Plantation shutters are an investment. As the apex predator of window treatments, shutters add incredible value to your home and usually stick around for decades. So, when a plantation shutter gets broken or damaged (don’t panic, it happens), what do you do? Ignore it? No. Throw it out? Of course not. Duct tape? Please, no, we are begging you.
The other day I was talking to Bill Earls, a top real estate professional in Naples, and he said I should be extremely busy at Naples Shutter with all the new building going on. I told Bill that we are busier but, with all the new building going on, builders are limiting the options for new clients and installing 2” faux wood blinds on the windows instead of plantation shutters. Bill said if people would step back and upgrade to plantation shutters over blinds they would benefit from the beauty of the shutters every day and recoup the upgrade cost when they sell their home in the future.
“I just don’t know what to do with my sliding glass doors!” Many clients visit our showroom at Naples Shutter with a clear idea of what they want on their windows – shutters, blinds, shades, draperies, etc. – but the comment we hear over and over again is, “What do I do with my sliding glass doors?” That’s why we created this handy list of the most popular and functional ways to treat sliding glass doors. While some people choose to leave them uncovered, most clients prefer to add some kind of window treatment to these large openings so they gain privacy, light control, and heat management. Take a look…
Okay, okay, yes we are a plantation shutter factory so we may seem biased, but plantation shutters do make a wonderful addition to sliding glass doors in many cases. Plantation shutters are not just limited to windows. They are the perfect complement to doors of all kinds, including sliding glass doors. If you have shutters on your windows, create a continuous look by extending them to your doors as well. They offer tremendous architectural appeal, light control, heat control, and a clear view outside.
Carry the look of shutters throughout your home
Control sunlight by opening/closing louvers or sliding shutter panels open/closed
Reduce heat from the sun’s glare
Panels slide open horizontally to give you easy access to the outdoors
Architectural appeal—visible both outside and inside
Shutters can be completely open, completely closed, or partially open/closed for custom light and privacy management
Add a bottom track for extra stability
Available in unlimited paint or stain colors to match your home’s trim color
Many people who walk into our showroom at Naples Shutter announce, “I’m here to purchase poly composite plantation shutters because my friend told me that wood shutters warp.” While we joyfully welcome clients that have done their homework and know what they want, we would like to take a minute to de-bunk this common myth.
So, you have decided on plantation shutters to decorate your windows. Your next decision is whether to choose shutters made from natural wood or man-made poly materials. Your friends are giving you conflicting information – some say wood, some say poly, and quite frankly, you don’t know which way to turn. Here is an easy point-by-point breakdown of the pros and cons of each, so that you can choose the plantation shutter material that’s right for you and your home.
If you have plantation shutters, you already know about their superior beauty and functionality. But, you may experience a time when the shutter louvers don’t stay in the desired position. You open them, they fall closed. Or, the opposite may be true when the louvers feel very difficult to move and you’re afraid you may break them by forcing them too hard. Well don’t worry; this is a normal occurrence that is quickly solved using just a screwdriver.
Over the course of time, the wood in the plantation shutters can slightly expand and contract depending on temperature, humidity and other factors. This is normal. The change affects the way the moving parts of the shutter fit together. When we change the tightness of the louvers, this is called adjusting the “louver tension.” Here’s how to do it:
Welcome to the final installment on window treatments and the rules to live by when choosing what suits your needs. Today, we will be talking about how to keep your window treatments consistent throughout your whole house, while also keeping safety in mind.
If you caught last week's lesson on window treatments, you learned to not be afraid to experiment with the different types of window coverings, including shades, drapes, and plantation shutters. You also learned how to determine what you want your windows to be able to do for you. This week's lesson teaches us to look for the ways in which we plan on using our window treatments.
Choosing window treatments for your home can seem like a daunting task, but if you know what rules to keep in mind, it could prove to be an easy, enjoyable experience. Once you have established what you need your window treatments to accomplish, you can proceed with confidence along with your window treatment provider. Soon you will be enjoying the view both inside and outside of your room. This week's lesson is about learning what you want from your windows.
