Hunter Douglas, Manhattan,Long Island, PLANTATION SHUTTERS

April 9, 2011 - PRLog -- Hunter Douglas is an old and very large world-wide company.  So products carrying its brand name is 100% high quality. And available at Superior Interiors 212-671-0162
or in Nassau County 516-317-5091 and in Suffolk County 631-225-9600
http://www.wesellblinds.com

Talking About the General Idea of Plantation Shutters

In the first place, why does a homeowner want to install plantation shutters?  They make the home more comfortable and beautiful.  More comfortable because they control the amount of sunlight entering the room, thus reducing  glare and providing privacy.  They keep the room cooler during summer, and warmer during winter.
Units of plantation shutters consists of a frame of vertical members called stiles and horizontal members called rails (top, center and bottom). Set within this frame are louvers or slats (both operable or fixed, horizontal or vertical), of wood, faux wood, glass, fiberglass, aluminum or any other material. The unit is mounted on the window frame.  Either inside the room to serve as interior shutters, or outside the house on a window or door, to serve as exterior shutters.

Traditional shutters have slats that are 1-1/4” wide.  Whereas slats or louvers of  plantation shutters are from  2”, increasing in width by half inch increments up to 4-1/2”, which has the advantage of preserving the view outdoors.  The plantation shutters generally are fresher in design. They are available in different finishes to complement décor of the house. Because of their versatility they can be used in practically any window.
   

Plantation shutters are made of different materials:

Wood plantation shutters are very common.  However, there are some problems inherent to wood, specially the soft wood, such as warping, twisting, splitting, attack by insects and rotting.    To avoid them, the homeowner has the choice of certain hardwoods, specifically Spanish Cedar, Honduran Mahogany and Teak.  Being hardwoods, they are  resistant to rot and decay.  Also, the tannin in these woods protects them from insects. Hence, these hardwoods are far more durable than a softer wood like pine.

Other than wood plantation shutters, homeowners have the choice of faux wood which   looks like real wood. It has the beauty and feeling of warmth of wood.  Yet it has the durability of good composite materials, which are able to resist damage by insects, high humidity, twisting and rotting. Therefore, good composite plantation shutters are an excellent choice for kitchens and baths.

However not all synthetic materials are equally durable. Though PVC or vinyl shutters have the advantages of being moisture resistant and being cheaper, since this material can be arched and angled by makers for specialty shaped windows. And so they are good for humid environments like shower enclosures and places near Jacuzzis and sinks.  Yet, please check their disadvantage. They may lack structural strength, and so may have to be hinged with three or more hinges so they require additional hardware, and they may have the tendency to eventually sag in the sun.

Another material is fiberglass.  It is not prone to rotting or twisting. And because it has low expansion and contraction, its dimensions remain stable.   Fiberglass is a reinforced plastic, so it does not warp or sag much like the vinyl or PVC which are not reinforced. Its strength is comparable to aluminum. And it is not damaged by corrosion and electrolysis.

Regardless of which kind of plantation shutters you choose, provided you get yours from a reliable supplier, you will enjoy more the new looks and feel the greater comfort of your home or office after you have them installed.

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