Floral wallpaper. China Cabinets. Pink tiled bathrooms. Sweet tea.
Reminiscing about your Grandma's home conjures up visions of a warm, comforting and traditional place (and maybe the smell of freshly baked pie), but her décor style might not fit the vision you have for your own home.
When you think about plantation shutters, you might be thinking about the ones from grandma's house too.
Traditional shutters had tiny louvers, many small shutters panels that folded accordion style and hooks and knobs to latch. With old fashioned shutters in mind, you may have never considered decorating your windows with interior shutters. Luckily today's shutters have gotten some updates since Grandma's day.
Why Choose Plantation Shutters
Current shutter design trends range from traditional to modern and can either make a statement or blend in with decorative molding. Plantation Shutters are sought after by home buyers and renovators for their built-in look, long-lasting durability and boost to home resale values. Plus, did you know that interior shutters are great for energy efficiency and light control as well?
Do Plantation Shutters Work With all Home Styles?
If you have a traditional-style home, shutters are a no brainer. The classic 2” louvers with a center tilt rod look seamless in colonial, farmhouse, Victorian, transitional, and other traditional home styles.
If your home is more modern, you may think shutters aren't for you. But with a few adjustments to the options and design features available, interior window shutters can bring a cleaner contemporary look that will perfectly complement the style of your space.
How to Make Plantation Shutters Work in Modern Homes
Tilt rods are traditionally positioned in the center of each panel attached with staples to the louvers. This allows the louvers to move simultaneously to open or close. Choosing a hidden tilt rod feature is a simple change that give the shutters a clean updated look, distinguishing it from the traditional style. These shutters are often referred to as “Clear View Shutters.”
Step outside the box and select an on-trend stained finish for your shutters to bring bold color and warmth to your room. Gray finishes are a great choice for today's modern home. Need a star statement piece? Interior window shutters are like fine furniture for your windows, and you can select a stained finish to give your home a pop of color, like navy blue or emerald green, that will make a dramatic impact on the entire room.
Another way to make a plantation shutter more modern is to select a wider louver. A 3.5-inch or 4.5-inch louver allows for more light and air when they are open, offering a picturesque view to the outside. Curb appeal is dramatically enhanced from the outside providing an architectural element for an updated, modernized aesthetic.
Selecting the right framing is another consideration in creating the perfect plantation shutter look for your home. Decorative framing for plain sheet rocked casements gives the appearance of custom trim molding. Shutter framing can blend with existing window casement trim as well. Removing heavy draperies and installing clean white painted shutters and frames will immediately brighten the interior of any room.
Interior window shutters have changed over time, yet remain a timeless long-lasting style for any home decor. Plantation shutters are a smart window treatment, functional and aesthetically pleasing, fitting perfectly within any home. With their clean architectural lines and streamlined elegant look, shutters will add character and are the perfect finishing touch to make a statement in your home.
Would you believe that interior shutters are one of the fastest growing window treatment styles we sell? It's true! Shutter popularity grew 15% in 2019. Shutters are the epitome of classic style and durability, so it's no wonder they're on the rise. With more customers shopping for shutters than ever, we wanted to answer your top questions.
What Are Interior Shutters?
Shutters are window coverings made of wood or faux wood that consist of a rigid frame and tilt-able horizontal louvers. Unlike blinds which can be raised to the top of the window, shutter panels can be swung open for a clear view. Both shutters and blinds have slats (louvers) that tilt open and closed for privacy or light control. Shutters are more durable than blinds because of they are permanently fixed to the window and are made with thicker materials.
Shutters also differ from blinds in that there are no cords or strings which makes them safer for children and pets.
Are Shutters Still In Style?
Absolutely. Shutters will always be in style because they can be customized to fit any decor style from the ultra-modern to traditional. Trendy homeowners may opt for a hidden tilt in a fashionable color like black for a sleek statement. Larger louvers can also streamline your look. Historic homes or those with a more classic decor style may choose a frame style that compliments their crown molding.
How Long Do Shutters Last?
Shutters are the longest lasting window treatment and once installed, are considered a permanent fixture. In fact, shutters are the only window treatment that can add value to your home when you sell it. As people become more eco-conscious they are investing in fixtures designed to last and window treatments are no exception.
Shutters can last anywhere from 10 to 20+ years, depending on what they are made of and how often they are used. Solid wood shutters are some of the most durable with faux wood shutters being a more economical but still durable alternative.
Are Shutters Insulating or Energy Efficient?
Yes! Shutters help insulate windows and can help you save on your energy costs. Depending on the frame style, shutters enclose a window and reduce heat transfer. Faux wood shutters are the most insulating because they are typically hollow which creates an insulating air pocket. Real wood shutters are slightly less insulating but are more durable.
Do Shutters Reduce Noise?
Shutters can help dampen noise. While they won't completely block off sound from things like traffic, they can help quiet a space when fully closed. Be aware that if your room has an echo, shutters can enhance the echo as sounds waves will bounce off their hard surface.
How Are Shutters Installed?
Shutters are easy to install but can take a little longer to install than a regular blind. They can either be installed within the window frame (inside mount) or on the wall outside the window (outside mount). The panel typically attaches to the frame via hinges that allow it to swing open and closed. Some shutters allow a panel to be mounted directly to a window frame without the use of an additional shutter frame. Check out our installation guides for more details!