Plantation Shutters - Aesthetic and Functional

Sometimes it can be hard to come up with decor solutions in your home that give you the aesthetics of the traditional style of interior design, while still providing the functionality you need to keep your home running smoothly. This is particularly true for window coverings, and there is no more important place to get your design right. Sometimes the best thing that you can do is go right back to the original styles, and the plantation shutter is one such style of window covering that has stood the test of time. All other window shutters were originally created around the design of the plantation shutter, and even though there are many different styles out there today, this one remains a favourite across the nation.

The plantation shutter is made up of horizontal louvers attached to a frame. The moveable style of plantation shutters have a rod that runs down the middle of these slats, and allows you to open and close them as needed.

Tilting the slats at the right angle will allow you to enjoy a filtered light inside your home, while still retaining your privacy. Plantations are, of course, not the only style of shutter available. The term plantation actually describes the width of the slats. The plantation shutter has much thicker slats, and is more suited for bigger windows. If you have a smaller window that you would like to install shutters on, you will need to look at a smaller sized slat.

The next question you need to ask yourself is whether you want your shutters on the inside or outside of your home. If the shutters are on the inside, and are hinged for opening and closing, you will need to make sure that you have enough clearance either side of your window to ensure the shutter can be opened fully. While they can be used to great effect on the inside of your house, they are not going to protect your windows from severe storms and flying debris. This is traditionally what shutters were used for, and they continue to be a great safeguard for your home. But if you don't live in an area that has bad storms, you can still use shutters simply for their classic look.