What Kind of Plantation Shutters are Best for Me

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You decided to upgrade your current window coverings to plantation shutters, but don’t know which style is best for your home? Shutters offer the flexibility of natural light and privacy, and at Shenandoah Shutters, we offer an array of styles that will suit your home along with customization options to suit your needs. In this blog post, we will discuss the different styles so you can learn more about them.

Traditional

Considered the “grandfather” of plantation shutters, traditional or full-height shutters have been around for hundreds of years, believed to have originated in Ancient Greece to aid in controlling the elements. This style is what usually comes to mind when people are considering a shutter purchase. Traditional shutters involve one set of panels that go from the bottom to the top of a window, allowing you to complete coverage and control over the amount of sunlight and privacy in a room. This style is ideal for bedrooms and living spaces, where you have the ability to adjust the shutters to your preference throughout the day.

We offer multiple tilt rod options, which is a mechanism that controls the movement of the louvers. Traditionally tilt rods are placed in the center of the panel for simultaneous movement of each louver. We do offer divider rails which creates a separation to the upper and lower sets of louvers to allow independent movement as well as split tilt rods for the same independent control as the divider rail without the included “rail” that separates the tiers. If you want a continuous, contemporary look, plantation shutters with hidden tilt rods are also available.

Café Style Shutters

Café shutters only cover the lower portion of the window, leaving the top of the window exposed for sunlight to enter. This style allows you to still have that classic aesthetic that plantation shutters offer to home décor without restricting the entirety of your window – ideal for kitchens and home offices when you want some privacy but still plenty of natural light. You can select where the top portion of these shutters ends, whether at a window pan for a natural appearance or to the desired height of your choice. We offer a variety of options for café style including tilt rod, louver size and shape, and finishes so you can customize this design for each room in your home.

Specialty Plantation Shutters

At Shenandoah Shutters, we have an expert design team on staff to create shutters that will fit any unique window. Windows are the focal point of many rooms and we pride ourselves in meeting any specialty installations you might need for today’s ever-changing window styles. We offer innovative installation design that uses magnets instead of traditional hinging so whether it is fabric window treatments, slant-top windows, or a specific type of hardwood – our staff will design and craft plantation shutters that enhance the interior of your home for flexibility and privacy.

Our patented Softedge™ shutters offer a beautiful sculptured edge that blends the shutters into your window molding to create a seamless and softened finish. Give us a call today at 1-800-733-1549 to learn more or come by our workshop to speak to one of our sales consultants! 

5 Home Styles That Can Benefit From Plantation Shutters

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Plantation shutters can be beautiful on any home. They come in a variety of styles that can suit both modern and classic home styles. But if you’re still searching for inspiration or trying to decide if plantation shutters are right for you, consider these home styles that benefit from plantation shutters.

Southern-Style Homes

Plantation shutters are a fantastic way to enhance your southern-style home. Country houses helped the plantation shutter gain fame and popularity, as they add a touch of charm to both interior windows and on the exterior of your home. Southern-style embraces a balance of antique decor with modern appliances and art. Adding wooden plantation shutters can help the flow of your southern home, as the rustic feel will match other decor pieces on your floor plan layout. 

Don’t be afraid to also allow plantation shutters to connect the way from the exterior to the interior of your home! Southern houses are known for having outdoor living spaces for entertaining and hosting guests. Plantation shutters can allow you to open the inside of your home to your outdoor living space so everyone feels included when visiting. 

Vacation or Weekend Homes

If you are lucky enough to own a vacation or weekend home, you know how important it is to protect this space and use it as an oasis getaway. Adding plantation shutters can help your home away from home feel complete! If you are designing your second home in a unique and beachy way, plantation shutters can allow you to add a pop of color to make your space anything but boring. Feel free to paint your plantation shutters with a unique shade of paint that can add some contrast to your vacation house. Stop out of your comfort zone and try a deep red or pastel blue!  

Small Spaces in Need of Privacy 

Plantation shutters are a great way to add to your small space in need of privacy. If you live in a cottage or small home, plantation shutters can allow you to shield yourself from the outside world, or open up to it! The choice is yours. Small spaces are often in need of a good airing out, so opening your plantation shutters just enough to allow a cool breeze in without sacrificing the shade is a great feature. When you have company over or can spot neighbors in their homes after dark, closing the shutters can allow for an extra layer of secure privacy. 

Apartments In Crowded Cities 

Just because you live in an apartment doesn’t mean you can’t take advantage of the wonderful features offered by plantation shutters. If you are renovating your small city space, consider adding plantation shutters for light control, privacy, and to cut down on heating costs. Plantation shutters will allow complete privacy, something that can’t be provided with curtains alone. This way, your neighbors won’t be able to spot you after hours. In the cold temperatures, heating your apartment can get expensive. Plantation shutters help secure the heat inside your apartment and allow you to dodge rising oil prices. 

Family Homes 

Family homes are another style that can benefit from the addition of plantation shutters. Since they are so easy to clean and manage, having children around them will be stress-free. Unlike curtains that can wrinkle and stain, plantation shutters are durable and will only require a fresh coat of paint when you want to change up your interior decor or give the space a quick refresh. When caring for small children, having privacy in your space is crucial. Plantation shutters will allow you to let the light shine on your little ones when they are playing, while adding privacy at bedtime when shut. 

We hope this article helps you discover new ways to accentuate the style of your home with plantation shutters. If you are looking to renovate your living space, contact Shenandoah Shutters today!

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!

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.

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!

The 5 Benefits of Plantation Shutters

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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.