Understanding Interior Design

Your Window Treatments: What You Should Know About Plantation Shutters

When you are in the mood to install new window treatments in your home, you may find yourself wondering where you should begin. After all, there are a myriad of options available to you including varieties of draperies, blinds, and shutters.

While blinds and/or curtains are the most common and basic window treatment options available, if you are looking for a more unique option, you could do no better than plantation blinds. Plantation blinds are named as such because of their prevalence in early architectural design in the deep South of the United States. Get to know a bit more about how plantation blinds can work for you when you update your window treatments. 

Add a Touch of Class and Elegance

Plantation blinds were so prevalent in architecture in the early Southern United States for many reasons, chief among them for their aesthetic appeal and elegance. Plantation shutters are generally made up of wider shutter panels than other options and were originally made out of high-quality hardwoods and were whitewashed or painted to match decor. 

Plantation shutters come in their own frame, creating a clean and polished look to your window treatments. Additionally, plantation shutters do not require the use of draperies or curtains to block out light. They are designed to fully regulate the amount of light coming in through your windows, and when shut completely, block out unwanted light. 

Consider Safety For Children And Pets

Plantation blinds are opened and shut using a louvre that is built into the center of each panel. This means you have no strings or cords to worry about. Blinds and curtains on the other hand can have various cords and strings that can cause problems when you have children or pets in your home. 

Cats, for example, often see the cords to blinds as a fun toy to play with and can get caught or tangled in them or can even accidentally pull the blinds down completely when they try to play with the cord. Children can also get tangled in the cords and can cause themselves serious injuries in the process. Plantation blinds are safer for homes with pets and children precisely because they lack these extra elements.

Use Less Energy And Effort

Finally, plantation shutters are also energy efficient and low maintenance. The heavier and denser wood of plantation shutters works as an excellent insulator for your windows, helping to block out drafts and prevent unwanted air exchange between the outdoors and your home. Additionally, the precise control you have with plantation shutters over how much light is allowed into your home provides further energy efficiency. 

Cleaning your plantation shutters is also far easier than standard blinds and draperies. Cleaning aluminum blinds can be troublesome as each individual blind must be thoroughly dusted and cleaned carefully so as not to damage the light, thin material. Curtains and draperies must be removed completely to wash and clean. Plantation shutters on the other hand, are sturdy and strong and only require a quick dusting for cleaning. 

As you can see, plantation shutters are an excellent option for you when you are looking to change up your home window treatments. So, as you plan your next interior design improvement project, consider adding plantation shutters to your new design. (For more information, contact Blinds And Designs Of Florida)


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