All About Shutters

The Window Shutters Authority

Plantation Blinds and Plantation Shutters

Interior plantation blinds and shutters are both popular forms of window coverings that use horizontal slats, or louvers, to control light and visibility. However, both plantation blinds and plantation shutters have distinct features that differentiates one from the other.

Plantation Blinds

The plantation blind is directly derived from plantation shutters because of the use of larger than average louvers or slats. Until the popularity of the plantation style, blinds used smaller aluminum slats in either the mini blind or micro blind. Custom plantation blinds are built not to require stiles, rails, or tilt bars. The slats are generally made from Basswood because of the straightness, durability, and the ability to paint or stain. Plantation blinds use a system of strings to adjust the tilt of the slats to adjust light. They also offer the ability to retract all of the slats to the top of the window for increased visibility.

Plantation Shutters

Plantation style interior shutters are generally more formal, durable, and substantial than plantation blinds. Interior shutters are made into panels that are connected to make units to fit the window. The number of panels used depends on the size of the window. As a rule of thumb, we suggest dividing the shutter unit the same way your window is divided. So, if your opening is divided into three equal vertical windows, to use three shutters across. Or, if your window is not divided into sections to use as few panels as allowable. Plantation shutters offer a variety of louver sizes from 2-1/2 inches to 4-1/2 inches. The hinged panels allow the shutter panels to swing open to either side of the window for increased visibility.

Find more information about plantation blinds at Horizon Shutters.