Plantation shutters create a beautiful decorative effect on windows. Plus, they allow you to control light and solar heat entering your home. When installing shutters, you'll have various decisions to make, several of which are explained below.

Materials

Plantation shutters use a variety of materials. For example, you might install timber shutters in a species such as Basswood. This timber is lightweight and has low thermal conductivity, so it won't transfer heat from outside into your house. Another option is PVC shutters. These coverings resist water and, thus, they're suitable for installing in bathrooms and wet areas. Plus, vinyl also doesn't absorb heat and radiate it inside. However, depending on their structure, vinyl shutters may bow or sag. To prevent this, some models build aluminium inserts inside the blades for extra strength.

Colours

Plantation shutters come in various colours. For example, vinyl designs may be white, beige or grey. Timber plantation shutters can be painted in many hues, like white, fawn, grey or blue. You can select pale colours or strikingly dark shades to create different effects and blend or contrast the shutters with the walls.

If you love the beauty of wood, you might opt for stained plantation shutters. Stains can imbue the shutters with different tones, such as warm brown, dark charcoal, or golden honey. Thus, you can pick a wood tone to match timber floors or furniture. Staining can bring out the grains and knots in a piece of wood for a warm and characterful effect.

Configurations

You can choose different configurations of plantation shutters. First, the louvres vary in size, and they can be narrower or broader to create more slimline or chunky shutters.

Additionally, shutters can be constructed to fit a wide variety of window shapes and sizes. You can install fixed shutters on which you can adjust the louvres only. Alternatively, install hinged, bifold, or sliding plantation shutters, which you can open to reveal the unfettered window. These shutters can also be built to cover glass doors.

So, when installing plantation shutters in your home, first work out what material you'd prefer. You'll need to consider the conditions, as some options, such as vinyl, are better for wet areas than others. You'll also have to pick a colour to integrate the coverings into the room and whether you want them to blend with the wall or stand out. Regardless of the window and door shapes and sizes in your home, shutters can be configured to fit.

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