I recently had plantation shutters installed on a wall of large windows in my master bath/closet/dressing room. I didn't want to use any window coverings at all, but found i needed the privacy. I have natural fir trim in my house, which naturally darkens with exposure to the sun, so I chose the natural cedar shutters. I didn't want a stain on them, since the trim around them is natural wood and the stains to pick from all looked like wood colored paint to me. The cedar is a med color with variations and blends really nicely with the fir.

I live in the Pacific NW, so few 90+ days here, plus they are on an eastern facing wall. I've only had them for 6+ months...I expect them to hold up well as they seem to be terrific quality.

I have had both stained and painted plantation shutters. They worked great and controlled the light very well. In both cases they were up for more then six years with no sign of wear. They need to be installed by experienced people. In both cases they needed to come out and fix the initial installation - I had them on some glass french doors and they were really heavy - I don't think I'd do that again.

We installed white painted wood plantation shutters over ten years ago and they're doing great. In fact, when we added on, we didn't want to get rid of the very large double window shutter from the old LR so we had the builder do a window the same size as the shutter. Perfect fit.

The shutters get 100+ temps and direct sun in the summer. But I tell ya, they are the best at keeping out hot and cold air if you have a drafty window.

One thing I like about them is if I want it dark inside just for the ambience, I close all the shutters!

Oh, we had our's custom made which was more costly but at least we knew the shutters were made with high quality and fit every window to a T.

We had the same company come out and do the new shutters and they're an hour and a half away.

I moved to San Antonio in 2009 (the year that had 60+ straight days of 100+ temperatures). We installed real wood but custom painted to match are moldings (not white, our trim is darker than our walls). So far all are holding up. We even have a window with real wood shutters in our garage area that doesn't get AC or heat.

Oly, so you're saying the wood doesn't shrink or expand? I'm planning to use a custom company here in Austin. I can't imagine doing a diy!

Archie, I won't be needing them on any French doors, so I guess that's a blessing, huh? The bedroom windows are from floor to ceiling, but I don't use them to go in and out. LOL

Oakleyok, exactly what I need! The MB seems cooler/hotter than the rest of the house, probably because of the large windows. I expect to pay more, but I know the quality, as well as the installation, will be better than one of those 'quickie' shutter places.

Tex, thank you so much for posting!! Yes, I remember that heat in '09~~according to what i've read on line, that's the 'new norm' for TX summers. I live in Austin, and our temps are about the same, HOT! What was the name of the company you used? There may be one in Austin, although i've found a local company that was given great reviews~I would like to get at least 2 estimates. My trim is about 4 shades darker than the walls, I never thought to get a custom color~that may be the way to go, thanks you.

Thanks everyone! ;o)

We have stained shutters in the former office. Been up maybe 15 years. They're traditional, not plantation. They have faded somewhat on the back side from sun exposure over the years.

Olychick, thank you so much for giving me a specific manufacturer! There is a Norman dealer here in Austin and i'm sending an email to get an in-home quote. The quality looks awesome, very sturdy, and sound very reputable. I know the stained will be beautiful, but dust(and dander/cat hair!)is something I have to deal with too. I have a house keeper come in sporadically, so will leave the dusting to her, since I know I won't do it. I'm 'stoked'!

Natal, you can't go wrong with the traditional shutters~I love the look! If plantations weren't available, that's probably what I would be getting. ;o)

Glad those summer will be warm. Now I freeze at temperatures lower than 95.

We went with Budget Blinds... 4 arched windows (2 very large) so went with 4 1/2 louvers with no divider rail).... it was $4500. They only charged a one time fee of $150 for custom color per order. We did get two other estimates one from Unique Windows ($5874) and Costco ($7424).

I am not sure if all homes in Texas are like steel cages (radium barrier, stucco, tinted window (metal)). That may help with fading but maybe to early to tell.

In our home in Colorado, we had Sherwood Shutters make custom shutters for our entire home. All the trim and doors in our home were oak, so we had the shutters made of oak as well. They were incredibly well built, and functioned perfectly. I haven't seen anything to compare.

Patty, we have Kirtz Shutters, and I checked their website and they do serve "part" of Texas. Here's the link and they have a fantastic gallery of pictures to look at to give you ideas.

They did Naomi Judd's shutters. lol

Here is a link that might be useful: Plantation Shutters

I'm not really partial to shutters myself, but one of my neighbors has them on their west-facing windows (FL) and they've held up very well over the years. I wouldn't be concerned about that at all.

Hey Patty, I'm just down the road from you and I have real wood stained plantation shutters. They face west and are totally closed all summer long - really helps to keep some of the heat out. We've had them for four years now and they look the same as the day they were installed. Really one of the better purchases we made for the house.

I have 2 wood shutters in my LR for 4 years with no issues. Just have to keep them dusted and look like new. I even had to remove them once to paint the walls. These are real wood and stained. The were much more expensive the if we went with white but we wanted the wood look. I think the brand you go with is important because all shutters aren't created equal. We went with Norman since I am very familiar with their quality.