If you’re considering purchasing shutters for your windows, you might consider investing your time and energy to find out the difference between 100% solid wood shutters compared to poly or vinyl. Many simply call the vinyl plastic, and that in itself turns many people away.
One hundred percent wood doesn’t always mean the same thing either. Solid wood does not include particleboard that consists of composites that are manufactured from wood shavings and then pressed together. If that doesn’t bother you, look up the process online.
Quality custom shutters, made from solid 100% wood, are not manufactured, and not glued together to create the look of 100% wood. However they will not stand up to the scrutiny of customers who demand high quality 100% wood.
Now that you know the wood to look for, check out the paint on the shutters. The top quality shutter will have 3 coats of base coat and 2 coats of topcoat. Many companies paint their shutters with the louvers closed together. When that happens, the paint is not even and moisture can penetrate the shutters. The correct way to paint the louvers is to paint them before they assemble them. Otherwise the paint does not seal totally so check the edges of the louvers. Staining should be done in similar ways.
The length of the staples used in construction should be 5/8” to 3/4” and when a company cuts corners on the staples, you end up with a product that will not last. Another way to cut corners is by using dowels instead of cutting a solid piece of wood and fit it together like a puzzle. The dowels are easier and faster to install, but will not stand up to the test of time.
Using catches is cheaper than using magnets that are normally recessed into the wood and placed on the backside of the shutter. You should check out the hinge. A quality hinge will not be a butterfly hinge that is cheaper and easier to install. Full panel hinges will be stronger and hold up much longer.
We could go into the making of the vinyl, or plastic shutters, but because of space, we’ll just mention the things that the salespeople claim make them better than wood. They say price is the biggest concern, and many would agree that their customers don’t demand quality, but are interested only in the price factor.
They also claim that the vinyl will not yellow, crack, and never need painting. Some of that may be true, but certainly not all. Some of the vinyl shutters are reinforced with aluminum, and that would make them stronger, but not all manufacturers use it.
So your best bet is to learn the facts before you decide. Check out the materials on both the 100% wood (not composites), and the vinyl. Another great modifier is to find out how long the company has been in business. You certainly don’t want a fly by night operator, but you do need to do your own homework.
Golden West Shutters Specializes in Lake Forest Shutters, Orange County Shutters, and Plantation Shutters Los Angeles.
Showing posts with label orange county shades. Show all posts
Showing posts with label orange county shades. Show all posts
Monday, October 8, 2012
Friday, September 7, 2012
Modern Plantation Shutters
When you think of plantation shutters, you, like many others, believe they date back before the Civil War. Plantation designates the homes built by slaves in the south during that period. Modern plantation shutters bear no resemblance and there are many more choices. The shutters add a permanent addition and the value of your property increases exponentially.
Your first choice would be the exterior or interior type of shutter. Now we’re going to write about the interior plantation shutter even though both types operate in the same way. However the exterior shutters can be permanently installed and have no function other than to add beauty and individualism to your property.
The interior shutter still provides privacy as well as protection when they are closed. They are easy to use and when you want more for your windows, you can add draperies or curtains without obstructing their use.
When you desire painted shutters to blend with the same color as the room where you install them, the choice would be wood. Vinyl shutters often come in white or off-white colors, but you can change the color of paint on vinyl modern plantation shutters as often as you paint your room. They may need a special paint to adhere.
Modern plantation shutters also give you the choice to control whether or not light enters your room. When you close the louvers tight the room becomes darker, and you can open the louvers while the shutter is still sitting against your window. So you choose from dark to light and all the way in between.
So besides privacy and protection you’ll find the modern plantation shutter comparatively easy to install. They are easy to use and they don’t just sit there collecting dust but when they do, they’re easy to clean. The modern dusters that don’t rely on feathers work well, and when they need extra cleaning a damp cloth works well especially on the vinyl shutters.
If you’re unsure about the installation of your shutters that will be permanently installed, you may want to call in a professional. One good thing about a professional installation, if they make a mistake while measuring, they will order new shutters and of course there will be no charge for the error.
When you do the job yourself, you may be paying double and the increase in costs won’t be absorbed.
Unusual size windows will be no problem and the advice you receive from a professional will be well worth your efforts.
Golden West Shutters Specializes in Lake Forest Shutters, Orange County Shutters, and Plantation Shutters Los Angeles.
Your first choice would be the exterior or interior type of shutter. Now we’re going to write about the interior plantation shutter even though both types operate in the same way. However the exterior shutters can be permanently installed and have no function other than to add beauty and individualism to your property.
The interior shutter still provides privacy as well as protection when they are closed. They are easy to use and when you want more for your windows, you can add draperies or curtains without obstructing their use.
When you desire painted shutters to blend with the same color as the room where you install them, the choice would be wood. Vinyl shutters often come in white or off-white colors, but you can change the color of paint on vinyl modern plantation shutters as often as you paint your room. They may need a special paint to adhere.
Modern plantation shutters also give you the choice to control whether or not light enters your room. When you close the louvers tight the room becomes darker, and you can open the louvers while the shutter is still sitting against your window. So you choose from dark to light and all the way in between.
So besides privacy and protection you’ll find the modern plantation shutter comparatively easy to install. They are easy to use and they don’t just sit there collecting dust but when they do, they’re easy to clean. The modern dusters that don’t rely on feathers work well, and when they need extra cleaning a damp cloth works well especially on the vinyl shutters.
If you’re unsure about the installation of your shutters that will be permanently installed, you may want to call in a professional. One good thing about a professional installation, if they make a mistake while measuring, they will order new shutters and of course there will be no charge for the error.
When you do the job yourself, you may be paying double and the increase in costs won’t be absorbed.
Unusual size windows will be no problem and the advice you receive from a professional will be well worth your efforts.
Golden West Shutters Specializes in Lake Forest Shutters, Orange County Shutters, and Plantation Shutters Los Angeles.
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