Choosing the Right Plantation Shutters

Of all the window treatments you could buy for your home, only plantation shutters add real value to your home.  Just ask a realtor.  That’s not to say that all the other window treatments don’t add value; they certainly make your home more attractive and livable but they won’t necessarily add to the appraisal value.  I guess it has something to do with the perceived longevity and permanency of shutters that distinguishes them from other blinds and shades. 

This is not necessarily why you should choose plantation shutters for your home, it is just and added bonus to a classic choice.  It is true that shutters are a long term choice as far as window treatments go.  They are not the cheapest option and they are a little bit trickier to install then, say, a roller shade.  And, they will, with normal care and maintenance, last you a good long time.  They may even get passed down with the home.

So, what choices are available in plantation shutters?  Actually there are three: wood, faux wood, also known as composite and vinyl (PVC).  Each of these three options has slightly different assets and liabilities.  All three options offer the same functionality as well as a decent amount of insulation to any window.

Wood plantation shutters obviously offer the warmth and luxury of real wood that, in all honesty, can be entirely duplicated with man-made materials.  Wood shutters come in a wide variety of paints and stains, though it seems a little backwards to buy wood shutters and than get them painted as this somewhat defeats the purpose.  Wood shutters are the most expensive and also the most susceptible to warping, bowing and scratching.  Just like the wood furniture in your house, reasonable care must be taken.  

Faux wood shutters, also known as composite shutters are constructed with a composite core of man-made materials and recycled wood with a tough man-made outer shell of.  They also come in a variety of paints and stains.  The stained option approximates the look of real wood, i.e. you get more of the warmth of real wood.  Composite shades are more durable than wood shutters.  They will not crack, fade or bow.  Therefore, they are an excellent choice for hot and humid areas or climates.  Composite shutters are less expensive than wood shutters but more expensive than vinyl shutters.

As just mentioned, vinyl (PVC) shutters are the least expensive of the three options.  They are also the most durable and can withstand quite a bit of punishment.  They are therefore the best option for bathrooms, kitchens and children’s rooms.  So, if you want shutters but need maximum durability and lowest cost, vinyl shutters are the best choice.  Lastly, vinyl shutters do not come in stains, they only come in shades of white, such as cream, almond, beige, etc.  One option is to purchase wood blinds for the more prominent and formal areas of you home, e.g. living room, dining room and than purchase either faux wood or vinyl shutters for the other, less prominent rooms.  Just keep in mind that only faux woods come in stains that would match with stained wood blinds.

So, there you have it a short primer on the differences between wood 
plantation shutters, vinyl plantation shutters and faux wood plantation shutters.  Hope it helps. – David Brooks