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Plantation shutters paired with curtains

4 Shutter Myths Revealed

April 03, 2017

We do a lot of speaking with residents about shutters in Gainesville.

And even if it may come as a surprise, when we speak to homeowners around Gainesville, we hear the same few shutter myths repeated. Let’s take a few minutes to set the facts straight and expose some of the most common plantation shutter myths so you can make the perfect choice for your space when shopping for new window treatments.

Myth: Shutters Are Easy to Install Yourself

Lots of home improvement projects are simple enough to do on your own in a single afternoon. Installing shutters might not be one of them, though.

Gainesville shutter installer

Installing new shutters can be tricky from the beginning, as the measurements of the dimensions of your windows have to be incredibly precise to ensure an easy and tight fit, as well as to enable proper operation of your windows. Depending on what the shutters are made of, from Polywood® shutters to reclaimed wood shutters, hoisting big shutters and installing them level might be a difficult task. If a single step of the process is done incorrectly, you may end up with misshapen shutters or draftiness from weather-stripping that doesn’t fit.

Myth: Shutters Will Make Homes Look Dim

New home designers might opt out of shutters, claiming shutters tend to make a space look “too dark” or dimly lit. This myth most likely stems from unfamiliarity with plantation shutters.

Think about this: sunlight always comes through your windows at an angle. What shutters do is let you alter that angle by adjusting their louvers, offering you better control over amount of light that comes in. And bear in mind, shutters are able to swing open all the way to allow as much light as you could need.

Gainesville family room with interior shutters.
 

Myth: Shutters Are Too Expensive

It’s true that shutters aren’t as cheap as discount rack blinds from a home improvement store. However this myth has to do with how you think about shutters. If you think about them as just a plain decoration that you don’t expect to survive more than a few years, then yes, shutters can be a little expensive. But shutters are a permanent addition to your house, and have several benefits: shutters are energy efficient and are shown to lower heating and AC bills, they can add to the value of your home, and shutters are able to last decades, unlike blinds–which will need replacements over and over again.

Myth: Shutters Only Look Good In Older Homes

Perhaps the name “plantation shutters” is to blame for the myth that shutters are only good for old houses, but it definitely isn’t true. While shutters were mainstays of older home styles stretching back decades, their straight, clean lines and neutral shades let them fit in just as well with more chic, modern designs. Shutters are the definition of versatile window treatments.

polywood shutters in Gainesville living room
 

Myth: Sunburst Shutters Gainesville No Longer Offers Complimentary Consultations

Ok, this one isn’t a popular myth–we just wanted to see if you were paying attention.

The Sunburst Shutters Gainesville team is always ready to come to you for a complimentary, no-strings-attached window treatment consultation. Just call 813-602-5966 or use the form below to begin learning the truth about what shutters can offer you.