Plantation Shutters – Protecting and Enhancing

It's come to my attention that many people don't understand the term "Plantation Shutters". Sure, they know what they are, but don't understand the meaning of the name. Basically, it comes from back in the day when people were settling this great country of ours. They would travel from one place to the next, finding an area that best suited their needs. This differed for many people, but the majority of them were looking for areas with fertile soil and running water, so that they could start planting their own crops and carving out a home for themselves.

As they started settling in these areas, they began to realise that there was a price to be paid when it came to finding the perfect countryside. During a certain time of the year, Mother Nature would come and pay them a visit with such force that it literally shook their houses from the foundations. Storm season turned out to be a real threat for many of these settlers, and they started modifying the design of their houses to withstand these batterings. One of the best innovations that came out of this problem was plantation shutters, and now you know why they were called that, because they were first used in the plantations to protect the farmer’s homes. 

The plantation shutter is traditionally attached to the outside of the home. They are built into existing window frames and more often than not attached using hinges, which allow the shutters to be swung open against the side of the wall when they are not needed. They usually are built on a box shaped frame, sometimes with an extra horizontal length of wood travelling down the middle to give it more strength. This frame is then filled in with wooden slats, or louvers. One of the great benefits of this design is that it allows you to receive filtered light into your home while still maintaining your privacy.

Of course, nowadays plantation shutters aren't just limited to plantations; they have become immensely popular in homes all around the country. They add a country style and warmth that almost invites you in and makes you feel glad to be back home after a hard day at work. For people not living in areas that are threatened by storms, but still want the look of a shutter in their home, you can go one step further and have indoor shutters. The great thing about this option is that you don't need to go outside every time you need to close them up.

Traditionally, shutters have always been made out of wood, but if you are environmentally opposed to using that much wood on your windows, you could opt for vinyl shutters instead. Other than the ecological benefits, there are some other upsides to going with vinyl instead of wood. For instance, wood has a tendency to warp over time, especially in damp areas of your home. Vinyl is also a cheaper option, so if you are on a budget, you can still get that charming plantation look without breaking the bank.