In your search for window shutters, you may have come across the words 'plantation shutters,' and not had any idea what these types of coverings are, and how they can be of value to you. But after reading over this quick primer on plantation shutters, you'll not only know what they are and how they can enhance your home, but you'll be able to make a comparison between these shutters and the other types on the market.
WOOD CONSTRUCTION
Plantation shutters are made from genuine wood, which sets them apart from many shutters on the market that are made of composite wood, aluminum, hard plastic, vinyl, and metal. Some shutter companies will advertise plantation shutters that are actually made from composite wood, so it is advisable for you to ask if the shutters you are interested in buying are made from all-natural wood. One of the advantages of real wood shutters is that they form a much tighter seal when they are closed, preventing light and heat from entering your home in the summer, and retaining more heat in a room during the winter. If you are willing to pay more, you can also buy customized plantation shutters in a higher grade of wood, such as mahogany or oak.
MANUAL OPERATION
The majority of window shutters operate through the use of cords or strings, but plantation shutters are manually-operated, giving you more control over the level of light you want entering a room. The lack of strings or cords also makes these shutters ideal if you have small children or pets in the home because there is no danger of a choking or entangling.
HIGH R-VALUE and SUMMER SHADING COEFFICIENT
An 'R-value' refers to the amount of heat that a material can retain, while also keeping out cold. A 'summer shading coefficient' refers to the amount of heat that a material can reflect. The higher the R-value, the more heat a material retains, and the lower the summer shading coefficient, the more heat a material reflects. The coefficient number directly relates to the percentage of heat the material reflects, so a coefficient of .10, means that the material reduces heat by 90 percent. Plantation shutters have been measured with a 2.77 R value, and a summer shading coefficient of .21, which means that the shutters reduce heat by 79 percent. In comparison, vinyl shutters have a coefficient rating of .29.
Share