Did you know that there are quite a few variations available as it relates to dividing the louvers in your plantation shutter?  One option is to split the louver control with no divider rail.  This means that it is possible to open the top portion of the shutter while keeping the bottom portion closed.  This is a popular option for folks who need a little extra privacy, but want to play with the view and light in their space.

Another way to go is to add an actual rail at one or more locations in your shutter panel.  This creates a permanent divider that can be placed where ever is best for your design choices.  This feature is especially beautiful on larger windows with horizontal mullions.  We can match the divider rail to the window mullion and create a very custom look.

Some basic design rules we like to follow with plantation shutter divider rails - though in actuality you can break any rule you want - is to:

1. Match the window mullions.
2. Split the window in half - or as near as is possible.  This means design the panel so that you might have 8 louvers above the divider rail and 8 louvers below the divider rail.  If however, the window calls for an odd number of louvers, then it generally looks better to add the extra louver to the bottom portion.  So, for instance, do 8 louvers on the bottom and 7 louvers on the top.
3. Break the window into thirds.  This is for specific applications but can be quite stunning.  This means either a small section (1/3 of your window) is divided at the bottom portion, or else the small section (1/3 of your window) is divided at the top portion.  We don't run into this situation very often because it requires rather tall windows to pull off the look.  But when we do, it is really stunning and makes the project a ton of fun.

So, there you have it, a brief guide to help you think about what you might like and what generally works in the world of plantation shutter divider rails and split tilt options.

We would love to help you with your shutter project.  Also, check out our online shutter cost calculator for a rough idea of what new basswood or 100% PVC shutters might cost.

We at Latreia Blind and Shutters believe in openly sharing information that we believe people will find useful in making good consumer decisions regarding their window coverings.  We honestly don't have some drive to corner the market or become filthy rich from shutter sales.  We just want to help people, provide a good honest service, and watch to see if our business is blessed.

To that end, we recently came across some information that we thought our readers might find useful about plantation shutter types.  Plantation shutters have grown in popularity, and with that popularity different types of component parts have been used to build shutters. Most reputable dealers will offer 100% basswood shutters or solid PVC shutters.  These two types are the most durable and offer the best value for the money.

However, as the plantation shutter industry grew, so too did the competitive variations claiming better pricing with "technological" differences.  And so the industry experienced the rise of plantation shutters made with fiberboard and hollow PVC.

The hollow PVC shutter was designed to drive down prices and provide the look of a plantation shutter. However in humid conditions, problems began to pop up. Apparently the high moisture creates an effect whereby condensations can form inside the hollow portions of the shutter.  This creates the opportunity for mold growth.  It only takes a little moisture, a dark space and heat and your shutters innards become a petri dish of mold.  Obviously, a solid PVC shutter eliminates this issue.

The other issue occurs with the fiberboard shutter. If you have ever had a Formica kitchen and experienced it falling apart at the seams, you know first hand it was probably built out of fiberboard. Again, moisture can interact with fiberboard and can be a fiberboard shutters' worst enemy.

In the picture above you can see what happens to wood that is not properly treated.  Now, to be sure, this doesn't happen every time you buy a wood product.  But, is the couple dollars saved worth the risk?  You will hear from those who produce and sell these products that this is not an issue.  However, it has happened to some people and might happen to you.  The prudent course of action is to shop for a 100% basswood or a solid PVC shutter product.  They are the industry standard and can be found for a fair price.  But, no matter what you chose to purchase - please kindly be informed - and know about your shutter product so you don’t experience unexpected issues.

We would love to help you with your shutter project.  Also, check out our online shutter cost calculator for a rough idea of what new basswood or 100% PVC shutters might cost.

I'll bet you never considered this, but it is possible to update your shutters with your decor taste.  Because shutters will generally last as long as your house, it is not unusual for folks to grow weary of the same look.  People like to re-imagine their space, update a look, or simply try something new.  The problem becomes, "What to do with the old shutters."  They still look great and it seems a shame to tear them out and throw them away.  So, what to do?

Here's an option - repaint them.  The same great timeless features of your shutters will be preserved but with a totally different feel.  You could make them a super bright white.  Or maybe, a cool light blue, a matching gray, or for the super bold, even a yellow or purple.  Then, in a few years, when you tire of that look - paint them again.  Now, it's true that we don't make any money teaching you how to use your old shutters in a new way over and over again, but helping people enjoy their window coverings is more important to us - as lovers of great window covering design.

So, how is this accomplished:

Prep the Shutters - remove your shutters, be sure you label them so that you know what window and what side of the window they go to. This will ensure that your shutters are aligned correctly after you are finished painting. Also, be sure to note where the hardware goes on the shutters.

Sand the shutters with a fine grit sandpaper, so that the paint will properly stick to the shutter.  After you have them sanded, be sure to clean them so that they paint will be smooth and not have sand dust ruining the paint job.

Next, hang your shutters using temporary screws and string - so that the shutters can swing freely - and you can easily access the fronts and backs of the shutter

Now you are ready to paint - Be sure you follow all the proper safety guideline for painting - i.e. safety equipment, proper ventilation, etc.

First, apply a primer to your shutters, this helps the paint stay and last longer.  There are many different types of primer, so do some research.

And here is the technique - Start with the primer, open the louvers to a 45 degree angle and spray, and then a 45 degree angle in the opposite direction and spray again. Finally, you will want to open them fully and spray in one continuous vertical motion - Repeating this step for both sides, and the tilt rod.

Be sure to allow the primer to dry completely, and then apply the paint using the same instructions as above.  Make sure you give the paint ample time to dry before you hang your freshly painted shutters, you don’t want to ding them after all of that hard work.

This process can be repeated as many times as your color pallet changes.  Most people will never endeavor such a project, for good reason.  Others, will hire a professional painter or shutter restorer - yes, shutter restoration shops are around.  But, for those folks who enjoy this sort of challenge, there is no reason your shutters can't be enjoyed through the hues and tones of your color sensibilities.

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

When measuring windows for plantation shutters, here is the most important thing to remember - most windows are not perfectly square.  This means that widths and heights will vary when measured in various locations on the same window.  Because of this, you will need to take several measurements to ensure your shutter will function properly in your window.

If you are ordering shutters for similar sized windows, you must measure each window completely. Please don't measure one, get a size, look at the others and say, these are all the same size.  That could be a disaster.  You’d be amazed that what appears to be the same size window can vary fairly significantly from window to window.   Now, if you are getting rough measures for pricing, you can measure one to the nearest inch and then recognize that the same window repeats several times.  This is fine for pricing, but really dangerous for ordering.  Just as an FYI - we measure to the nearest 1/8".

Measuring for an Inside Mount or Z-Frame Shutter

First check for squareness by measuring the diagonals.  This means measure from the upper left corner to the lower right corner and vice-verse.  If the diagonal measurements are not identical, which they rarely are, then a Z-frame application is recommended for inside mounts. An L-frame, or unframed application, will result in uneven light gaps. If the diagonal measurements are out more than 3/8”, then maybe an outside mount is needed.  At this point, you should have a professional to your home for advise.

Additionally, you must be aware of your sill depth and any obstructions to the operation of your shutter louvers.  If you sill depth is less then 2 1/2" to an obstruction, then your shutter professional will need to advise you on clearance issues.  But, we will save the subject of depth clearance considerations for another blog.

In general, here is how we determine a shutter order size.  We measure the width in three places (top, middle,
bottom) and record the smallest measurement to 1/8”.  For windows with vertical mullions, we match the panel widths to each section of the window with or without t-posts. Next, we measure the height in three places (left, middle, right) and record the smallest measurement to 1/8”.  That is all there is - nothing to mystical - it's the little details around that measure that can bite you.  See our other blogs for education on those issues.

Measuring for an Outside Mount Shutter

To measure for an outside mount shutter, we determine the location where the frame will be mounted. We then note or mark the inside location of each outside mount frame (1) on top of existing trim or outside of existing trim on windows with trim or, (2) to edge of window opening on windows without trim.   Then, we measure the width in three places (top, middle, bottom) and record the largest measurement. Then we add to that measure for the width of the frame and, as such, have an accurate measure of our final product - outside frame to outside frame.  We then repeat the process for our height and we now have accurate sizes for your custom made plantation shutter.

Please note, some windows have nuances that require additional considerations, like protrusions, panel swing, installation restrictions, etc - but honestly, these are rare.  In Arizona, 95% of the time, we are dealing with a standard dry-walled window frame with about a 3" sill depth.  For these windows, the semi inside mount Z frame is recommended and is easy to measure by following the rules for measuring inside mounts.

We would love to help you choose the proper shutter size and mount for your application.  Also, check out our online shutter cost calculator for a rough idea of what your project might cost.