What Are Plantation Shutters?
When many homeowners think of shutters, they think of stationary panels that hang to the side of windows outside the home. But plantation shutters one of the most classic, sought-after looks in home design—but many homeowners don’t even know about them.
At SunGard Window Fashions, we have two window treatment showrooms, in Peoria and Bloomington, IN. We’re here to answer questions like, What are plantation shutters, exactly, and what makes them different from other window treatment options?
Here's a clear rundown of how interior shutters work and what to consider when choosing them for your Central Illinois home.
The Basics: What Are Plantation Shutters?
Plantation shutters are also known as “interior shutters.” Unlike the styles of shutters that sit outside the home, these solid window coverings are alternatives to blinds or shades and can be hung in a frame, set on a track, or built directly into the window frame.
Unlike blinds that hang from a headrail or shades that pull up and down, shutters are a semi-permanent, built-in fixture that adds value to your home. They feature wide, horizontal louvers set into a panel, which you tilt to control light, airflow, and privacy. The panels themselves open on hinges like small doors or slide along a track for wider windows and patio doors.
Because they're a fixed part of the window, plantation shutters for windows have a tailored, architectural look that many homeowners love, and as a permanent improvement, they can add lasting appeal to your home.
Materials Make a Difference
The material your shutters are made from affects their look, durability, and where they work best. Hunter Douglas offers three shutter lines, each with its own strengths.
Hunter Douglas Heritance® Wood Shutters are crafted from real wood, offering timeless beauty and a rich, natural grain. They can be customized to fit unique window shapes and come in a wide range of stains and paint finishes, making them ideal for a living room, dining room, or bedroom where you want classic wood warmth.
Hunter Douglas NewStyle® Composite Shutters combine real wood with advanced composite materials. The result is a shutter with the beauty of wood and extra durability, a smart middle-ground option that holds up well in busy households.
Hunter Douglas Palm Beach™ Polysatin™ Vinyl Shutters are made from a UV-resistant Polysatin™ compound and are guaranteed never to warp, crack, fade, chip, peel, or discolor, even in heat and moisture. This makes them the go-to choice for kitchens, bathrooms, and other humid spaces where real wood might struggle.
Louver Size Shapes the Look
People don’t often consider louver size when first shopping for shutters, but it has a big effect on both style and function. Hunter Douglas Palm Beach™ Polysatin™ Shutters, for example, come in three louver sizes: 2½, 3½, and 4½ inches.
Choosing the right louver size comes down to your window size and the style you're after. Smaller louvers give a more traditional, detailed appearance and suit smaller windows. Larger louvers offer a cleaner, more contemporary look, and because there are fewer of them across the window, they provide a wider, less obstructed view when open and let in more light.
Find Your Perfect Shutters at SunGard Window Fashions
Plantation shutters bring together timeless style, everyday function, and lasting quality. At SunGard Window Fashions, our team will help you sort through the options and find the perfect fit for your windows and your home.
With showrooms in
Bloomington and
Peoria, we proudly serve Central Illinois. Contact us today or visit a showroom to explore Hunter Douglas plantation shutters in person, and let's bring your windows to life.
