Questions You Should Know about Basswood Plantation Shutter

After manufacturing and selling plantation shutters for over 30 years, we here at Naples Shutter have learned a thing or two.  We've seen it all, done it all, and helped thousands of people just like you decide on the perfect plantation shutters for their home.  But, since this may be your first time considering these timeless window treatments, we've compiled a list of the most common questions people ask.  Read these popular questions and get a jump start on your quest for plantation shutters.

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1. What kind of wood are your shutters made of?

Naples Shutter crafts its shutters out of North American Poplar.  Poplar wood is desirable because of its low density (making it lightweight) and its straight, smooth grain.  Did you know that a Poplar tree grows up to 160 feet high, and that its trunk can be up to eight feet in diameter?  This plentiful resource is grown in the Eastern United States.

2. Should I choose wood or poly shutters?

Most clients choose wood shutters whenever possible because they provide many advantages over poly:  a man-made composite material:

• Wood is lighter and stronger than poly, allowing the shutters to be made into larger panels, up to 37 inches wide.  This means you can have fewer panels in each window opening, increasing your view of the outdoors.

• Wood shutters can be painted any color.  We recommend matching your shutters to the trim of your home for a consistent look.  Poly shutters are only available in two colors: white and off-white.

• Specialty shapes such as arches, sunbursts and ovals are more easily manufactured in wood, and look better because they have less rough edges.

• Wood shutters are manufactured with 3-dowel construction, giving them greater strength and preventing separation of the stiles and rails.

• A Limited Lifetime Warranty is standard with wood shutters from Naples Shutter.

3. What louver size do you recommend'3 ½' or 4 ½'?

80-90% of our shutters are ordered with 3 ½' louvers.  However, we are seeing an increase in demand for 4 ½' louvers because of larger windows and sliding glass doors, clients' desire for more openness, and modern interior design influences.

4. Should I include a midrail?

For those who aren't familiar, a midrail is a solid horizontal plank that goes across the middle of the shutter panel.  The louvers above the midrail open and close independently of the louvers below the midrail.  Clients love midrails because they can leave the top section open for light and leave the bottom section closed for privacy.  This way you don't have to open and close the shutters each day.  A midrail is also recommended if you have dark metal window casings around the glass.  This will hide the casing and give your room a more consistent feel.

5. Can I get plantation shutters without the vertical tilt bar?

Yes, we can make shutters with the 'hidden tilt' option.  This is when the wooden tilt bar on the front of the panel is omitted.  In its place, we install a slim metal tilt bar on the back of the panel all the way to one side. It is virtually invisible, allowing more open space and visibility.

6. Can I put plantation shutters on my sliding glass doors?

Plantation shutters are a very functional, very dramatic addition to sliding glass doors.  If you have shutters throughout your house, they give a consistent look and feel.  Plantation shutter panels are installed on a track in the top of the slider opening, allowing the panels to glide open and closed.  Options include a bottom track, which gives added stability, and 'open louver' bypass, which allows you to slide the panels open and closed even when the louvers are in the open position.

7. How much do shutters cost?

Plantation shutters are priced by the square foot, and options like hidden tilt, specialty shapes and stain finishes are available for an additional charge.  Your Naples Shutter sales rep can give you an estimate based on your measurements.

8. How long does it take to get shutters?

Your plantation shutters are custom manufactured in our factory.  First, your sales rep will come to your home, perform a rough measure of your windows and doors and give you a proposal.  Next, a detailed measure will be performed by one of our installers.  Then, the factory goes to work creating your custom product.  After manufacturing, the shutters are sent to the finishing department, where they are sanded, primed, sanded again and painted.  Then they are ready to install.  The process from detailed measure to installation takes approximately six weeks, however we are always willing to work with clients in special situations dealing a tight deadline.

9. What material should I use in my bathrooms and garage?

Although wood is our most popular choice for shutters, poly shutters are ideal for areas prone to moisture and humidity like bathrooms and garages.  Windows that will come in direct contact with water such as in a shower are perfect areas for PVC shutters.

10. Are they made in America?

Yes!  Our shutters are manufactured in our 14,000 sq. ft. facility in Naples, Florida.  This gives us control over every aspect of your project, and creates American jobs and supports the American economy.  Remember, Naples Shutter is here for you before, during and after the sale.

INVESTING IN A PLANTATION SHUTTER

10) LOUVER SIZE CHANGES THE ENTIRE LOOK

Knowing what you want the room to feel like when you are done is very important to your plantation shutter selection process.  Do you want a contemporary feel, with clean, wide-open windows, or are you looking for a traditional feel in the home, with classic double-hung shutters?  There are thousands of design options and we can guide you through the options, costs, and best sales in the industry.

LITTLE KNOWN FACT:  WHY ARE THEY CALLED 'PLANTATION SHUTTERS?'

You may hear or see the term 'plantation shutters.' Wood shutters are traditionally called plantation shutters because their size and look are often reminiscent of antebellum plantations in the American Southeast. Generally, this type of shutter is used on larger windows and has the largest louvers.

Louver sizes usually depend on the size of the window; larger windows can take larger shutters.  Our design consultants can make recommendations for you to consider based on aesthetic and your personal taste.  We even have a sample to place in your window with all three sizes in one.  You can look through your windows from the street and see the improved curb appeal before you buy.  Nothing beats an in-home consultation'and it is free.

9) INSTALLATION MATTERS FOR SEVERAL REASONS

You must have a qualified installer to ensure the shutters are installed in accordance with the manufacturer's requirements, or they might void the warranty.  Attention to detail is important when installing wood shutters, so the frames are kept perfectly true and square, to avoid pinched hinges and stress on the shutter panel that can cause warpage.

Remember, the shutter is going to take 100% of the UV rays coming through your window.  It has to be tough, to begin with, but when an inexperienced installer does not take the time to get the frame perfectly level, the shutter will ultimately bend to the new shape, causing cracks, warpage, and damage.  You can avoid this and utilize the full warranty by choosing a dealer with factory-certified installers.  The cost is negligible when compared to the 25-50 years that your shutter will last, fully covered under the manufacturer's Lifetime Limited Warranty.

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8) SMALL UPGRADES MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE IN THE FINAL LOOK

There are several fairly inexpensive upgrades to the shutter that can provide a big boost in the overall look and feel.  These include shutter pulls, shutter locks, and hidden hinges, to name a few.  There are images of these upgrades below and they can be added to the shutter for a nominal cost per door of around $25 (hidden hinges are more.  They come in a brushed nickel finish that looks great against all of the whites, off-whites and really pops when putting on a stained wood shutter.  The locks protect the shutter from the kids and those prying hands, while the pulls can even protect the shutter from the unknowing adult who might not know how to properly open the shutter door.

Panel Lock Upgrade

Panel Pulls add functional a decorative upgrade

Invisible Hinges add Contemporary Feel

7) MATERIALS MATTER IN PLANTATION SHUTTER CONSTRUCTION

Wood is the most traditional material used in plantation shutter construction, but there are several areas where wood is not the best choice for your shutter.  Since it is susceptible to moisture and humidity, we don't recommend wood shutters (or faux wood) in the bathroom, attic, and garage. 

MAIN TYPES OF MATERIALS IN SHUTTERS: 

1. Polyresin 3® ' Aa colorfast compound with UV stabilizers designed with strength and durability, yet retaining a special warmth and feel. Shutters will not warp, shrink, chip, peel, or fade and never need painting.
2. Basswood ' An American hardwood that is ideal wood for many woodcarvers. The soft, fine, even texture of basswood makes it easy to work with, while its pale, inconspicuous color doesn't detract from the carved patterns of the finished product (which also makes it easier to paint and color).  It is stable in service after it has been dried, and though the wood is both lightweight and soft, when put under stress, Basswood will remain stiff.
3. Phoenix Wood ' A finely grained timber from the tree known as the 'Tree of Eternity', offers rich, consistent wood characteristics and unparalleled resilience.  Is also captures more carbon compared to other trees, and regenerates from the stump to be ready for harvest in 7-8 years.

We are manufactures of shutters and our free consultation will provide you with the best recommendation of cost, functionality, and cohesive style across all the brands to make sure your investment is protected and looks great for decades.

6) PLANTATION SHUTTERS CAN BE MOTORIZED

The advancements in motorized window coverings are improving your options exponentially in .  There are many reasons why investing in motorized window coverings make sense, including the fact the motors are becoming more reliable, more cost-effective, and more efficient, so the batteries last longer on a single charge. 

Shutters can also be motorized to tilt open at a certain time of the day (imagine waking up to the automated shutters in your bedroom).  And they can also be programmed to tilt closed during the heat of the day.  This ensures the protection of your fabrics, carpets, and wood floors by blocking the UV rays every single day.  The remote is very simple to program and operate, with one remote that can control all the shutters individually or all at once.

5) PLANTATION SHUTTERS ARE EASY TO CLEAN AND GREAT FOR ALLERGIES

Shutters are a great way to help allergy-proof your windows as recommended by this guide, '5 Tips to Allergy-Proof Your Windows.'    Wide 4 1/2' louvers are also a great choice since shutters with large slats that are easy to vacuum and wipe down.

4) SHUTTERS ARE THE ONLY WINDOW COVERING THAT ACTUALLY STAYS ON THE APPRAISAL

'If you're going to put lots of money into a window treatment, my personal observation is that plantation shutters, very generic blinds, but the high quality will bring you the most money back on that investment.'

3) KNOW-HOW MUCH QUALITY SHUTTERS WILL COST IN YOUR AREA

The worst mistake you can make in this process is to decide to invest in wood shutters for your home, only to purchase a low-quality shutter that will not stand the test of time.  Plantation Shutters from national manufactures are tested, warrantied, and have stood the test of time for decades.  Well known manufacturers like Liberty Shutters, Eclipse, and Timber all know what it takes to produce a quality shutter.  Knowing how much a quality product should cost is also very important.

2) THE QUALITY OF SHUTTER PRODUCTION VARIES DRAMATICALLY, SO KNOW WHAT YOU ARE GETTING

Shutters can be made in your home town, in the USA, or overseas.  You should know the specifics of what goes into your shutter and how it is made to make the best decision.  You should ask what type of joinery the shutter doors are made with (dowels or mortise & tenon).  There are also hundreds of wood curing and treatment options that can dramatically change the lifespan of your shutters, or cause them to warp prematurely, so ask how the wood is cured.  Finally, the paint and finishing process is critical to keep the shutter looking great for decades.

#1) THE TOP UPGRADE FOR PLANTATION SHUTTERS

HIDDEN TILT VS. INVISIBLE TILT

Hidden tilt rods are the top upgrade for our clients who purchase premium plantation shutters.  There are 2 main ways of removing the tilt rod from the shutter door.  The first system is called 'Hidden Tilt' and it is the most conventional method and it has a steel connector on the street side of the shutter.  It is very thin and hardly visible from either side of the shutter (but it is still present).  A small screw then attaches to the steel rod and into each shutter slat.  When you move one shutter slat, all of the slats open and close.

Below is a picture of a hidden tilt system, which eliminates the need for a room-facing tilt rod.  Here is a link to an excellent Blog titled, 'Center Tilt Rod vs. Hidden:  Which Option is for You?' that explains in detail the advantages and disadvantages of each system.

Hidden Tilt Rod Upgrade

Hidden tilt rods are the traditional way of removing the front tilt rod and have been around for a very long time.  Recently, several vendors have released upgrades to the hidden tilt bar, including Graber.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Basswood Plantation Shutter.