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What Should You Look For In Your Plantation Shutter?

3/30/2015

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We believe that the best value for the money for plantation shutters is found by choosing brands that follow the guidelines outlined in this article. 

If you are considering purchasing a vinyl or poly shutter, then look for a product that has an aluminum core.  This feature can be found for a reasonable price from many retailers while adding tremendous support for large openings.
  For poly finishes, consider going with a baked on water borne paint.  This ensures the shutter finish will never warp, crack, chip, or peel.  Poly shutters are moisture and UV resistant, making them impervious to the elements.  As such, poly shutters eliminate the worry about the damaging effects of humidity, heat, or the sun.  Again, the aluminum core provides unprecedented strength and durability that allows the panels to be safely fabricated at up to 36” wide for an unparalleled viewing area.

If you are considering a wood shutter then stick with premium basswood.  A good basswood shutter is hand built utilizing a unique process that combines craftsmanship with cutting edge technology - to offer precision design and consistent quality control.  The finish should be either stained or painted with a high tech UV prime.  If desiring a natural or stain grade shutter look, then basswood is the absolutely best option.  The natural beauty of the wood comes through and creates a unique look.

For either type of shutter, look for a system that is easy to tilt and that uses self-tensioned louver pins, which eliminate the need for tension screws.  Also, the best hinge system is basically the simple removable pin - two part hinge.  This makes it easy for you to remove a panel - if the necessity ever arises.

So, in summation look for:
  • Poly shutters that are Moisture Resistant, Up to 36” Wide Panels with an Aluminum Co-Extruded Component Rigid Structure, a Durable Surface and available in specialty shapes.
  • Wood shutters that are 100% basswood, use a combination of craftsmanship and high tech, and have a UV prime process when painted.

In our opinion, should you follow these few simple guidelines, you shutter choices will be beautiful, last, and provide you the greatest value for your dollar.  In all this technical talk, don't lose site of the fact that beautiful shutters will add elegance to any room, because shutters are the perfect combination of function, durability, and style. 

We would love to work with you on your next shutter project.  Also, be sure to use our online shutter cost calculator to help approximate the cost of your project.
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What the Heck is a Rake Shutter

3/23/2015

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Simply stated a rake shutter is a shutter that has a straight angled top. These type of shutters are manufactured with an angled top rail to conform with the opening.  This is a specialty application, and while several other products offer this type of specialty shape - the rake shutter is uniquely beautiful and functional for this type of opening.

Practically speaking, the rake shutter is handled much the way an arched top shutter is measured, manufactured and installed.  The primary difference is that the rake shutter has a straight angled side, while the arched shutter has a curved side.

Generally speaking, these windows tend to be architectural features that are high above the floor and are often left uncovered as a source of beauty and light.  However, we do see instances where the rake shaped window faces east, south or west, such that the light and heat from the window causes functional living issues.  If this is the case in your house, then you should consider a rake shutter to compliment the same standard shutters in the same space.  We do not think you will be disappointed with the look or functionality they bring to your space.

We would love to work with you on your rake shutter project.  Also, for a rough idea of what your project might cost - check out our online shutter cost estimator.
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Plantation Shutters for Corner Windows

3/17/2015

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Here is an application for plantation shutters that most people do not even know exists - Corner Windows - There are two ways to install shutters on corner windows.

Option 1 -
The frames will be miter cut in our factory so that the corners of the two will meet.

Option 2 - Utilize a Z-frame with a filler strip.  The manufacturer takes a deduction for the frame and provides a filler strip to support the back of the frame.  This is the most popular application and utilizes our large Z frame.

Either of these options opens the possibility of bringing the beauty of shutters to windows that meet in a corner.  We would love to work with you on your plantation shutter project.  Also, for a quick cost estimate, please check out our online shutter cost calculator.
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Cafe Style Shutters - A Unique Alternative

3/11/2015

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A Café Style shutter is a standard panel configuration in which a window opening has shutters on the bottom half, and the top half is left open. The café style shutter can have either an (1) inverted three-sided frame (top will have a smooth finish) or a (2) four-sided frame with the top section open.

Window coverings are a great way to give you optimal levels of privacy. However, sometimes you might want a solution that provides an unobstructed view on the top of your window with coverage on the bottom. That’s where café shutters come in. Café shutters, also known as half-height shutters, are a great option if you want to enjoy the incoming sunlight while still having privacy in your home. They offer amazing benefits and can be used on a variety of window orientations.

Café shutters offer many unique benefits:
  • Specifically designed to cover the bottom portion of your windows, café shutters provide an open view from the top, while maintaining privacy on the bottom.
  • Cafe shutters are easy to clean and maintain.
  • Café shutters are applied to the bottom portion of your window, so that they can be combined with other window coverings or design options to dress up the upper portion of the window.
  • They beautifully block out unwanted eye level views such as parking lots, street signs, and the view of pedestrians while leaving the top open to light and the beauty of the outdoors.
Café shutters offer a unique option in privacy and light control, and are available in wood and poly options.

We would love to work with you on your cafe shutter project.  Also for an estimate of what your shutter project might cost check out our online shutter cost calculator.
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Consider a By-Pass Track System for your Sliding Door

3/2/2015

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When two or more shutter panels on an overhead track slide past each other, it is called a by-pass track system.  Two single tracks are required so that the panels can slide past each other.  When sliding past another panel, the louvers must be closed.  However, companies are now experimenting with larger systems that allow panels to pass without the louvers being closed.  The downside of this is the size of the box frame that must be attached around your door to accommodate that feature.  You don't want your doorway to feel like a tunnel - do you?

But all kidding aside, let us share some of the specifications associated with a by-pass shutter.  If the panel width will exceed 38", two panels will be hinged together on the back with butt hinges and move as one piece.  Rabbeted stiles are used where the two panels meet in a center opening unit.  The top fascia is 4.5 inches.  The rollers will hold up to 125 lbs per roller.  The header and side legs are made out of 1" rail material.  A 5/8" floor clearance is also provided and bottom runners can be included on all 2-way panels.  These bottom runners are meant to keep the panels apart so that the tilt rods do not interfere with the movement of the panels, as well as keep the panels together.

We share this with you by way of informing you that a by-pass shutter track system for sliding doors is a significant piece of furniture for your window.  In fact, we have provided shutter track systems for sliders that extend the length of the house.  By using many tracks, T-Post supports and various panel configurations, we can create some amazing custom applications for a plantation shutter look across sliders of all sizes.

We would love to help you with your shutter project.  Also, for your convenience, we provide an online cost estimator, so you can have a rough idea as to the budget for your project.  If you would like an estimate for a by-pass track system, please contact us as we will need to gather some information about your project that requires human interaction.

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    Author

    Charlie Wakefield - I have worked in the window covering industry for over 15 years and I have the good fortune of working with some of the very best around.  I hope you enjoy our little shutter tales.

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