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a guide how to choose custom plantation shutters

How to Choose Custom Plantation Shutters: A Step-by-Step Guide

Explore Expert Tips on How to Choose Custom Plantation Shutters for Your Home

grey dining room

Hey there, Sunshine State homeowners! Ready to transform your home with stylish, functional, and oh-so-elegant window treatments? Look no further than custom plantation shutters! These beauties are a fantastic way to enhance your home’s aesthetic appeal and offer many practical benefits, such as energy efficiency, increased property value, and superior light control.

If you’re living in sunny Southwest Florida, from the charming streets of Alva to the bustling beaches of Fort Myers, the serene vistas of Lehigh Acres, or the vibrant communities of Estero, Naples, Babcock Ranch, and Cape Coral, this guide on how to choose custom plantation shutters is tailor-made for you. 

We’re here to help you choose the perfect custom plantation shutters for your home, making the process as simple and stress-free as a day at the beach!

Custom plantation shutters are a timeless addition and a long-term investment in your home’s comfort and style. They provide versatile privacy options,  added property value, and light control, and contribute to energy savings by insulating your windows. Moreover, they’re incredibly durable and easy to maintain, ensuring worry-free enjoyment for years.

Whether you’re looking to create a cozy retreat in your living room, add a touch of elegance to your bedroom, or enhance the functionality of your kitchen, custom plantation shutters are the way to go. 

In this guide, we’ll cover everything from measuring your windows and selecting the suitable materials to choosing the perfect style and color to complement your home’s decor. We’ll also discuss the importance of professional installation to ensure a flawless finish.

So, if you’re ready to learn how to choose custom plantation shutters that suit your needs and preferences, read on!

We promise to make the process simple, enjoyable, extremely knowledgeable and tailored to the unique charm of Southwest Florida living. Let’s dive in and discover how custom plantation shutters can elevate your home’s beauty and functionality!

Why Choose Custom Plantation Shutters

why choose custom plantation shutters

Custom plantation shutters offer many advantages, making them a top choice for homeowners upgrading their window treatments. You must be thinking the same thing since you’re searching for “How to Choose Custom Plantation Shutters?” Let’s discuss some key benefits of choosing this popular window treatment.

Critical Benefits of why you should choose custom plantation shutters:

how to choose custom plantation shutters

  • Energy Efficiency: Plantation shutters provide excellent insulation, helping to keep your home cool in the hot Southwest Florida summers and warm during the cooler months. Their adjustable louvers allow you to control the amount of sunlight entering your home, reducing the need for air conditioning and heating and ultimately lowering your energy bills.

  • Increased Home Value: Installing custom plantation shutters can significantly boost your home’s resale value. With their timeless appeal, durability, and practicality, these shutters add a touch of elegance to any room, making your home more attractive on the market. Plantation Shutters are often considered real property since they are built into your home like crown moulding and trim. This makes plantation shutters the only window treatment that does not lose any value over time.

  • Aesthetic Appeal: Custom plantation shutters are available in many styles, materials, and finishes, offering many options to match perfectly with your home’s décor. Whether you prefer a classic or contemporary look, plantation shutters can be customized to reflect your style and enhance your living spaces’ beauty.

Custom Plantation Shutters are ideal for Southwest Florida’s Climate.

Living in Southwest Florida means enjoying plenty of sunshine and experiencing high humidity. Custom plantation shutters are ideally suited for this climate for several reasons:

How to choose custom plantation shutters for my home sun protection

  • Sun Protection: The intense sunlight in Southwest Florida can be both a blessing and a challenge. Plantation shutters allow you to control the amount of light entering your home, protecting your furniture, floors, and artwork from harmful UV rays while letting in natural light. 

  • Humidity Resistance: The humid climate in Southwest Florida requires window treatments that can withstand moisture without warping or deteriorating. Our plantation shutters are crafted from high-quality wood that is treated to resist humidity, just like the wood used in your doors, baseboards, and trim. If the wood in your home withstands the climate without issues, so will our expertly crafted shutters. We back our wood shutters so much that we offer a lifetime warranty. We provide a high-quality solid core composite shutter in extra humid areas that may be exposed to water.

  • Ventilation and Airflow: Plantation shutters can be adjusted to allow for optimal airflow, helping to keep your home fresh and ventilated. This is especially important in Southwest Florida, where good airflow can help prevent mold and mildew growth.

Choosing custom plantation shutters for your Southwest Florida home enhances its beauty and functionality and ensures that your window treatments can easily handle the local climate. Whether enjoying a sunny day in Fort Myers or a humid evening in Naples, plantation shutters offer the perfect blend of style and practicality.

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Choose Custom Plantation Shutters

a guide how to choose custom plantation shutters

Step 1: Determine Your Needs

  • Functionality: Consider what you need from your plantation shutters. Are you seeking increased privacy, aesthetics, better light control, or improved insulation? Custom plantation shutters can provide all these benefits, making them a versatile choice for any room in your home. Be sure you let your window treatment specialist know the goal you’d like to accomplish with your custom plantation shutters.

  • Local Considerations: Living in Southwest Florida means dealing with intense sunlight. Plantation shutters can help manage the strong sunlight, protecting your interiors from UV damage. 

Step 2: Measure Your Windows

  • Professional Help: Accurate measurements ensure a perfect fit for your custom plantation shutters. We highly recommend seeking professional help to measure your windows precisely. Our expert team in Southwest Florida can provide this service during a free consultation, ensuring that your shutters are made to fit your windows perfectly. Professional measurements also ensure there are no extra gaps or misalignments.

Step 3: Choose the Right Material

  • Materials Overview: When selecting the material for your plantation shutters, you have several options, including wood, faux wood, and vinyl. However, Southern Exposure Window Coverings and Finish Services believes wood is often superior. Wood can be painted, stained, and fixed if it’s other damaged. 

  • Local Insight: High-quality wood plantation shutters are designed to resist warping and moisture damage, making them ideal for this climate. While some might worry about wood warping, it’s important to note that the wood used for plantation shutters is treated and finished to withstand humidity, just like the wood used in your home’s doors, baseboards, and trim. If the wood in these areas of your home endures the climate well, so will your plantation shutters. This ensures durability and longevity, providing a timeless and elegant look that complements the other wood elements in your home.

Step 4: Select a Style

Popular Styles: There are several popular styles of plantation shutters to choose from:

full height plantation shutters

  • Full Height: Covers the entire window, providing a clean and cohesive look.

tier on tier plantation shutters

  • Tier-on-Tier: This system offers two separate panels that can be operated independently, allowing for flexible light control and privacy options.

cafe style plantation shutters

    • Café Style: Covers the lower half of the window, providing privacy while allowing natural light to enter from the top.

Local Preferences: 

In Southwest Florida, many homeowners prefer styles that maximize natural light while offering ample privacy. Full-height shutters are famous for their sleek, uniform appearance, while tier-on-tier shutters are favored for their versatility. Café style is sometimes chosen for kitchens and dining areas where a balance of light and privacy is desired. Unless otherwise requested, the “standard shutter ” is always the full-height shutter.

Step 5: Pick the Perfect Color

  • Color Choices: Choosing the right color for your plantation shutters is essential to ensure they complement your existing décor. Options range from classic whites and neutrals to rich wood stains that highlight the material’s natural beauty. Our standard wood plantation shutters are made out of Poplar wood. Poplar wood can be painted but is not the best wood for staining. An upgraded custom option you have when choosing your plantation shutter color is staining. All our stained plantation shutters come in Basswood. When selecting to match a color or creating a custom stain, wood is your only option as the color options are limited with a vinyl product, and they can not be stained or repainted.
  • Local Trends: In Southwest Florida, lighter shades such as white and off-white are popular as they reflect sunlight and enhance the airy, coastal vibe of the area. However, deeper wood tones can add warmth and elegance, especially in more traditional or rustic home settings. All our plantation shutters are painted extra white unless you request an additional color.

Step 6: Consider Customization Options

Custom plantation shutters offer various options to tailor them to your specific needs and style preferences. See plantation shutter customization options below!

  • Louver Sizes: Choose from different louver (wood slats) sizes to control the amount of light and privacy. Larger louvers provide a more modern look and allow more light, while smaller louvers offer a traditional appearance. Louver sizes range from 2 1/2 to 4 1/2, the standard louver size is 3 1/2.

plantation shutter louver size options

  •  
    • Tilt Rod Options: Decide between a visible tilt rod for a classic look or a hidden tilt rod for a more streamlined, modern appearance.
  • hidden tilt custom plantation shutter vs standard tilt 
    • Frame Styles: Select from various frame styles to match your window design and architectural features.

plantation shutter wood frame types

Local Preferences:

Homeowners in Southwest Florida often favor larger louvers to maximize natural light and maintain views of the beautiful surroundings. Hidden tilt rods are also famous for their clean, uncluttered look. Custom frame styles can enhance the unique architectural details of homes in the region, adding to the overall aesthetic appeal.

Step 7: Professional Installation

  • Importance of Professional Installation: Professional installation is crucial for achieving the best results with your custom plantation shutters. Proper installation ensures the shutters fit perfectly, operate smoothly, and provide optimal functionality. It also guarantees they are securely mounted, which is essential for their durability and effectiveness.
  • Our Services: At Southern Exposure, we offer expert installation services in Southwest Florida. Our experienced professional installers are skilled in handling all aspects of the installation process, ensuring a seamless fit and flawless operation. Trust us to deliver top-quality service and exceptional craftsmanship, making your custom plantation shutters a beautiful and lasting addition to your home.

In Conclusion...

plantation shutters in fort myers beach florida

Choosing the perfect custom plantation shutters for your home can seem daunting, but with the right guidance, it can become a delightful experience.

 From understanding your needs and measuring your windows to selecting the ideal material, style, and color, each step brings you closer to transforming your living space into a haven of elegance and functionality. 

In Southwest Florida’s sunny and humid climate, plantation shutters enhance a home’s beauty and offer practical benefits like energy efficiency and UV protection.

At Southern Exposure, we pride ourselves on offering top-quality custom plantation shutters and professional installation services. Our experienced team is dedicated to helping you make the best choices for your home, ensuring a seamless and satisfying experience from start to finish.

Ready to transform your home with custom plantation shutters? Book your FREE Consultation today!

Contact Information:

  • Phone: 239.560.2062

Let us help you create a beautiful, comfortable home with the perfect custom plantation shutters. Contact us today to take the first step toward elevating your home’s style and comfort!

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