I don't say this to scare you, because most plantation shutter "players" are doing their best to be fair and build their business. However, as is true with most things in life, a little education can go a long way in achieving the look and longevity you desire from your plantation shutters.
Based on my years of experience, I like the idea of providing wood shutters which are 100% basswood. I prefer knowing that they are build with a combination of state-of-the art computerized equipment and old-world hand craftsmanship. This generally provides the precision and look we are all wanting.
The nice thing about shutters which are made from 100% basswood is that they have no fillers, no sawdust, no composites, no plastic wraps, no "engineered wood" no mystery "hardwoods". Basswood is known in the industry to provide a combination of strength and light weight and as such it has become the industry's recognized premium natural material for the manufacture of wood shutters.
Bottom line, please kindly consider basswood as a leading option when shopping for a real wood shutter.
Of course, 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.