| When choosing new shutters as part of a home | | | | Ask the opinion of a carpenter if you are not |
| repair project you may be deciding whether | | | | sure whether your existing window structure |
| looks or practicality are more important | | | | will support the extra weight of hinged |
| features for your home. You can stop | | | | shutter panels. If you need to replace the |
| worrying, because with plantation shutters | | | | framework of the window, the project could |
| you can have the very best of both. | | | | cost more than you anticipated. Also note |
| Plantation shutters can be traced all the way | | | | that if you live in an area prone to |
| back to ancient Greece. They were used both | | | | hurricanes, plantation shutters may not |
| internally and externally in Greek | | | | provide the necessary level of protection and |
| architecture to provide a degree of both | | | | you should consider hurricane shutters. |
| privacy and safety. Influences of Greek | | | | |
| building styles, such as plantation shutters, | | | | Decide on the width of louver you require |
| can be seen throughout the western world. | | | | before you buy shutter panels. As well as the |
| | | | appearance, the louver size has an impact on |
| Before it became commonplace to glaze | | | | the shutter's functionality. The wider the |
| windows, shutters were used instead to | | | | louver, the greater the airflow into the room |
| protect the interior of buildings from the | | | | and the more light you will be able to let |
| elements and from intruders. They would be | | | | in. |
| opened during the day for increased | | | | |
| ventilation and to allow light into the | | | | You will need to consider which material you |
| property. | | | | prefer for your shutters. Although wooden |
| | | | shutters are the traditional choice and can |
| Greek influences were common in architecture | | | | produce a cozier effect, they may not be |
| in America throughout the eighteenth, | | | | suitable for humid climates or rooms where |
| nineteenth and twentieth centuries. This is | | | | they are likely to come into contact with |
| particularly evident in public buildings such | | | | water and steam. For these locations you may |
| as libraries, and government buildings. These | | | | decide to choose vinyl, which is also cheaper |
| influences were also evident in the great | | | | and easier to maintain than wood. |
| plantation mansions stretching from South | | | | |
| Carolina to Mississippi. Plantation owners | | | | Your final decision is whether you need fixed |
| wanted the same combination of beauty and | | | | or adjustable slats. Depending on the |
| privacy that the Greeks had valued; they also | | | | function of your shutters, moveable slats may |
| saw the aesthetic benefits of this style of | | | | not be necessary, for example if you are |
| shutter. They were also interested in | | | | planning on having them open all day and only |
| security, as these plantation areas were | | | | closing them at night. If you want the |
| isolated and not well populated. Plantation | | | | shutters closed during the day, adjustable |
| mansions were often targeted by robbers due | | | | slats are great for letting in air and some |
| to their locations association with wealth | | | | light. |
| and prosperity. | | | | |
| | | | Now you just need to find a quality supplier |
| Now you understand a little about the origin | | | | of plantation blinds, and reliable |
| of plantation shutters, you might be | | | | contractor, unless you intend to fit the |
| interested to learn how to choose the | | | | shutters yourself. If you are, ensure you get |
| appropriate shutters for your property. | | | | good advice from your home store, or various |
| | | | online sources before you begin the task. |