Have you ever considered the possibility that the unsung hero of the plantation shutter's beauty and success is the simple hinge.  This small piece of metal allows for your plantation shutter to have "swing" and as such design gravitas.  Think about it - without hinges, plantation shutters would be stationary panels screwed into windows with nothing but a tilt feature.  Much of your shutters charm and function would be lost, if not for the forgotten "hinge"

Additionally, hinges come in a variety of styles which are coordinated to match your shutter's color.  For those with a specific design idea, shutter hinges can be matched with other items in your house, or to simply make a subtle color statement against your shutter's color.  You can even order stainless steel hinges, if your design can handle it.

The picture below will give you a taste of the shutter hinge colors and options available in the industry. By coupling these hinge color choices with your shutter's paint or stain color, hopefully you can imagine how a simple hinge component can become a "statement."

Of course, we would love to help you with your plantation shutter project.  Also, check out our online shutter cost calculator for a rough idea of what new shutters might cost. 

With the rise of private charter schools and "boutique" colleges and universities, the understood need for well designed facilities which encourage the best from students is also on the rise.  As part of that design decision, schools must consider the best window treatment for their educational design plan.

Interestingly, while the cost of plantation shutters has moderated when compared with 15 years ago, the functionality and flexibility has increased.  This is thanks largely to the surging technology of the poly shutter. Poly shutters offer educational institutions the option to utilize shutters in their design while also ensuring a safe, environmentally friendly, and long lasting aesthetic.

Consider this - a poly shutters synthetic composition means that they are very durable, have an inherently high R-value and are extremely energy efficient. Poly shutters are also moisture resistant and flame retardant, perfect for use in humid or warm environments.

A few poly shutter manufacturers are GREENGUARD® Indoor Air Quality and Children & Schools Certified. This means that their poly shutter has passed an extensive series of tests to ensure that it meets stringent third-party standards on chemical emissions based on established health standards.

So, the next time you get ready to build a new school facility, or renovate that older building, please kindly put some serious consideration into including poly shutters for your windows.  The people that work and study in the space will thank you.

Of course, we would love to help you with your school's plantation shutter project.  Also, check out our online shutter cost calculator for a rough idea of what new shutters might cost. 

Recently, we provided several basswood shutters for a client in Chandler Arizona.  This project was designed with a bright white basswood shutter with a 3.5" louver.  However, one window in the house required a different approach.

The master bathroom had an 11" tall window.  Our manufacturer can not make a shutter with 3.5" louvers in an 11" tall window because the shutter would only have one louver.  As such, the product would not work properly nor would it look very nice.  Despite this constraint, the window still required some sort of covering as the sun would stream through the frosted glass and fall directly onto this gentleman's face while he attempted to sleep. Additionally, this window produced a great deal of heat in the bathroom.

Our solution was rather simple.  We changed the specs on this shutter to use a poly material to deal with the high moisture content of the bathroom and adjusted the louver size to 2.5".  This change did not affect the overall design as the other basswood shutters in the house with 3.5" louvers were not adjacent to this window.

The result was great light and heat control while maintaining the design elements and look of plantation shutters.  Also, sweet sleep returned as the master bed is now no longer victim to an uncontrolled stream of intense light.

Of course, we would love to help you with your plantation shutter project.  Also, check out our online shutter cost calculator for a rough idea of what new shutters might cost.

Above, please kindly enjoy some pictures from a recent project completed in Chandler Arizona.  This particular home had just received new windows which were approximately 70" wide with 17 1/2" glass sliders on each end which each slid toward the center when opened.  Even though we could have provided 2ea 35" panels, we decided that 4ea 17 1/2" panels that were 2ea bi-fold left and 2ea bi-fold right would be more functional.  

Here were the design considerations.  

The two left two right bi-fold option would allow easier total openness as the panels would neatly lay back against the wall creating an open effect to the backyard pool area.  This was a great decision as it allowed for viewing backyard pool parties from inside the house without obstruction.  Additionally, this window configuration matched the shutter panel configuration such that air flow and light control was maximized.  Great for afternoon television viewing. Finally, the double panel look created a cottage feel which matched the rest of the decor nicely.

Overall, a fun project with a very happy result.

Of course, we would love to help you with your plantation shutter project.  Also, check out our online shutter cost calculator for a rough idea of what new shutters might cost.