If you are thinking about purchasing plantation shutters for your new home or if you are remodeling your house and you want to install these types of shutters, then you first need to know everything about these window types before heading on for installation. Even if this type of shutters looked fantastic on the wonderful vacation home that you stayed in at the Caribbean, it will not follow that they will have the same effect on your home considering that the temperature is different and your home’s overall design is also different.

But before we begin, let us first discuss what plantation shutters are. This type of shutters is also called jalousies or louvers or window shutters. This shutter type is usually made of wood. They are essentially window-installed version of blinds where in wooden slats of broad wood are fixed on a solid frame. A rod in the middle is used to open the slats to allow for air to circulate in the house or to allow for more sunlight to come in. They are closed using the same rod if there is a need to protect oneself from the outside elements or if there is a need for privacy.

Aside from wood, there are different types of materials that make up the slats for the shutters. You have glass slats that are connected by metallic frames. This material is more commonly used in Asian countries where the shutters do not have any glass protection from the outside. Plastic slats painted in neutral colors are also famous choices especially for those who are concerned on using precious wood for a home improvement. There are also composite materials available and recycled wood for environmentally conscious buyers.

There are two basic types of shitters, the interior shutters and exterior ones. Interior shutters are very common in homes and they are the main tools that can allow natural light and air to come in the house. Interior shutters also usually open inwards. Exterior shutters on the other hand, are the types of shutters that spread outward of a building. They are usually the first level of protection of the window from outside elements.

This type of shutters is most ideal in places where it is tropical and fresh air is abundant. Most shutters like these act alone, without glass to protect them from the outside. For some shutters though, to keep insects out, they have a screen lining on the outside so that fresh air can still come in without being impeded by a glass pane.

Cleaning these shutters is a bit taxing considering that there are slats that need to be cared for one by one. In cleaning these shutters, you need to first use a feather duster so that you can sweep away loose debris in between the wooden slats. Then, once the loose debris is removed, you can use a damp cloth sprayed with wood polish, to wipe each slat down. This will require some patience, but after cleaning your plantation shutters, the end result will be worth it.