We recently met a new client in a beautiful brick colonial in Exeter, NH that was struggling with determining how to assure privacy while still having natural light and maintaining the view.

Our solution was simple, we suggested plantation shutters with a center rail. The client could keep the louvers on the lower half of the window closed to maintain privacy from the busy sidewalk, and keep the upper louvers tilted open for light and view.

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We are often contacted by owners of older homes in the colonial towns in the region like Portsmouth, Newburyport, Ipswich and Salem, MA, asking about colonial or traditional shutters. Many of these clients assume that these window treatments are historically correct for their home. Determining what type of shutter would be correct for a particular home takes a little bit of work. First, we must determine the age and the original style of the home, and even consider the level of wealth of the original owner of the home.

Within our service area North of Boston we use the following guidelines;

• Homes built before 1740 generally had Indian Shutters which were solid panel shutters that slid into the wall like a pocket door and used for security during Indian raids. Many period homes still have the original panels. We craft replacement panels ourselves to match the existing panels. Although used far less, we have seen these panels in homes built as late as 1820
• From 1740 until around 1820 solid panels gradually gave way to louvered shutters. The solid panels were generally hinged instead of the pocket style above and bi-folded either against the wall or if the home had masonry walls the panels would fold against the ornate moldings generally at an angle from the window. The panels were almost always ‘double-hung’ which means that there were two sets of shutters one above the other. Allowing the upper panels to be hinged open while the lower set afforded privacy. The louvers varied in size from a little more than one inch to slightly less than two inches.
• The Federal and Greek Revival Styles of the early to mid 1800’s found shutters falling from fashion. When used at all, they were usually found in the formal rooms at the front of the house and nay have been somewhat ornate raised panels matching the mill-work in the room and may have been highly decorated with faux-painting and or gilding. Louvered panels slowly gained some popularity toward the end of the period and increased in size to two inches or slightly larger.
• The Victorian period saw the Cafe` style shutters used for the first time. Similar to the double hung shutters nentioned above, the Victorian period often used shutters only on the lower half of the window. Louvered shutters were fairly exclusively used in this period with the louver varying in size from 1 1/4″ to about 2″.
• Plantation style shutters really are not architecturally correct for any period home in this region. When working with clients we generally suggest that they consider the importance of remaining true to the history of the home and compare that importance to their lifestyle, comfort and enjoyment of the home. Many clients choose to compromise and select plantation shutters because of the increase in light and airflow afforded by this newer style. Although this style of shutter has been used since colonial times in the Southern areas of the country. The original styles used louvers around 2 1/2″ in width. The most popular louver size used today is 3 1/2″ and the 4 1/2″ is quite popular for large openings and homes that have water views.

Feel free to contact us to discuss your renovation project, we will be happy to assit you in determining which options are best for you. Link

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Fabric Valence over Plantation Shutters

Clients often ask if it is OK, or acceptable to combine soft treatments with plantation shutters, absolutely! This is a beautiful example of a project we completed in Portsmouth, NH some time ago. See for yourself if the two can be combined. Link

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Stained shutters look wonderful inside white painted openings

We are often asked if shutters need to match the color of the moldings. The answer is a definite no! We have installed stained panels inside white openings many times, and have always been very happy with the outcome. We have also installed white shutters against stained moldings for the same effect.

These shutters are solid mahogany with a rich stain that matches the antique table and chairs in this dining room. We have sample shutter panels in a whole host of woods including maple, cherry, walnut, mahogany, alder, straight grain fir, curly maple, knotty pine and even wormy chestnut.

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Control Sunlight with Plantation Shutters

Plantation Shutters are ideal in areas where other homes are in close proximity such as ocean front homes. This home on Moody Beach in Wells, ME has painted maple shutters throughout the house. The slightly tilted louvers bounce the harsh suns rays out of the home keeping the room cooler during the summer months.

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The traditional homes in the older cities around New England are ideal for layering sumptuous draperies over plantation shutters.

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We met some new clients in a beautiful home in Duxbury, MA yesterday. This is a beautiful home with marsh and river views. Having recently installed new windows, the clients were in need of new window treatments to assure privacy and to control sunlight.

After reviewing the available options, we quickly settled on plantation shutters as the most viable product. 3 1/2″ louver shutters fit the proportions of the window and will allow the client to control the heavy sunlight while maintaining the gorgeous views. Link

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As we discuss eco-friendly window treatments, a category that comes immediately to mind are plantation shutters made from wood. The wood species that are used most commonly for shutters are poplar and basswood. Both of these woods grow fairly quickly in farmed environments, and qualify as eco-friendly by most definitions. The question then becomes whether the manufacturing and finishing process remain ‘green’. Other hardwoods are also used for plantation shutters such as maple, cherry, mahogany and walnut. These slow growth woods are harvested from managed forests that actually promote new growth, and therefore are eco-friendly.

Does the manufacturer operate in an eco-friendly fashion; are scraps minimized and utilized properly? Is transportation minimized? Are the finished used water based and or low VOC’s?

Finally the product itself is very eco-friendly and remains so indefinitely. Shutters are a wonderful insulator for the home, reducing heating and cooling costs. The louvers can direct the sunlight into or out of the home to allow the sun to passively heat the home, or direct the sun’s rays back out of the home to maintain a cool home.

Learn more at our very detailed shutter information page.

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This Stratham, NH home had a decidedly Mediterranean theme in its decor. The homeowners wanted plantation shutters in the front kitchen windows for privacy, but were concerned that they would not work with the other decor. Our solution was to insert grilles in a Mediterranean design into the upper quarter of the shutters. A beautiful an unique window design. Link

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Oval windows are a beautiful architectural detail in a home. They add character and beauty to both the interior and exterior. But, they pose a distinct challenge to the homeowner and design professional if privacy or light control is needed. We recently helped a homeowner in Kennebunk Maine who had an oval window in a downstairs lavatory. Obviously privacy was necessary, but the homeowner did not want to lose the architectural deatil of the window. Our solution was a horizontal louver oval shutter mounted inside the window so that the existing detailed moldings were not obscured. Link

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