Wooden discount shutters are one of the best window covering options.
While there is great value in installing high quality custom-made interior wood window shutters, sometimes they are still too expensive for certain applications. Some alternatives -including poly, PVC, or vinyl shutters - are less expensive but also look like plastic and appear cheap. For a high-quality solution at an affordable cost, look for a company that sells individual wholesale discount solid wood shutter panels that can be installed in any configuration. Sometimes these are called DIY shutters, or economic do-it-yourself shutters.
When shopping for individual discount shutter panels, there are a few considerations to keep in mind. The most important factor is the material used to make the interior shutter panels. Basswood or Poplar have the best characteristics for window shutters because they are very straight hard woods with little distortion. Basswood also has a fine, uniform texture and indistinct grain, which make it superior for staining or painting. You should also look for a company that can make a large number of shutter panel sizes so you can receive the best final fit for your window. Traditional shutters and discount plantation shutters both available at reasonable prices. Traditional, or colonial, shutters use a 1-1/4 inch louver with 3/ 4 inch thick stiles. Plantation shutters utilize larger louvers between 2-1/2 and 4-1/2 inches, and 1-1/8 inch thick stiles. Plantation shutters are generally more versatile for a wide range of home styles. Traditional shutters have been limited in the past to homes with smaller rooms and windows, but have recently been used in more contemporary applications. Altering budget stock-size shutters is a much better easier and less time consuming than attempting to build shutters from scratch.
Where to Purchase
Lumberyards or hardware stores may at first appear the obvious source. Local retailers, including lumberyards and home improvement stores, frequently do not sell wood shutters or keep a very limited selection. An order for specific styles or sizes can be placed at the customer service desk and picked-up at a later date by returning to the store.
Online shutter supplies allow the user to view styles, specifications, and prices in complete detail. Shutters can be ordered in a wide variety of sizes to best fit each individual window. The shutters are often shipped directly to the customer's house within a reasonable time. For a consumer that is not comfortable shopping online should at least use the Internet for product research.
How To Determine Individual Panel Sizes to Order
Determine how to mount the wholesale discount shutters before ordering the panels. Attaching shutters directly to the window jamb with butt hinges is often the preferable method. The shutters will require some depth within the window opening for the louvers to fully rotate. A window with insufficient depth requires the use of hang strips to attach shutters to the outside of the window opening. A reputable company will provide information about different installation methods so you can determine how best to install discount plantation shutters on a specific window.
Width:
Measure the width of the area you want the shutters to cover (NOT including any trim strips).
Divide this width by the number of panels you want across the window. This will give you the approximate width of each panel. Round this measurement up to the nearest 1/4 inch. Occasionally, shutters may need to be trimmed to achieve a proper fit.
Example: Width = 36-7/16"
Divide by 4 (= 9.11) and round up to nearest 1/4" (= 9.25)
Order four shutter panels 9-1/4" wide and trim to fit
or, order two panels 9” and two 9.25” panels.
Height:
Measure the height of the area you want the shutters to cover.
It may be necessary to order the next large panel size and trim the panel to fit.
For a two tier unit (panels across the top and bottom), combine individual panel heights as required.
Shutter Tip:
When mounting shutters to the inside of the window opening, hinge the shutters directly to the window jamb. Some companies will suggest to use a side hang strip that screws to the jamb. The shutters then hinge to the hang strip. This is a poor use space decreasing the width of each individual panel and limits the open louver area.
Finishing
A high-quality budget wood shutter panel can be painted or stained to a beautiful finish. Even if the wholesale shutters seem fairly smooth, a light sanding is advised before beginning the finishing process. After sanding and brushing off any dust, primer and paint can be applied. Often a more smooth finish is achieved by spraying the primer and paint, although the use of a high-quality brush can also result in a nice finish. When staining, follow the instructions given by the stain manufacturer. The stain manufacturer may recommend applying a wood conditioner before staining in order to ensure even stain color penetration.
Once your affordable discount shutters are finished and installed, you will have a high-quality product that will increase the value of your home at a fraction of the cost of custom-made shutters. Budget wholesale interior window shutters are a realistic alternative.