If you’re designing or outfitting a new home, you’ll probably want to start by buying shutters for your windows. In addition to creating a stunning, built-in treatment for your windows, plantation shutters are also a great option for homeowners who want to take advantage of the natural light without inviting overexposure. The classic look of a plantation shutter includes small horizontal slats that can often be manually opened or closed, allowing you to filter in the light or shut it out completely on hot, stuffy days. If you live in a hot area and want to get some relief from the blazing sun, or you simply like the visual style of a plantation shutter, it’s a good idea to talk to your local shutter installation company in richmond and ask about installing some in your home. But before you do, you’ll want to consider a few different factors. Whether you’re dead set on plantation shutters or are still on the fence, here some things to think about before you buy.
Painting and Repainting
The design of plantation shutters is something that instantly catches the eye: It’s unique, interesting, and utilitarian. However, if you’re a homeowner who likes to switch it up every so often, you’ll want to give a bit of thought to the more complicated reality of painting and repainting your plantation shutters. Since you’ll have a lot of grooves and angles to contend with, you might have a harder time switching up the color on your wood shutters without creating a bit of a mess. Since plantation shutters have a central toggle that allows the slats to open and close, you’ll need to be mindful of this while painting. If there’s too much paint or it dries clumpy, you won’t be able to open your slats and they’ll be left in a semi-permanent position of closure. While repainting your shutters can be done, you have to use precise brushes and scraping tools to make sure you don’t end up rendering your slats totally useless.
Cleaning
As with painting, cleaning will also be a bit of delicate operation, thanks to all the nooks and crannies you’ll have to contend with. If you have a duster that makes it easy to get in and out of hard-to-reach areas, this won’t be as hard to do. However, if you don’t keep up with cleaning your shutters, you might have to deal with a greasy, grimy residue that builds up over time. Plantation shutters aren’t like regular shutters that can be easily removed and cleaned. If you want to do a thorough job, you’ll have to use precision and try to wipe the central toggle with a cotton pad and cleaning solution to ensure that it doesn’t get too greasy or stuck from dirt buildup. If you have a small attachment for your vacuum cleaner, try using this before you try to dust or wipe down your blinds in order to minimize mess.
Style
Many people love plantation shutters simply for their look. In addition to being classic and striking in style, plantation shutters can also create dramatic mood lighting in certain rooms by causing the sun and shadow to filter in through the slats. If you’re someone who appreciates lightscaping and different ways of using natural light to sculpt and shape a room, you’ll enjoy all the different possibilities your plantation shutters offer.
Sun Exposure
Shutters aren’t just there to look pretty: They also exist to protect you and your home from sun-related damage. However, since most people enjoy the benefits of natural light, it’s not always the best idea to get blinds or shutters that completely block out the sun. Plantation shutters offer a unique way to customize, limit, or increase your home’s sun exposure. If you live in a hot climate and you’re not a fan of overheated rooms and a stuffy atmosphere, installing this style of shutter could help you get more control over your home atmosphere and create an interesting, visually dramatic look.
Home Value
You might not imagine that your choice of shutter could make a huge difference in terms of your home’s ROI. But believe it or not, plantation shutters have actually been shown to boost the value of the home. Since these shutters tend to be built of thicker wood and are often vintage models that came with the original property, they’re often treated as historical elements and used to up the sale of a home. Apart from that, your new plantation shutters are sure to boost curb value due to their unique, timeless appearance.
