Plantation shutters have been a popular window blind for many years now, and it seems they are only increasing in popularity as time goes on.  Having said this, there are a lot of choices when it comes to deciding exactly what type of material you will have your shutters made from, and where you will buy them from.  Home Depot plantation shutters are fairly reasonable, as are shutters from many other locations online.

Originally shutters were made from wood panels and were hung on the outside of the window. They were used to keep out sun and dust, and also were very helpful in protecting houses from hurricane damage if they were in a hurricane area.  Mainly wealthy plantation owners were the only ones who could afford to have these made and hung on their windows, thus the name “plantation shutters.”

These days the shutters are not just for the wealthy! Thankfully they are made out of a variety of materials meaning that they are affordable no matter what your budget.

Some materials used for the shutters include:

• Hard wood such as Cedar or Aldar wood, or Poplar wood
• Softer woods, basswood
• Composite wood (faux wood)
• Vinyl

Naturally, the more expensive plantation shutters are made from the harder woods. These shutters also have the nicest finishing and look very good.  Blinds made from hard wood is usually  either left unfinished, or the wood is stained.

Not everyone is able to afford these though, so the other alternatives ranging from Basswood to vinyl can still look very good.  Basswood shutters can be left unfinished, or stained or sometimes they are painted.  Shutters made from composite wood are usually painted, but can also be finished with a wood look.  Vinyl blinds come in different colors also, but by far the most common for plantation shutters is the more authentic looking wood or brown colors.

Designer Plantation Shutters

If you really want the ultimate design in plantation blinds, there are also options available for having your shutters custom designed.  While you can choose the type of wood to have them made from, normally if you’re going to the expense of having designer shutters made you may as well have them made from the best and finest hardwoods available, such as the Western Red Alder.  Alder wood is a popular choice for designer plantation shutters because of its very even grain and texture.   You can also choose what, if any stain, to use, choosing the perfect match for your other furniture.

Whatever your choice, you can be sure that the addition of plantation shutters to your home will give it an elegant look.

There are pro’s and con’s to both fabric curtains and wooden shutters.
Curtains are very decorative. They are soft and look lovely when drawn to the side. They’re easy to fold and arrange.
On the other hand, the cons of curtains are starting to weigh heavily in their disfavour. Perhaps it’s not so much the cons of the curtains as the pros of wooden shutters.

Wooden shutters are much easier to clean. Run a rag or a feather duster over them and they’re clean.  Curtains made from fabric, however, require much more attention when it comes to cleaning them.  While fabric, hung on windows, can help insulate a room from the cold, wooden shutters have been known to be much more effective in controlling levels of heat during summer, and cold during winter, in a room.

Shutters help direct the amount of light that flows into a room.  Fabric curtains, on the other hand, have to be left wide open or pulled to the side, leaving little room for controlling the amount of light that filters into a room.

Wood blends with almost any furniture in the room.   Curtains often need to be changed whenever the décor of a room is changed. So, any remodelling usually involves buying and hanging new curtains.  Plantation shutters, for example, blend naturally with any décor.  They do not need to be changed as often as curtains.  In fact, you can often keep your wooden shutters for years on end without needing to change or replace them.

That alone can mean a substantial savings for you. Fabric curtains are generally more expensive than wooden shutters, plantation shutters or blinds.  Cheap fabric curtains do not look good.  Vinyl curtains should only be used in bathrooms or in kitchen windows.  If you want to fit your living room  out with nice looking curtains or blinds you have few choices. Many choose wood venetian blinds, or blinds or shutters.  These look classy and can withstand many home re-decorations. Fabric curtains usually need to be changed each time you redecorate. That is costly!

If you are looking for a classy look for your room, you would be wise to choose wooden shutters such as the plantation shutters. You really can’t go wrong if you choose those!