Wow, what a fun project.  These pictures are from our camera phone taken in the middle of the afternoon, so not the most ideal photography setting.  But, they should give you an idea of the end result.

This property is a gorgeous single story home which backs to one of the many lakes in the Ocotillo community of Chandler, Arizona.  This project utilized a large Z-frame in a bright white to match the large bright white molding throughout the house.  Because of the narrow sill depth, we opted for a 3.5 inch louver and the customer preferred the look of a standard tilt bar.

The front windows, side windows and master bedroom windows are covered with shutters.  The back of the house will be done later with a product that optimizes their lake view.

It is a distinct pleasure to provide a beautiful wood product in such a nice house.  The house compliments the shutters and the shutters compliment the house.

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.

The hotel industry is constantly looking for ways to make their “stay experience” differentiated from every other stay option.  Of course, the grand strategies of business generally look at cost, difference or niche.  And, for the hotel industry their ambiance and décor is truly center stage.  Decor makes a real difference as it relates to the experience – defining the hotel’s differentiator and niche.

So, why don’t more hotels embrace plantation shutters over the time honored fabric drapery?  The paradigm seems to be stuck in total light control.  Because, while plantation shutters are very room darkening - they do have slight light leakage.  So, the hotel chains have gone to the “least common denominator” for guest accommodation.

However, while the big operations stick with the standard big, heavy, dusty, dark drapes, the smaller chains and niche boutique operations can create a “stay experience” that is desired by customers who want a night or two immersed in an ambiance, feel and décor unique to a particular hotel.  Additionally, social media and a new generation of experience seekers will drive this phenomena.

This is where plantation shutters come to the fore.  Plantation shutters offer the hotel operator with vision - a fire retardant, anti-bacterial, green-friendly poly shutter with a privacy guard option.

Personally, I would be willing to spend a few dollars more to “experience” an ambiance on my vacation that is different from the standard model.  A hotel with plantation shutters and the room décor to match would be of great interest.  Why?  Because, plantation shutters are phenomenally beautiful.

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.  Additionally, please use this contact form if you are a hotel operator that would like a quote on plantation shutters for your hotel.  Even though we are based in Arizona, we can help with your project anywhere in the United States.  We might even be able to offer you a quality referral in select other locations around the world.

This shutter application was obviously not an after-thought, but was rather considered the best window covering for the space.  The creative ability and talent of the architects and designers on this project is truly remarkable.

Shutters designed with a divider rail or in the double hung fashion are a popular choice in bathrooms. They allow for closure of the bottom louvers for privacy while the top louvers can be left opened for a view and light. It's harder to get that kind of function with curtains, drapes or wood blinds.

Would you like plantation shutters in your master bathroom?

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.

Here is a little trick to increasing your home's value - consider purchasing plantation shutters for all windows that are visible from the street in from of your home.  We have found that many consumers consider their window coverings on a room by room basis but ignore the exterior view.  This is an inside only decor perspective.

However, by considering your window covering decor (plantation shutter) decisions from an inside and outside perspective you will add a lot of value to your window covering choice.  Ask yourself:

• What will my choice make my home or business look like as viewed from the outside?
• What will my choice make my interior look like - from room to room?  Think sight lines.
• What outside beauty do I want to visually experience inside my home?
• What outside look do I want to visually limit inside my home?

These questions will help you be a better design thinker.  But, keeping it simple, if you like the look of plantation shutters - and many people do - then be sure that they are visible from every window that faces the street in front of your house.  If you do this, then you can expect instance curb appeal and value.

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.

Inevitably, when shopping for plantation shutters you will have to sort through whether to choose a wood shutter or a poly shutter.  Here in Arizona, most residential customers opt for 100% basswood as our extremely hot dry climate is friendly to a real wood product.

With that said, we do encounter situations and individual design preferences where a high quality poly shutter at a reasonable price is preferable.  So, what is different about a poly shutter that would cause it to be chosen over a real wood shutter?

Good quality poly shutters shutters are a safe investment.  In our opinion, you should stick with solid shutters as opposed to the hollow shutters now being introduced to the market.  We feel that these hollow vinyl shutters do not offer the same value for the money - though we know those who deal in them would disagree with us.

After evaluating the price and value of several brands, we believe the best value lies with an aluminum reinforced poly shutters which offers the traditional look of wood shutters, but with all of the unique features and advantages of synthetic materials. 

The Polycore shutter we offer is made so all of the stiles, rails and louvers are made with an aluminum reinforcement. What this means is that an aluminum core is actually co-extruded into the solid polymer at the same time the component is made.  This creates a very strong, rigid and durable component.  The aluminum reinforced louvers, rails, and stiles make Polycore shutters super straight and also allows for panel widths up to 36" with no bowing or sagging.  Additionally, the co-extruded aluminum reinforcement allows Polycore shutters to be assembled with screws for superior strength, unlike other poly shutters that are only glued together.

Polycore’s synthetic composition means that they are very durable, have an inherently high R-value and are extremely energy efficient. Polycore shutters are perfect for use in bathrooms, over kitchen sinks, or in other humid or warm environments.

Additionally, these Polycore shutters are ideal for office buildings, hotels, schools and other commercial applications.  Why?  Because a high quality, reasonably priced PolyCore shutter will come with a GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality and Children & Schools certificate. Remember, Greenguard certification  means that Polycore shutters have passed an extensive series of tests to ensure that they meet stringent third-party standards on chemical emissions based on established health standards.  Also, of importance to commercial applications is moisture resistance, fire retardant, low VOC, water based paint, and the ability to be recycled - all of which a high quality poly shutter should offer.

So, there you have it, a brief guide to help you think about what you might consider as you shop for a poly shutter.

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 PolyCore shutters might cost.