We also have a large grouping of windows like yours and I find the shutters to be a perfect solution, I really like the classic white look without added drapes. I am more likely to not get tired of white and, as you mention, the shutters are an investment. If you plan to keep your trim white I would suggest going with white shutters. We elected to have "breaks" in the shutters that follow where our windows open and I also like this much better than a solid louvered shutter. I've added pictures with the shutters open to try and show this- although they are a bit dark.

We have wood in the main house and bedrooms and synthetic in the kitchen behind our sink. I have had no problems with either and really don't even notice a difference between the materials. I'm honestly not sure what type of synthetic material ours are but they were purchased through JC Penny.

Looks like you have a beautiful space to work with, I hope you will post pictures of what you end up doing. Good luck!

I do like the look of your shutters! Are those 3.5" louvers?

We recently did plantation shutters in our house - we are in Myrtle beach and have a "charleston type house/neighborhood"...we opted for the ones without a bar in the middle to adjust...the mechanism is hidden on the inside...there are different versions of this - ours was definitely an upgrade and we love them!!!

Polywood shutters by Sunburst Shutters is a good non wood shutter. If you go on their website, you can locate a dealer in your area.

I am trying to make a similar decision between wood and wood-look shutters. The company that we are considering offers their shutters without the centre bar. Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

lukaweckyk: By "centre bar" do you mean the tilt rod? I prefer having the tilt rod from a looks point of view.

Update:

I had an in-home consultation for
Polywood and Polycore. Both are nice products and I couldn't tell
the difference between the wood sample and either the Polywood or the
Polycore. I know others can but I couldn't.

Polywood requires 2 panels for each of
my 34” windows while Polycore allows a choice of 1 panel or 2. I
prefer 1 panel since it allows more light in and a better view.

The Polywood estimate was $2k higher
than the Polycore estimate for 450 sq ft of windows (1 window is arched). I'm not sure why and I didn't get a
reply when I asked in email.

What I forgot to ask the consultants is what does
the window sill look like when the frame is installed and
the panel is open? I'm curious because my cats like that area:

Shutters are a beautiful solution for your space. On my own homes, I have personally used Norman composite shutters, Eclipse polyresin shutter, Hunter Douglas New Style Shutters, and Hunter Douglas Palm Beach. Based on your needs for 36" panel, hidden tilt, scratching from cats, durability, 4.5" vane, white color, and costs, I would find a local Eclipse Distributor and give them a call. I think they would be a great option. I feel they make one of the best polyresin shutters on the market. Below is the Eclipse shutter used on my outdoor patio when I lived in FL. They are easy to maintain too. You can remove the panels easily, hose off with soap and water, and reinstall.

In regards to the frame question, If you do a decorative trim Z frame, they use the existing sill and place a flat sill plate on top or some companies just do a 3 sided frame with no sill plate. I prefer the sill plate because it doesn't let the light filter through on the bottom.

Hello

New home buyer here - new construction. I would like to add plantation shutters throughout the house. I have 35 windows for a total of 472 sq feet.

The design center gave me the option to add Hunter Douglas Palm Beach plantation shutters made of Polysatin for 18k.

I thought the price was too high but wanted to hear from you and get advise on whether I should wait and do shutters after I get the house.

Also are Hunter Douglas shutters worth the price? is Polysatin better than Polywood or Polycore?

Leaning towards 3.5 inch louvers throughout the house

Any advice would be much appreciated

I have worked with many different shutter companies over my years. I have had Hunter Douglas New Style(composite wood), HD Palm Beach(poly), Norman shutters( composite), and Eclipse(poly) in my 2 homes. From experience, I personally love the Norman and HD New Style composite shutters the best. They are stronger , the slats hold there shape the best, and they look richer. However, the poly shutters are great for a bathroom or a bedroom window that you leave open at night. Water won't damage the poly shutter. I have found that the vane on the poly sags on a wider shutter.

You might want to have Norman shutters priced out too. They are the leader in shutters and their prices are a bit less. I would also get one more bid for the shutters you decide on to make sure the quote is fair.

The Palm Beach and the Polywood are both good products, we sell them both. The Palm Beach is a hollow core shutter while the Polywood is a solid material. Depending on your design and layout, one may work better for you than the other. Itai0001-where are you located?