Changing Trends in Wood Shutters

During the 1990s a new trend began to take hold in the United States, that of interior wooden shutters. This was a small part of a widespread increase in the use of window accessories in real wood. Unfortunately, wood shutters were on the high end of the price scale, so wood blinds became a viable alternative. As usually happens, the trend has now reversed, and instead of wood blinds, the market for wood shutters has become more popular, especially that of faux wood, a material that has the effect of wood but at a lower cost.

Why Choose Faux Wood

Consumers buy window shutters for both privacy and to shade the room from the rays of the sun. Unlike blinds, shutters can completely shade the room, thus letting less light into the room. Because faux wood shutters are usually made from PVC or a similar composite material, they can provide the consumers with all the advantages of real wood, including the attractiveness, without the cost factors involved with real wood.

How Trends Have Changed

In the past, wood blinds were a luxury only afforded the rich, but the development of the faux wood shutter has made them more affordable. In fact, the introduction of faux wood has even forced manufacturers of real wood to lower their prices in order to prevent a total loss of sales. This means that although more people can afford real wood shutters, fax wood shutters are still a less expensive option. This narrowing of the price gap between the two types of blinds means that approximately 50% of blinds currently sold in the US are fax wood while the percentage for shutters is likely to be within the same range.

Concern for the environment may also influence people into buying faux wood instead of real wood shutters because they are concerned with natural wood depletion and replacement. Of course, you may find some who will argue that natural wood is biodegradable material while PVC and composite materials may create additional future refuse disposal issues. For most consumers, these problems are not even a consideration, but it's important to take them into consideration for those who may make their decision based upon one of those issues.

Advantages of Faux Wood

Compared to real wood, faux wood shutters have the advantage when it comes to strength and damage resistance. For example, a faux wood shutter will not warp, fade or crack, and over long periods of sun exposure, PVC will keep its shape and texture far better than its real wood counterpart. Though many people may be able to tell the difference between real wood and faux wood, the purpose is to create a real wood "look" to the room that the casual observer fails to note from a distance.

Vinyl Shutters Guide

Buying vinyl shutters for the home can give your home that very stunning look and add that modern day look to your home. Vinyl shutters are very affordable and comes in many colors and styles. People like using vinyl shutters because you design them in the color of your choice, or you can paint them.

If you buy this type of shutter you can easily clean them and take care of them. Using these shutters can offer a durable affect for all types of weather because they come in a a hollow style structure that is very beneficial and it gives you the opportunity to control the amount of light you want to come through. These days people use more of the shutters because of the everlasting strength to protect against all types of stormy weather.

If you're trying to decide on which shutters to buy you might want to buy one with a wood effect. If you decide on buying the wood-type shutter you will find that this particular one will last you a lifetime. When you're making a choice you have the option to search around and look for the best prices and deals. You may decide to buy vinyl shutters because they really give the home a creative look and add that luxurious look.

Sometime if you're lucky you can find shutters for as little as $20 and less. This is definitely the way to change that boring look to a more modern look of today. You will be glad you bought vinyl shutters for your new improved home.

Different Types of Exterior Window Shutters

Many houses these days have some type of exterior window shutters installed, whether they are just decorative or actually functional. People like the way they look on houses, so they are usually an added selling point as well. Depending on your taste, there are a number of different styles of shutters you can consider for your home.

Colonial shutters are one type of exterior window shutter that is both functional and decorative. They can help with storm protection if they are hurricane rated. Usually these shutters come in panels with four sections of louvers that can be opened or closed to different degrees depending on the amount of light and privacy you would like. You can use two tiers of these shutters on taller windows or just one tier on the bottom for a cafe shutter style.

Another type of exterior window shutter you might want to consider are Bahama shutters. These are also functional, but unlike many shutters, they are hinged across the top instead of on the side, so they open away from the house. A shutter that covers an entire bank of windows can also be used as an awning to provide shade. Most Bahama shutters open to a 45 degree angle, although they can be opened just a small amount if that is what you prefer. They are usually made from aluminum and can also provide storm protection when closed.

For those who would like more solid shutters for their windows, board and batten shutters make a good option. These exterior window shutters can have either a separated board or joined board design. They come in many materials, from cedar to vinyl to composite materials, depending on your price range and preferences. They are available in various sizes and work well with curved windows as well as rectangular windows.

Louvered shutters are another common option for exterior shutters. Many homes use vinyl louvered shutters if they just want a decorative look since these are inexpensive and come in a wide variety of colors. Functional shutters are also available in wood and fiberglass and will help control the amount of light that gets into your home as well as ensuring your privacy.

Window Coverings With Style

Maybe I should amend the title to reading window coverings with "my" style

Problem is I don't know that "my style" has an official name ,but one window treatment that I can point to and say" that is totally my style " would be real wood plantation shutters ,done in a classic dark stain .

So what can we deduce from that , that I prefer classic ,elegant and refined with a simpleness about it , no overly ornate moldings no floral embellishments, something rather masculine in presence, oh and something the cat can't swing from.

I don't like drapes with their often numerous layers all trapping dust, decorative swags and lace furbelow s, cafe curtains and valances, layer upon layer of sheers, although all are very decorative there's just too much work involved with drapes. They have to be color coordinated every time you redecorate, they have to be taken down and washed or left in place and steam cleaned by contractors .They do not diffuse light very well in that they have to be either open or closed where as plantation shutters provide not only light control, privacy, ventilation, heat and sound insulation, and a sense of timeless dignified charm, and contribute a decorative element to any room to which they are added.

Even among other shutters and blinds the plantation shutter reigns supreme. Originally plantation shutters were all made from real hard wood panels and were hung on the outside of the window rather than the inside as is the more common practice today. They were used to keep out the elements particularly hurricane damage if that was an issue in your area. It was largely only the wealthy cotton plantation owners homes that these type of shutters were hung as it was only they who were in the financial position to commission a craftsman to fabricate and hang the shutters hence there name today "plantation Shutters"

These days plantation shutters are not just for the rich and famous nor these days are they only made from expensive hard woods, such as Alder, Poplar and Cedar of course you can still find them manufactured from these hard woods but today you are just as likely find them constructed from soft woods such as pine lime or basswood or even faux wood (composite wood).Add also to that list vinyl ,the shutter traditionalist will always prefer a real wood plantation shutter over a vinyl ones ,but vinyl shutters have their uses too as they are not as vulnerable to damp conditions as real wood nor drying out in extreme heat conditions or fading with the sun . But then again neither are real wood plantation shutters if appropriate care is taken a real wood shutter needs the same kind of care that you would bestow on any other piece of fine wooden furniture in your home.

Buying Wooden Shutters

If you're thinking about fixing up the home you may want to consider buying some wooden shutters for your windows. Improving the home can be very simple depending on what you want to do, in one thing you may want to do is give your windows a better look and style. The good thing about wooden shutters is that you can use them inside your home or outside your home. There are many kinds of styles to look for when you're choosing your wooden shutter and that simply depends on what match your home. When you're shopping for wooden shutters you definitely don't want to buy the first ones you see because some can be more expensive than others.

It's always best to shop around at a home improvement store and see what prices are offered and that depends on if you're looking for a more expensive style or a wooden shutter that is low priced. You can definitely update your home and give it that enchanting look by choosing wood shutters.

Most people buy the wooden shutters because they can make the outside of your home look good but most people overlook this because they think the inside of a home is always the most important. Whether people realize this or not, the first thing people notice is the outside of a house and that's why wood shutters play their role because they can be designed and painted in any color of your choice. People that are interested in improving their home's appearance will feel more comfortable in their home because of the new elegant look and feel.

Interior Wood Shutters - One of the Best Window Treatments

Interior wood shutters definitely help in providing great accent and beauty to any home window. That is why one should consider buying shutters and treating them as a good investment And why so? This is because they are included in the appraisal of any home property. Indeed, the natural look and features of window shutters make these treatments perfect additions to your abode.

What is great about interior wood shutters is the insulation value that they offer to home owners. Shutters are actually great in maintaining the temperature inside your home even with extreme temperature outside. Likewise, shutters are also effective in blocking the noise that is constantly being created outside the house. According to the housing experts, one inch of wood has an insulating value equivalent to that of a 14 inch concrete or 6 inch brick.

One of the significant benefits that they offer is the significant positive effects that they have to the environment. Wood is all natural, hence will not harm or damage our environment. This is in contrast to other shutter materials such as plastic, aluminum and other materials that are deemed to be harmful to the environment.

If you are going to purchase interior wood shutters, it is best that you check on the product as there are many wooden shutter products that are actually not made of wood. Some have actually very little if no wood content at all. The best authentic interior wood shutters are ones that are made from basswood and oak.

Plantation Shutters - What They Are, the Different Types and Their History

About Plantation Shutters

Shutters of varying types have been in use now throughout the world for over 100 years. Historically utilized as a protection mechanism against inclement weather, their function was to guard against the adverse effects of the sun, wind or rain dependent upon location and prevailing conditions.

In warmer climes it is common to see the fully closed shutter located on the exterior of a building. When closed this would guard against the heat of the sun and also protect against strong winds and dust storms.

In other locations, these same shutters would be used to protect against the effects of rainstorms, wind, seawater and corrosion.

What are Plantation Shutters?

Plantation Shutters are shutters made up of louvered slats. This feature allows for the regulation of sunlight, temperature, ventilation and privacy and also offers some protection against the elements. Popular as a practical solution to any of the above, plantation shutters have also become widely used as for aesthetic purposes, adding style and individuality to the facade of a building.

The Different Styles of Plantation Shutter

Plantation shutters are available in many different styles, shapes and sizes and they can be fitted either to the inside or outside of a window aperture.

Full Cover or Full Height Shutters

As the name suggests, a full cover or full height shutter will cover the entire window pane. Full height window shutters allow you to regulate lighting and ventilation whilst also increasing privacy and security. This type of shutter can be used in any room of the house and looks particularly impressive when fitted to both ground and first floor windows. Their simple styling and elegance easily transforms a building to the pinnacle of chic.

Cafe style Plantation Shutters

A Cafe style louver shutter covers just the bottom half of a window frame. As such it maximises the amount of light available whilst still providing the required amount of privacy. They are equally useful on both ground and first floors, lending understated elegance to the facade of any building. Popularised by French cafes and bars, Cafe style plantation shutters can be created in both louvered and solid panel styles, and come in a range of finishes including natural and painted wood.

Tier on Tier Shutters

A Tier on Tier Shutter is effectively a full height shutter, split into two sections with an upper tier and a lower tier. This allows one to be opened whilst the other remains closed and is ideal for maintaining privacy whilst at the same time, allowing in plenty of natural light.

The History of Plantation Shutters

Originating in America and the West Indies and dating back to before the American Civil War, the plantation shutter with its distinctive louvers was used widely in the large plantation houses, which needed protection from the sun but also wanted the benefits of a cooling breeze.

Since then, its popularity both as a utilitarian fixture and as a style statement has grown and their appeal now is almost worldwide.

Nowadays, a wide range of shutters is available for use both, internally or externally. They provide an attractive alternative to blinds and are particularly suited to homes in built up areas where maintaining privacy without compromising on natural light is important.