Most people who see plantation shutters fall in love with them. They have amazing appeal, and they also really add to the resale value of your home. Unfortunately it is not that easy to find cheap plantation shutters, so if you really are determined to have them be prepared to pay for the style and elegance that you will be receiving. There are some ways to cut costs when buying them however, so that they are at least affordable for most people.
Material They’re Made From
One way to cut back on costs is to order either plastic or polymer plantation shutters or faux wood shutters. They are usually quite a bit cheaper than wood shutters yet for the most part they can look just as nice. They are also often more resilient when it comes to holding up in the hot sunlight and do not warp or fade like wood shutters can tend to.
Buy from One Retailer Over Time
While this may not actually save you money, it is a great tip. Sometimes people cannot afford to outfit their entire house with shutters all at one time (see, I knew it had something to do with money,) so one idea is to add them to windows as you can afford. The only drawback with this is that sometimes, if you buy them at Lowes for example, they may either run out of stock or no longer stock the exact type you bought when it comes time to buy some more. So, if you are going to add to your windows over time, I’d suggest buying from a blinds retailer that deals only with blinds, and preferably manufacturers them themselves. That way you can try to ensure that they will always have something in stock.
If you buy Lowes Plantation shutters or Home Depot plantation shutters, and you plan on buying them over time, you may be disappointed when it comes time to buy your second or third batch and you suddenly find that the store is no longer carrying them. Or, in the case of Home Depot, they are now only selling custom plantation shutters which naturally cost a lot more than the standard sized plantation shutters that would fit most windows.
Make Your Own Using a Shutter Kit
If you have an experienced handyman in your family you can always buy your own shutter kit online, and then assemble and install the shutters yourself. There really is a lot of satisfaction to be gained from making your own shutters, and as long as you have some basic skills you should be able to do it yourself. If you are careful, take the time needed and follow the instructions the finished product should look great! And you will be able to tell everyone that you made the shutters yourself from a DIY Shutter Kit.
Check the Resale Lists
Every day shutters are returned to the stores they were bought from for various reasons, with the most common being that the measurements taken were wrong and thus the blinds did not fit. It happens to the best carpenter! Once they are returned to the store, they cannot be sold for the original retail value so they are often offered for sale at a much cheaper price. You may not always find the exact size that you are looking for, but you would be surprised at how many homes have very similar sized windows installed. It is definitely worth checking the resale lists in most of the bigger home improvement type stores, or stores that sell blinds and window treatments.
Buy Online
It is usually quite a bit cheaper to buy your shutters directly online, in most instances. Of course you need to look for offers such as free shipping, and be sure to read the return policy carefully before placing your order. You will need to be able to install the shutters yourself, or at least find someone who can install them for you, but if you can and you can benefit from free shipping and the often very competitive pricing that is online, you should be able to find the blinds you want at a really good price.