Clean, crisp, and efficient. It’s unsurprising that there is a growing demand for custom plantation shutters due to their ability to transform your home and improve energy efficiency. If you want to maximise those benefits, choosing custom shutters is the best way to go as it ensures that they are designed and fitted to your windows. Explore expert tips offered in this guide to help you choose custom plantation shutters that will transform your home.
Detailed Guide in Choosing Custom Plantation Shutters
Every home is unique, and so you need different window solutions. Use this guide on choosing custom plantation shutters to help you make an informed decision and create a window treatment that best fits your space.
Step 1: Assess Your Needs
Before you shop around, it’s best to start looking within your own home first. Take a step back and assess what type of protection you need for your home.
Do you want to effectively block out natural light in the morning? Do you need more privacy? Or do you prefer a window treatment that offers aesthetic value?
Your answers to these questions will largely determine your choice of window treatment, such as the size, design, material, and finish. The perfect window treatment should be a result of considering these factors to create the perfect plantation shutters for you.
If you are unsure about what to consider when choosing custom plantation shutters, ask the experts. Consult an expert plantation shutter company in Melbourne or those in your area to guide you through the process.
Step 2: Know Your Budget
Plantation shutters come in a range of prices, so you should set a budget to narrow your options. Setting your budget eliminates the hassle of doing all the work in choosing the materials and designs only to find out that you cannot afford them.
Ask a local plantation shutter installer about the cost of certain materials and shutter sizes. Use the quotes to compare your options so you know what would fit the needs and budget of your home.
Step 3: Choose the Shutter Material
The material of the plantation shutter is among the primary factors to consider so it is best to start with that. Common materials are wood, aluminium, PVC, and composite materials.
The choice of material determines the aesthetic appeal and functionality. Also, it will impact the cleaning and maintenance of the plantation shutters.
Learn about the pros and cons of each material to help you pick what’s right for your home. In addition, consider your location in choosing materials. Certain materials are more prone to damage when exposed to certain environmental factors, so keep that in mind when choosing the best material for your custom plantation shutters.
Step 4: Determine the Louvre Sizes
The louvres are an important part of the plantation shutters as they control the opening and closing of the shutters. Depending on how wide or narrow the louvres are, it will impact the amount of light that enters your home.
The larger the louvre size, the more light you allow into a space. Common louvre sizes range from two to five-and-a-half inches wide. However, you can choose a custom louvre size aside from the off-the-shelf options.
Aside from impacting how much light passes through the louvres when you open or close them, it also affects the overall look of the plantation shutters. If you choose narrow louvres, they look busier since there are more slots to fill. Consider this based on your desired look for your home and windows.
Step 5: Pick a Shutter Style
Determine the best style of plantation shutters that complements the architectural look and interior design of your home. While plantation shutters have a timeless and classic design, a custom shutter that complements the architecture of your home adds to its enduring appeal.
Consult with an expert plantation shutter team about your design options to help pick a style that has maximum impact.
Step 6: Choose Your Finish
Next on the list of things to consider when transforming your home with plantation shutters is the finish. There are two-fold benefits to picking the right finish for your window treatment.
First, the material finish protects it from the environmental elements, such as the harsh UV rays from the sun. When exposed to the elements, it can speed up the deterioration of the material so you must choose your finish wisely.
Second, it affects the overall aesthetic appeal that plantation shutters offer your home. It provides opportunities to achieve a complementary style that makes your interior space look cohesive and polished.
Paint is the best finishing material for your plantation shutters. Some paints offer additional protection against the elements, including the sun’s UV rays. You have a wide selection of colours of paint and finishes to consider, from gloss to matte and ultra-sheen. Aside from paint, staining is another popular choice of finish for plantation shutters. You can choose depending on whether you want it to complement other design elements in a room or you want the plantation shutters to become the focal point aesthetically.
Step 7: Consider the Tilt Rods and Framing
The tilt rod is a device that runs down the middle of the shutter. It is crucial in operating the louvres. When you hold the tilt rod and tilt it upwards, it opens the louvres. When you tilt it downwards, it closes.
Aside from the standard operations, you can customise the operation of the tilt rods to increase the functionality of the shutter or to make it unique.
In addition to the tilt rod, consider the framing when customising plantation shutters. A standard frame can get the job done, but you can choose a custom framing design if you want something that is aesthetically more appealing.
Step 8: Choose the Mounting Option
The final thing to consider with a custom plantation shutter is the mounting. You have two options available: inside or outside mounts.
An inside-mounted plantation shutter is set back within the window frame. This mounting option offers a clean, polished appearance for the installation of the plantation shutters. Since the window treatment sits flush with the walls, it allows for a clean look.
On the other hand, an outside mount is the best option if you have a shallow window sill. They are mounted to the wall outside of the window or above the existing window trim and protrude from inside the room rather than blending into the interior walls.
