Julie Florio Photography
Mid-sized trendy open concept light wood floor and beige floor living room photo in New York with white walls, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace and a media wall

Photo by Donna Dotan Photography Inc.
Transitional laundry room photo in New York with white cabinets, a side-by-side washer/dryer and white countertops

Trendy medium tone wood floor bedroom photo in Los Angeles with white walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace

Jeff Garland
Transitional slate floor and brown floor laundry room photo in Detroit with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz countertops, beige walls, a side-by-side washer/dryer and white countertops

Example of a trendy l-shaped light wood floor, beige floor and vaulted ceiling kitchen design in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, an island and gray countertops

Benefits of Plantation Shutters Plantation shutters offer advantages and benefits to homeowners over other window coverings including: • A permanent addition to a house: While they don't add much to the sale price and don't guarantee a return on investment, the curb appeal helps the house sell faster. The permanency of plantation shutters allows them to be included in appraisals. • Versatility: Many have the ability to open only halfway if desired. If you want to let in all the light, plantation shutters swing away from the window to grant an unobstructed view. • Insulation: When all louvers are closed, a good insulating barrier is created, trapping unwanted temperatures and saving you money on your energy bill. • Easy maintenance: With wide louvers, a simple wipe-down is often all that's needed. Vinyl shutters can be taken off their hinges and sprayed off for a major cleaning. • Elegance: The classic, yet modern look conveys a permanency like no other window dressing can. Whether painted or natural wood, they all have a look that says; welcome home. Wood vs. Faux Wood It's not hard to argue that natural wood is more appealing than vinyl or PVC. However, "faux wood," as it's sometimes called, has some advantages: • Price -- Faux wood shutters are often lower in price than real wood. • Weight -- Because some shutters are made "hollow core" (as opposed to vinyl-wrapped medium density fiberboard, MDF), they can be significantly lighter. • Moisture Resistance -- If you live in an area with high humidity, hollow faux wood or aluminum core will resist expanding and sagging. (MDF core louvers will tend to expand and crack as the material swells with moisture.) Natural wood is the choice for those who have a very healthy budget or for whom a specific appearance is a must. Among the advantages are: • Size -- Because wood plantation shutters are made of hardwood, they can be quite a bit larger than plastic or vinyl. Vinyl shutters larger than 29 inches may be prone to sag, so they need divider rails or other supports which can destroy the traditional look of a plantation shutter. • Natural -- While vinyl or plastic shutters can be painted to match any color scheme, the natural shades and finishes of the various species of wood have something for every look. • Classic -- While many plastic shutters can be made to look like real wood, the faux wood finishes can vary significantly depending on manufacturer and model. Up close, it can be easy to tell they're plastic. The warmth of natural wood is a classic feel that's impossible to beat. Popular Plantation Shutter Brands When you go to purchase your plantation shutters, brands names may offer a good representation of high-, mid-, and low-cost range of what's available. Which one you choose depends on your budget and your tastes. Hunter-Douglas and Norman Shutters produce three lines of plantation shutters in both real wood and faux wood styles. A higher-end product, Hunter-Douglas may be worth the cost for beauty and quality of workmanship. The Window Outfitters and Sunland produce a mid-cost line of shutters. The mid-range pricing may be for those who are balancing aesthetics with a budget. National franchise and or box stores may not offer an in-house expert or designer. Look to local companies that specialize in plantation shutters looking online may offer a low-cost brand for budget-minded DIYers. Available in both faux and real wood, the affordability combines with the visual appeal to make this a very popular choice for plantation shutters. Regardless of which line you go with, be sure to ask about frames. Generally all manufactures offer frame choices and may add to the cost, but they add an unsurpassed beauty and warmth to a room with plantation shutters. Plantation shutters look like similar to wooden blinds, but there are significant differences. Blinds are often narrow, made of aluminum or vinyl, and the slats tilt based on a gear and pulley mechanism and they hang in the window with cords. By contrast, plantation shutters have wide compound louvers that fit into a frame and are controlled by way of a wooden rod running up the middle. When not needed, they can be manufactured to swing back onto the wall. Options to are available to build a more contemporary look with a larger view with a “hidden tilt” feature. Cost of Plantation Shutters Nationally, the cost of plantation shutters, depending on their size and the material, whether or not they are custom arches and colors or stains, may vary. Most manufacturers want their shutters to be professionally installed to keep the warranty intact which is a benefit to the customer in the long run. They will usually have a limited lifetime warranty. Cost of Installation Costs for having plantation shutters installed by a contractor are a bit more predictable. Contractors who have installed plantation shutters before can quickly get accurate measurements and suggest which materials would work best in different rooms. For example, while natural wood may look beautiful in your living room, it might not be so practical in a bathroom where moisture will cause the wood to warp. The size, material, and quality of the shutter will have a significant effect on the cost. Contractors usually go through a shutter supplier and can get various sizes that are not normally available at home improvement stores. Hiring a professional team of knowledgeable suppliers and installers is a good choice. Here are some sample prices of the shutters most contractors use for standard-sized windows: In general, plantation shutters should cost approximately $20 to $26 per square foot. Labor costs depend on factors such as the contractor's workload, remoteness of the location, environment, and the contractor's overhead. Labor generally runs about $100 per hour and will be added to the shutter cost. • 16x20 -- Faux wood $120. Real wood $156 • 24x50 -- Faux wood $160. Real wood $208 • 36x54 -- Faux wood $270. Real wood $351 • 36x60 -- Faux wood $300 Real wood $390 • 42x72 -- Faux wood $420. Real wood $546 • 48x82 -- Faux wood $550. Real wood $715 DIY Plantation shutters can be purchased and installed by the homeowners. How much they cost will depend on size and material. Faux wood shutter’s cost depends on size and wooden shutter’s cost will depend on size and whether or not they are painted or stained. • Natural wood is $90-$600 depending on size. Many companies offer standard stained selection but custom color matching may be available from $175 -$250. • Faux wood will be from $120-$500. • Additional tools include: Hang Strips $4-$15 and about $4 for mounting hardware. Locks or closures can cost up to $15 for each shutter. Finally, if you order them online, you can expect to pay $30-$70 shipping per shutter or per set of shutters per window depending on the supplier. Keep in mind that even if you're handy with tools, installing shutters can be time-consuming if you've never done it before there is defiantly a learning curve.

The kitchen is modern and is open to the breakfast area to the south.
Example of a mid-sized trendy l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen design in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, marble backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, white countertops and light wood cabinets

jeremy bittermann
Living room - contemporary open concept concrete floor living room idea in Portland with white walls

Example of a large beach style enclosed dark wood floor and brown floor living room design in Jacksonville with multicolored walls, a standard fireplace and a wood fireplace surround

Large transitional enclosed light wood floor living room photo in DC Metro with white walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Simplethings Photography Staging By Madison's Home Staging & Design This project is a good example of the range of tasks we are asked to undertake. We designed and specified cabinetry, layout and finishes for the kitchen, mud room, and home office. We also designed a custom fireplace wall utilizing semi-custom cabinetry line. Beautiful Cambria slab is was definitely everybody's favorite part of the project. To balance the high cost of this incredible material, we recommended a more cost-effective porcelain tile for the backsplash. Accessories, lighting and seating, selected by the client who has excellent taste and sense of design, finished out the project.

Interior Design by: Britt Carter
Inspiration for a timeless formal and open concept medium tone wood floor living room remodel in Chicago with gray walls and a standard fireplace

Tony Ciufo Builders, Photos by Nashua Video Tours/Fred Light. Virtual tour of this home available on YouTube and website link http://timberpeg.com/content/timber-frame-virtual-tours#mountholly.

Zeke Ruelas Photography
Mid-sized beach style formal and enclosed light wood floor and brown floor living room photo in Los Angeles with white walls, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace and no tv

Morgante Wilson Architects used Anne Sacks tile behind the vanity to add glamour to this Powder Room. The THG faucet is in polished nickel to add even more sparkle to this Powder Room.

Example of a trendy great room design in Santa Barbara with a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace

The family who has owned this home for twenty years was ready for modern update! Concrete floors were restained and cedar walls were kept intact, but kitchen was completely updated with high end appliances and sleek cabinets, and brand new furnishings were added to showcase the couple's favorite things. Troy Grant, Epic Photo

Inspiration for a large timeless formal and open concept living room remodel in New York with blue walls and a standard fireplace

Paul Lamb Architects
Inspiration for a transitional dark wood floor living room remodel in Austin with white walls