The Added Versatility of Plantation Shutters
Window shutters are one of the most versatile interior window treatments available. They offer the most control over lighting conditions in the home and also add and element of traditional class that other window treatments do not. They can be made of vinyl, solid composites and even basswood. Louvers are the portion the run horizontally like the rungs of a ladder. These are the elements that rotate to regulate the amount of light that is allowed into the home. Louvers are also an important design element. An inch or two change in louver size can totally transform appearance of the room. Traditional louver size for plantation shutters fall within 2.5″ and 3.5″. More contemporary tastes may opt for 4.5″ louvers, which offer a less obstructed view of the outside.
The louvers are surrounded by the frame that hold the bars on which the louvers rotate. These are another important design element, as they incorporate window trim into their structure. This provides a wonderfully seamless look to the window treatments. Frames are available in a wide range of styles and configurations; everything from colonial, bead rolled, camber deco to basic bull nose.
The hinges are available in a wide variety of materials, depending on the design intent. Some homeowners opt for the hinges to be color matched with the louvers to achieve an invisible-like look. Others use the hinges as accents and opt for a contrasting material like brass, brushed nickel, stainless steel or black.
A recent trend in window treatments in motorization. Plantation shutters are no exception. A hidden electric motor will operate the louvers with the touch of a button on a remote or a smartphone app. This enables the user to operate the louvers in hard to reach places from the safety of the floor. It also adds the wow factor that home automation provides.