Prefer to have a professional measure and install your shutters? In-Home Shutter Consultations are free! A shutter specialist will come out to your home, help you through the design process, measure your windows and install the shutters for you. The hardest part is choosing a color!
How Are Shutters Cleaned?
Typically a dry microfiber cloth is all that's needed to dust shutters. Faux wood shutters stand up against moisture better and can be easier to spot clean. Wood shutters can warp or swell when exposed to excessive moisture so we do not recommend spraying them directly with anything. For stubborn stains a slightly damp, soft cloth is usually all that's needed.
Can Shutters Be Motorized?
Shutters can even be motorized! Levolor Traditional Shutters can now be made with motorized tilt control. This means the louvers can be tilted open or closed via remote with the push of a button or scheduled through the Levolor app!
Can I Get A Home Consultation?
Free in-home consultations are available exclusively for shutters. With this service a designer helps you every step of the way from designing the look and feel of the shutters to measuring and installation. The hardest part is simply choosing a color, but your designer can help there too!
October is National Energy Awareness Month
In 1991, President George Bush officially named October “National Energy Awareness Month.” This was designed to inspire people to work towards managing and conserving our country's resources. So there's no better time for you to take steps to prepare for a more energy-efficient future.
One great way to have a more energy-efficient home is by replacing your blinds or curtains with plantation shutters.
While all plantation shutters are great home insulators, wood shutters, like the ones specially made by Architectural Plantation Shutters, do the job a little better. In addition to being good home insulators, they are also very energy efficient because they work to block the transfer of heat, and work as a barrier between your home's interior and outside temperature, thanks to how tightly they fit in your home's window frames.
In winter months, plantation shutters can block cold air from coming into your homes through your windows. This can make your home warmer, eliminating the need to turn the heat on. In summer months, shutters can help keep the outside heat, and harsh sunlight, from coming into your home. This may allow you take a few extra weeks before lowering the temperature on your air conditioner! Therefore, plantation shutters can help you save money on both your heating and cooling bills!
As a homeowner, there are other things you can do, too! These include: adding insulation to reduce heating and cooling costs, turn off appliances when not in use, and taking a looking at your lighting options.
Do you have any special tips to increase energy efficiency?
Plantation shutters are one of the most popular products in the custom window coverings industry. So we feel confident that we're not alone when we say that we love plantation shutters! Below we'll tell you exactly why we love plantation shutters so much!
View
Shutters give you unmatched flexibility in terms of the view out your window. Shutter panels can be swung open, providing a completely unobstructed view out. For more privacy, the panels can be closed and louvers can be tilted to various degrees of openness. With shutters you can have a fully unobstructed view out, a partial view out, or no view out at all.
Light Control
In the same way that you have flexibility with the view out, you also have flexibility in regards to the amount of light that is let into a space. If you want to block out the most light possible, you can fully close the panels and tilt the louvers completely closed. If you want to allow some light in, you can close the panels but tilt the louvers open. Or if you want to allow light to come flowing in, you can open the panels entirely, and fully expose the window pane.
Shutters Add Value to Your House
Plantation shutters are one of the more expensive window coverings available, but they truly are an investment. In fact, shutters are the only window covering that can be financed as part of your home purchase. This is so, due in large part to the fact that the vast majority of homeowners don't take their shutters with them when they move out. Both in the short-term and the long-term shutters enhance the quality of your living space, and ultimately, the value of your home.
Easy to Clean
Shutters are perhaps the easiest window treatment to clean. Because they're tightly mounted to all sides of the window sill, and because they're entirely cordless, cleaning your plantation shutters is a breeze.
Completely Cordless
Whether you choose wood or vinyl plantation shutters, they will be 100% cordless. This, and the fact that they're so easy to clean, make plantation shutters a great option for homes in which children are present.
Versatility
Plantation shutters are surprisingly versatile. Both the bi-fold system and the by-pass system allow for the use of plantation shutters for sliding glass doors and closets. Custom plantation shutters can also be utilized for bay windows and arches. Moisture-resistant vinyl shutters are also a great selection for garages and bathroom windows.
Customization
All of Skandia's window coverings offer a high level of customization, and shutters are one of the most customizable products around. You can choose from hollow or solid vinyl shutters, painted wood plantation shutters, or stained wood shutters. Then you can choose from a variety of frame options to ensure that the shutters provide a flush mount and a finished look. And you can even choose from a variety of hinge colors.