4 Reasons Why Your Home Needs Plantation Shutters

From curtains and drapes to shades and shutters, every homeowner must choose how to dress their windows according to their unique style. While all window treatments serve the same purpose, they are not all created equal. Whether your primary concern is fashion or function, plantation shutters satisfy both needs while providing privacy, savings, curb appeal and more. To help you decide if these stylish shutters are right for your home, here is a quick look at just a few of their benefits.

1. Durability and Style

In many cases, stunning window treatments turn out to be as delicate as they seem. While pretty to look at, they deteriorate fast and soil even faster. If you have young children, you're probably all too familiar with sacrificing stylish designs for those that are more practical, but plantation shutters provide an elegant blend of style and function that can withstand the most curious fingers as well as those adorably smothered in peanut butter. Durable and low maintenance, these shutters can be wiped clean with a damp cloth.

With their classic and timeless look, plantation shutters beautifully complement both modern and traditional homes. Custom designed for your unique space, they are available in a wide variety of colours and stains to create the look you love. If you like to change up your decor every now and then, and who doesn't, choosing neutral-coloured shutters will ensure that they continue to coordinate with any future design changes.

2. Privacy and Views

With most other window treatments, you have to compromise the views you love for the privacy you need or vice versa. Thanks to divider rails, which allow you to independently control the top and bottom louvers, you can close the bottom section to create some privacy and open the top portion to enjoy the scenery.

Even if you choose a design without a divider rail, basic plantation shutters give you complete control of your light exposure. Do you want a bright, cheerful living space that seems to bring the outdoors in? As permanent fixtures, you can swing the shutters open where they'll rest stylishly beside your window as you bask in the sunlight. Do you prefer more cozy, intimate spaces? For built-in accent lighting, you can close the shutters and open the louvers as little or as much as you want to create your desired effect.

3. Utility Savings and Noise Reduction

Custom fitted to your windows, plantation shutters create a tight seal within them. When closed, this perfect fit provides added insulation to help fight the frigid drafts that threaten to throw your hard-earned money out the window. During the hot Australian summers, these shutters provide an extra layer of protection to keep the hot air out and the cool air in where it belongs. As a result of these stylish insulators, you may be able to postpone the use of your HVAC system during the milder seasons, so not only will you pocket a little extra cash when your utility bill is due, but you'll also help reduce your carbon footprint for a win-win situation.

Likewise, the same tight fit that saves energy also helps reduce any unwanted noise. Whether you deal with buzzing traffic, a neighbour's barking dog or any other disturbing commotion, plantation shutters are typically composed of noise-absorbing material to better protect your home from annoying noise pollution.

4. Home Equity and Curb Appeal

If you're wondering whether or not plantation shutters are a savvy financial investment, consider this: They are the only window treatments that can be financed into the cost of a house. When evaluating your home, appraisers even consider plantation shutters as an added bonus that contributes to a higher value. Popular with most buyers, they can truly seal the deal if or when you decide to sell your home.

As for curb appeal, many plantation shutters are durable enough to be used on the exterior of your home for a classic, sought-after look. Whether you're looking to entice potential buyers or simply impress friends and family, these shutters make a striking first impression.

If these benefits sound like a good fit for your home, then plantation shutters may be just what your windows need. When you purchase from Modern, a top-rated Australian company, you receive a product that features the quality you deserve and the style you crave. While most shutters are constructed of wood, Modern's Insulite plantation shutters are composed of a non-toxic, environmentally friendly polymer foam. This product provides an insulating factor that is three times that of wood. With the look and feel of genuine timber, they will never warp, crack, shrink or discolour.