PLANTATION SHUTTERS

The recent surge in popularity of Plantation Shutters has spawned a myriad of new shutter types. Many of these new introductions remain untested and unproven in their ability to meet the demands of daily usage. In addition many window coverings dealers do not fully understand the differences between product types and appropriate applications. With hundreds of window products on the market it's almost impossible to stay abreast of all the innovations and updates within this fashion's industry. This brochure is intended to provide pertinent, factual information about interior shutters, including material types, construction practices and functional applications. Interior shutters remain one of the more expensive window coverings available within the window treatment industry. This fact, along with heightened consumer awareness and demand have attracted many opportunists into the growing shutter market.

The bitterness of poor quality is remembered long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.

WOOD: For years wood was the only acceptable material used in the production of interior shutters. Although other materials are now used in the production of interior shutters, none surpass wood in overall appearance and performance. Wood shutters provide the greatest variety of optional features as well as the highest performance rating in the widest range of applications. More simply stated, Wood works where other materials don't. The most commonly used woods in the production of interior shutters are: Basswood, poplar, alder, cedar and pine. Less used woods include: oak, cherry, maple and fir. Wood use and selection are based on specific factors which include; cost, workability, evenness of grain and finish quality. Regardless of the species selected, wood is a prized material with unique characteristics and properties including: a high ratio of strength to weight, remarkable durability and a good insulation value against heat and sound.

In addition, wood resists oxidation, acid, saltwater and other corrosive agents, has good shock resistance and most importantly can be repaired easily if damaged. Wood remains the window covering industry's number one choice for interior shutters.
Non-wood promoters have offered up a plethora of misconceptions concerning wood shutters in an effort to sell their products. Now you have, The Facts...

COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT WOOD

1) Wood is susceptible to insects and will decay.
Dry wood does not decay. Even wood submerged in water for long periods of time does not decay significantly, regardless of the species. Bacteria and certain soft-rot fungi can attack submerged wood, but the resulting deterioration is very slow. Wood kept dry will last indefinitely.

2) Moisture causes wood to warp and shrink.
Moisture can exist in wood as liquid water or water vapor within the cell walls. This is why wood as raw lumber is kiln-dried to achieve its equilibrium moisture content, a condition where wood is neither gaining nor losing moisture. Proper wood preparation and finishing retards and controls changes to woods equilibrium moisture content.

3) Wood will crack, peel, scratch and dent.
Properly prepared and finished wood will not crack or peel. This is demonstrated by the wide variety of quality wood products handed down through the generations. Should wood be scratched or dented, it can easily be repaired and refinished.