazard to a small, curious child. This is also a benefit for plantation shutters throughout the home, as you don’t have to worry about your child playing with cords on living room blinds or pulling down curtains.
Plantation Shutters Are Stylish for Beach Houses
Style is an essential part of beach home ownership. Natural wood is a favorite choice for coastal home furnishings, so hardwood plantation shutters are a perfect match. You could choose to stain the wood or select a color that suits your home. Lighter colors, like whites, off-whites, and shades of ocean colors, are common choices for beach homes.
Plantation shutters are versatile in that they also pair well with any decor. You can change up your home design scheme anytime you’d like without worrying that the new theme will clash with your plantation shutters. If you are a fan of other window treatments, like curtains, you can also choose to hang them alongside your plantation shutters for a bold room statement. You can then switch out the curtains as desired without worrying about how the curtains will look against the plantation shutters.
Plantation Shutter Choices for Beach Homes
When it comes to choosing the style of your plantation shutters, you have many options. At Shenandoah Shutters, our customers can choose preferred designs for the tilt rod and louvers.
The tilt rod is the tool on the plantation shutters that lets you control louver movement. This is what allows you to open, tilt, and close your plantation shutters. The look of your tilt rod is based on personal preference. You could select a single tilt rod, which attaches all of the louvers from the top of the shutter panel to the bottom, or you might prefer a divider rail to control the upper and lower sets of the louvers separately. Other tilt rod options include a split tilt rod or even a hidden rod for a more modern plantation shutter look.
The louvers themselves are available in 2.5”, 3.5”, and 4.5” sizes. If you’d like a larger space between each louver when your shutters are open, then you might prefer a larger louver size.
You can even choose the shape of your louvers.Some people prefer a flat louver shape, while others prefer a contoured louver shape. Contoured louvers are designed in a way that resembles an airplane, with a wide middle and a tapered front and back. Your design consultant can help you decide which plantation shutter looks are right for your beach house.
Contemporary or Traditional Plantation Shutter Styles for Beach Houses
At Shenandoah Shutters, we even have another contemporary option, our patented Softedge design. With the Softedge, the panel is blended into your moulding, giving your window a particularly discrete, cohesive appearance that is similar to the look of European-style cabinetry. The Softedge is loved for all window types, but it is an especially wonderful solution for tilt-ins and casements.
Shenandoah Shutters for Your Beach House
Shenandoah Shutters is located in Richmond, Virginia. We’ve been serving Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C for more than 30 years. Many of the towns and cities found within our service areas are located on or near the beach.
Shenandoah Shutters handcrafts custom made, hardwood plantation shutters for windows of any size or shape. We can even install plantation shutters on French doors, sliding glass doors, sidelights, and unique windows, such as triangular panels or sunbursts. We have a variety of options to avoid boxy frames or hanging strips, and to maintain the functionality of tilt-in and casement style windows. In the past, we’ve even used magnets on certain difficult installations!
Schedule an Appointment with Shenandoah Shutters
Plantation shutters are a beautiful, worthwhile investment for your home, whether it’s by the sea or landlocked. Contact Shenandoah Shutters online today or call 1-800-733-1549 for more information on plantation shutters for your home.
We’ve remained open throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and continue to provide services safely. Our design team will help you select and install the perfect plantation shutters for your windows.
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CALL US: 1-800-733-1549