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.

This 5,077 square foot Traditional Coastal Colonial custom home was designed by P2 Design. The home displays harmonious symmetry, with a horizontal white siding façade, van deusen blue wood shutters that complement the tasteful matching paneled front door, and natural stone chimneys. The architectural style fits neatly in the neighborhood by drawing on the surrounding colonial homes, giving it a touch of history, and blending it with a more casual traditional coastal appearance. Photos by Latham Architectural

Mid-sized southwestern beige two-story mixed siding gable roof idea in Austin

I was hired to buy all the furniture and accessories, bring them in and place them so that the owners who lived abroad could rent this condo out furnished. This included pots and pans, towels, cutlery etc. Everything so that the renter could move right in. It was challenging but the result was rewarding. If you are thinking about furnishing your condo or home so that you can rent it out or furnish it with the goal of selling it, give us a call. We work with realtors who pay some of our costs. Call us at 514-222-5553

I was hired to buy all the furniture and accessories, bring them in and place them so that the owners who lived abroad could rent this condo out furnished. This included pots and pans, towels, cutlery etc. Everything so that the renter could move right in. It was challenging but the result was rewarding. If you are thinking about furnishing your condo or home so that you can rent it out or furnish it with the goal of selling it, give us a call. We work with resltors who pay some of our costs. Call us at 514-222-5553

Our Birch & White elfa décor Reach-In Closet is tailor-made for your wardrobe. There's room for hanging garments, shelves and racks for shoes and accessories plus drawers for folded clothes. The fine weave of the mesh and closed corners of the drawers prevent smaller items from falling through.

Boy's reach in closet in secret modern panel.
Example of a small transitional men's carpeted reach-in closet design in Phoenix with flat-panel cabinets and light wood cabinets

I was hired to buy all the furniture and accessories, bring them in and place them so that the owners who lived abroad could rent this condo out furnished. This included pots and pans, towels, cutlery etc. Everything so that the renter could move right in. It was challenging but the result was rewarding. If you are thinking about furnishing your condo or home so that you can rent it out or furnish it with the goal of selling it, give us a call. We work with resltors who pay some of our costs. Call us at 514-222-5553

I loved staging this newly renovated house! The owners modernized the fireplace and added some natural wooden suspended shelving. The property sold right away! If you are planning on selling your property, give us a call. We work with some great realtors who will pay for some of our staging. Call 514-222-5553. We have been in business for over 10 years.

I was hired to buy all the furniture and accessories, bring them in and place them so that the owners who lived abroad could rent this condo out furnished. This included pots and pans, towels, cutlery etc. Everything so that the renter could move right in. It was challenging but the result was rewarding. If you are thinking about furnishing your condo or home so that you can rent it out or furnish it with the goal of selling it, give us a call. We work with resltors who pay some of our costs. Call us at 514-222-5553

Bathroom features new trend design in porcelain tile with a European flair. The feature wall with the design pattern has 13 different tiles to a set per box. Has matching 8"x8" tiles as well as 20"x20" and different colors. Go ahead give us a call we will find out the best color for your project!

Stephani Buchman Photography
Laundry closet - mid-sized eclectic single-wall marble floor and white floor laundry closet idea in Toronto with flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, gray walls and a concealed washer/dryer

I was hired to buy all the furniture and accessories, bring them in and place them so that the owners who lived abroad could rent this condo out furnished. This included pots and pans, towels, cutlery etc. Everything so that the renter could move right in. It was challenging but the result was rewarding. If you are thinking about furnishing your condo or home so that you can rent it out or furnish it with the goal of selling it, give us a call. We work with realtors who pay some of our costs. Call us at 514-222-5553

The decorative mullions on the glass cabinetry add elegance and visual interest to this classic white kitchen.
Large elegant l-shaped dark wood floor eat-in kitchen photo in Chicago with an undermount sink, white cabinets, granite countertops, gray backsplash, stone tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and recessed-panel cabinets

Most of the renovations I see use quartz for their countertop choice. This renovator used a gorgeous granite. I still find there is nothing like the look of real stone. If you are planning on selling your property, give us a call. We work with some great realtors who will pay for some of our stagings. Call 514-222-5553. We have been in business for over 10 years.

Inspiration for a transitional living room remodel in New York

Most of the renovations I see use quartz for their countertop choice. This renovator used a gorgeous granite. I still find there is nothing like the look of real stone. If you are planning on selling your property, give us a call. We work with some great realtors who will pay for some of our stagings. Call 514-222-5553. We have been in business for over 10 years.

Lincoln Farmhouse LEED-H Platinum, Net-Positive Energy OVERVIEW. This LEED Platinum certified modern farmhouse ties into the cultural landscape of Lincoln, Massachusetts - a town known for its rich history, farming traditions, conservation efforts, and visionary architecture. The goal was to design and build a new single family home on 1.8 acres that respects the neighborhood’s agrarian roots, produces more energy than it consumes, and provides the family with flexible spaces to live-play-work-entertain. The resulting 2,800 SF home is proof that families do not need to compromise on style, space or comfort in a highly energy-efficient and healthy home. CONNECTION TO NATURE. The attached garage is ubiquitous in new construction in New England’s cold climate. This home’s barn-inspired garage is intentionally detached from the main dwelling. A covered walkway connects the two structures, creating an intentional connection with the outdoors between auto and home. FUNCTIONAL FLEXIBILITY. With a modest footprint, each space must serve a specific use, but also be flexible for atypical scenarios. The Mudroom serves everyday use for the couple and their children, but is also easy to tidy up to receive guests, eliminating the need for two entries found in most homes. A workspace is conveniently located off the mudroom; it looks out on to the back yard to supervise the children and can be closed off with a sliding door when not in use. The Away Room opens up to the Living Room for everyday use; it can be closed off with its oversized pocket door for secondary use as a guest bedroom with en suite bath. NET POSITIVE ENERGY. The all-electric home consumes 70% less energy than a code-built house, and with measured energy data produces 48% more energy annually than it consumes, making it a 'net positive' home. Thick walls and roofs lack thermal bridging, windows are high performance, triple-glazed, and a continuous air barrier yields minimal leakage (0.27ACH50) making the home among the tightest in the US. Systems include an air source heat pump, an energy recovery ventilator, and a 13.1kW photovoltaic system to offset consumption and support future electric cars. ACTUAL PERFORMANCE. -6.3 kBtu/sf/yr Energy Use Intensity (Actual monitored project data reported for the firm’s 2016 AIA 2030 Commitment. Average single family home is 52.0 kBtu/sf/yr.) o 10,900 kwh total consumption (8.5 kbtu/ft2 EUI) o 16,200 kwh total production o 5,300 kwh net surplus, equivalent to 15,000-25,000 electric car miles per year. 48% net positive. WATER EFFICIENCY. Plumbing fixtures and water closets consume a mere 60% of the federal standard, while high efficiency appliances such as the dishwasher and clothes washer also reduce consumption rates. FOOD PRODUCTION. After clearing all invasive species, apple, pear, peach and cherry trees were planted. Future plans include blueberry, raspberry and strawberry bushes, along with raised beds for vegetable gardening. The house also offers a below ground root cellar, built outside the home's thermal envelope, to gain the passive benefit of long term energy-free food storage. RESILIENCY. The home's ability to weather unforeseen challenges is predictable - it will fare well. The super-insulated envelope means during a winter storm with power outage, heat loss will be slow - taking days to drop to 60 degrees even with no heat source. During normal conditions, reduced energy consumption plus energy production means shelter from the burden of utility costs. Surplus production can power electric cars & appliances. The home exceeds snow & wind structural requirements, plus far surpasses standard construction for long term durability planning. ARCHITECT: ZeroEnergy Design http://zeroenergy.com/lincoln-farmhouse CONTRACTOR: Thoughtforms http://thoughtforms-corp.com/ PHOTOGRAPHER: Chuck Choi http://www.chuckchoi.com/

We call this the "mom desk" It is a great space off of the main hall and has direct passage from the pantry area. It is a great space to work on the computer, pay bills, meal plan, etc. This is Arlington maple with Glacier paint from Wellborn cabinet company.