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.   

In today's plantation shutter marketplace, there are a few name brand companies which are delivering exceptional value.  This "value" measure is a function of price, quality, as well as the companies global strength to stand behind their limited lifetime warranty.

In this war for plantation shutter excellence, and at this point in marketplace history, the best value appears to be offered by either Norman Shutters or Sunland Shutters.  There are other companies which offer an exceptional shutter like Hunter Douglas and O'Hair, but the price point on these is much higher and as such are not quite the same value.  For instance, O'Hair might offer a slightly better finish or tolerance, but in our opinion it is negligible against the significantly higher price - thus the "value" definition.

Also, watch for the name brand scam.  Sadly, there are a plethora of dealers with no contractor's license, no bonding, and no insurance that have learned this scam.  

Here is how it works.  

The salesperson purchases a sample shutter bag from a company like Sunland Shutters which makes a high quality poly shutter with an aluminum core.  They show the product samples to the customer and offer them a price that is a few hundred dollars less than their competition.  Then, rather than actually providing a Sunland Shutter, they provide some other "none name brand" shutter which is far inferior.  By the time issues arise, this dealer has disappeared and you have no idea who the shutter manufacturer was.  In fact, you might contact Sunland Shutters only to find they never sold you shutters.

The best protection against this scam is by shopping for "value-based" name brand shutters from licensed contractors. This generally will cost a little bit more, but you will actually be getting what you think you are getting, and have the peace of mind which comes with your State's licensure process. 

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

In today's modern design atmosphere, the plantation shutter remains as a viable window covering choice. But, one wonders - why would a "traditional" shutter work so well in a modern environment?

Well, the answer may lie with the super bright white poly shutter outfitted with a hidden tilt bar.  Because this is a poly shutter, it has a "sheen" when coupled with the super bright white color effectively creates a modern look. Think bright white poly clad cabinets in a modern kitchen.

Additionally, by removing the standard tilt bar from the center and front of the shutter panels, the look becomes cleaner and more modern.  Also, if possible, choosing a 4 1/2" louver will further clean up the look and open up your modern space.

These slight design nuances help make plantation shutters fit your modern aesthetic while providing the great longevity, timeliness, energy efficiency, and versatility of plantation shutters.

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

Plantation shutters are ultimately versatile.  There is almost no window out there where a shutter application is not a possibility -from a technical perspective.  As we have discussed, shutters are one of the best options for arched shaped windows as well as standard windows of all types.  In fact, we have installed shutters in skylights, on doors, on cabinets, and as room dividers.

However, while most windows are very straight forward and as such can be assembled and installed without much extra work - there are situations which require a skilled craftsman.  Of course, we speak of those special situations which require frame, chair rail, or other features to be customized by an experienced shutter craftsman in the field.

If you want your project to reflect the high quality appeal which plantation shutters offer, then this type of finish work is absolutely critical.  Decisions must often be made by field personnel whether to cut into the shutter, or into the chair rail, baseboard trim, etc.  Knowing what will look best in each unique situation is why the experienced shutter craftsman is worth the slightly higher labor fee.

Bottom line, please kindly be aware that to control cost many shutter companies hire general laborers to install shutters.  To be fair, in 90% of the windows out there, this is a business model which works.  However, when customization is needed, you would be well served to consider the experience of your shutter installer's "craftsmanship" credentials.  They really do matter.  Of course, a good place to start in this desire is to only hire licensed, bonded, and insured window covering or carpentry contractors.

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

An interesting phenomena has occurred in the shutter design industry over the past 5-10 years.  Fascinatingly, greater than 95% of the shutter projects provided to consumers are a some variation of a white or off-white painted shutter.  Truly, you can get a sense of design trends and economic realities by tracking the popularity of window coverings at any given time and the boom in white shutter sales says something about the design taste of the 20-teens.

Obviously, the simple timeless look of white shutters, coupled with their great price point has swamped the industry. So, when do stained shutters make sense?  From our experience, the stained shutter still has a place for the high design of Tuscan Style Mansions, woodland cabins, conference rooms, certain restaurant themes, and traditional homes with rich stained wood doors and baseboards.  In these scenarios, a matching or coordinated stained shutter can pull the space together in a way that far exceeds the look of painted wood shutters.

Also, stained shutters offer the look of the the wood's character - as the stain takes to the rings and texture of wood's natural beauty.  This process still creates a unique look which is as varied as the tree itself.

So, while modern design trends have created a boom for white painted shutters, please kindly remember that a stained shutter just might be that special and "rare" design which helps your stand out from the trend.  Just saying.

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

Divider rails are the stationary horizontal piece which can be added to shutter panels as a feature. Divider rails are a design feature as well as a structural feature in larger shutter panels.  

Firstly, divider rails are a practical matter.  If your shutter panel has a height over approximately 72" with a width over 30", a divider rail is generally required to help support the integrity of the panels weight.  These dimensions may vary slightly depending on the manufacturer and the material from which the panel is made.

Secondly, divider rails are a design feature which can add a unique look to your windows.  Divider rails can be set to match horizontal mullion in your window or can be use to create a design look which splits the window in half or thirds.  Design rules generally suggest splitting in half or thirds, but for some rules were made to be broken.  As such, divider rails can be custom set at any location desired, assuming enough space is left for a couple louvers either above or below the rail.  Also, multiple divider rails are also possible and are generally found on very tall windows.  This application can be extremely stunning.  

One item worth knowing - for windows with an odd number of louvers and a divider rail in the center you will generally see one additional louver on the bottom portion of the shutter panel.  This is the most visually appealing look for windows with a center spaced divider rail.

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

Commercial spaces, like offices, retail stores, restaurants, hotels and hospitals, are beginning to realize the advantages of using plantation shutters.  Because shutters have an extremely long life, are highly energy efficient, and require minimal maintenance, they are being viewed as a good long term option for many commercial establishments.

The trick to making plantation shutters "work" in your commercial space is thinking through the design and install parameters.  

Many commercial applications desire a poly shutter, rather than a real wood shutter.  While poly shutters are a tad more expensive, the durability under heavy use, coupled with fire retardant ratings designed for commercial applications especially important in hotels and hospitals more than makes up for the slightly higher price point. Of course offices and restaurants which are designing for a rich wood stain look are well served by stained wood shutters.

From a functional perspective, thinking through the special requirements of a commercial space, which significantly differs from a residential application, is paramount - i.e. special hidden tilt features designed for total privacy, mounting depth requirements which may require outside mount frames, and smaller 2.5" louver sizes for tilting clearance.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly is considering how the shutter might be secured.  Plantation shutters in commercial spaces can be very heavy because of their large size.  Considering whether there is wood to mount into, aluminium frame, concrete, or I-beam steel, is very important.  Or,maybe there is nothing behind the drywall where the shutter needs to be mounted.  A shutter must be properly secured, and as such commercial applications require very attentive inspection of what will structurally hold the weight of the shutter.  For example, I-beams and empty space are problematic and generally require some additional carpentry work to provide "sound" mounting surfaces for your commercial shutter application.

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

We, like many retailers, provide full service installation with the sale of our plantation shutters.  Some online retailers will offer shutters for the do-it-yourself-er, but this is often fraught with issues.  As such, for the vast majority of plantation shutter consumers - professional installation is an absolute must.

So, would you like a peak behind the curtain of a typical shutter installer?  If so, then kindly read on.

Most of today's brand name shutters are made elsewhere, boxed, and shipped to an installer's location.  This may be one of the most valuable services which installers provide - receipt and warehousing of plantation shutter orders.  Why?  Shutters are shipped via long line freight companies and are generally transported on pallets and are heavy and bulky.  Most home owners do not want a long haul truck trying to navigate their neighborhood, nor do they want the trash bulk or storage hassle of palatalized shutters.  Especially, if it is a large order, say more than 5 windows.  If we are talking 10 or more windows, then it is probably unmanageable for 99% of homeowners.

Next the installer must transport the shutters to the customer's location.  Some installers unpack, build, and assemble the shutters at their warehouse and then transport them in a van or trailer fully assembled. Others build and assemble the shutters on-site.  Depending on the regional climate of your area, either process can be valid.

Next, windows are cleared at the customer location.  Old blinds are removed, and perhaps hauled-off, furniture and decor is cleared adequate for obtaining clearance for shutter panel maneuverability.

At this point the assembled frame is installed with a couple screws or nails, followed by hanging of the panel doors using hinge pins.

Now, the adjustment stage begins, one of the more difficult aspects of the job.  Assuming the installer is experienced, he or she will rack the shutter, meaning small side to side adjustments are made to ensure that the panel doors are even as they meet.  Additionally, adjustments are made to magnets or hinges depending on the windows individual "quarks"  This is a fairly tricky process, even though experienced craftsmen make it look easy.

Finally, the shutter joints are caulked, as needed.  The general area is policed for any trash.  The shutter is dusted with a soft rag - and any louver tension adjustments are made.  Furnishings and decor are returned to their previous location and our professional installer heads off to the next window or job to repeat the process again.

Bottom line - shutter installation is heavy, physically taxing work which requires knowledge and finesse.  Most professionals make it look easy, but what you are really seeing is how "experience matters."

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