Now that the sun is high in the sky and the warm scent of flowers is on the breeze, many homeowners in the GTA are looking at bright and sophisticated treatments to install on their windows. Naturally, they turn to the shutter, which is renowned for its style and versatility. Its construction consists of a frame with vertical stiles connecting horizontal mid-rails that provide the supportive structure for the slats, each of which can be manipulated to increase or decrease visibility to the outside world. But there’s more than just one kind of shutter, and each style of this particular treatment lends itself for different purposes, including privacy control, light settings, and interior design choices. Let’s take a look at three of the most popular design we custom-build for our customers in the GTA.
Plantation
By far the most popular style of shutters, the plantation treatment is the quintessential shutter design. The image of their strong horizontal slats and louvered shutters is what typically come to mind for most homeowners when they think of this particular treatment. Compared to other treatments, these coverings have wider louvres are designed to open and fold back to reveal the full window.
Despite the name, the term doesn’t originate from plantations found in the Old South. While some of the old southern estates were outfitted with these larger shutters, the coinage of its name is believed to be a modern invention. Nowadays, plantation shutters are a particularly popular choice for kitchens and other rooms that don’t require full privacy during the day.
Café
This treatment only covers the bottom half of your windows. In keeping the upper portion of the window free, it allows full sun exposure through the glass and into your rooms. This is a population option for those looking to increase the amount of natural light their livings spaces receive but who still want to a modicum of privacy. Its panels can be shut and its slats swivelled to block out the outside world and deter prying eyes from taking a peak into your rooms, making it an ideal addition to living rooms and other common areas that would benefit from the sun.
Transom
No longer restricted to windows, the shutter is gaining popularity as a design accessory for doors with small portholes. Due to their unique dimensions – typically very small in nature – these are shutters that benefit from our custom-built materials. It may deviate from the typical rectangle, but we’ll be able to match its space perfectly with sophisticated shutters. Like its café and plantation cousins, the transom shutters can be manipulated to allow for full light exposure or full privacy coverage.
Though we’ve only highlighted three styles today, this short post doesn’t due this treatment justice. To explore the full selection of shutters in our catalogue, give us a call and book an appointment with our consultants. We’ll bring samples of our shutters right to your home, so you can see for yourself how it will look in your own space. Whether it’s a plantation shutter or something we didn’t cover today, know that you’re getting the highest quality materials custom built for your needs. So pick up the phone or send off an email, and we’ll find the right shutter for your home this summer.