Plantation Shutters
Methods for Shutters
When considering plantation shutters, one of the first choices a homeowner must make is what material do you prefer. There are many reasons that wood makes the best choice for a plantation shutter. We want to take a moment to help you identify what to look for in a quality wood shutter.
Types of wood
There are many different types of wood used in the plantation shutter industry. The popularity will often vary from region to region. For instance, incense cedar, alder and basswood are used in the Southwest and Northwest regions. In the Western regions, window openings tend to be larger, calling for a lighter wood to maintain structural integrity once the shutters are installed. The woods used must also hold up to the intense sun, dry heat and lack of shade. In the Midwest, aspen and maple are commonly used. In the Northeast and Southeast regions, basswood and poplar are widely used. Cottonwood, which is a species of poplar, is also used. Even though it has some distinct characteristics, such as a strong, musty fragrance, those who use it just call it poplar, which can be confusing. While many kinds of wood are suitable for plantation shutters, these are the most cost-effective and sustainable wood available. As a manufacturer, we prefer North American poplar and maple for our interior shutters because both kinds of wood have excellent strength, paint beautifully, and are completely tannin and resin-free, making them the most stable wood choices.
Methods for Shutters
When considering plantation shutters, one of the first choices a homeowner must make is what material do you prefer. There are many reasons that wood makes the best choice for a plantation shutter. We want to take a moment to help you identify what to look for in a quality wood shutter.
Types of wood
There are many different types of wood used in the plantation shutter industry. The popularity will often vary from region to region. For instance, incense cedar, alder and basswood are used in the Southwest and Northwest regions. In the Western regions, window openings tend to be larger, calling for a lighter wood to maintain structural integrity once the shutters are installed. The woods used must also hold up to the intense sun, dry heat and lack of shade. In the Midwest, aspen and maple are commonly used. In the Northeast and Southeast regions, basswood and poplar are widely used. Cottonwood, which is a species of poplar, is also used. Even though it has some distinct characteristics, such as a strong, musty fragrance, those who use it just call it poplar, which can be confusing. While many kinds of wood are suitable for plantation shutters, these are the most cost-effective and sustainable wood available. As a manufacturer, we prefer North American poplar and maple for our interior shutters because both kinds of wood have excellent strength, paint beautifully, and are completely tannin and resin-free, making them the most stable wood choices.
Not all wood is equal
Another trick to remember is not all grades of wood are equal. A common practice in the industry is to substitute a cheaper grade of wood. A company may tell you they use poplar and promote it as superior but then use the #1 common grade, which is cheaper for them. The #1 & #2 common grades will have more knots, imperfections, and curvature. It may also not be properly pre-treated to prevent further movement in the wood, which can later translate into warping. We promote and actually use FAS and select grades of North American kiln dried woods. Chances are, if you base your purchase on who has the lowest estimate, you will get what you pay for, which is the lowest grade of the wood.
Not all wood is equal
Another trick to remember is not all grades of wood are equal. A common practice in the industry is to substitute a cheaper grade of wood. A company may tell you they use poplar and promote it as superior but then use the #1 common grade, which is cheaper for them. The #1 & #2 common grades will have more knots, imperfections, and curvature. It may also not be properly pre-treated to prevent further movement in the wood, which can later translate into warping. We promote and actually use FAS and select grades of North American kiln dried woods. Chances are, if you base your purchase on who has the lowest estimate, you will get what you pay for, which is the lowest grade of the wood.
only renewable REAL wood
Elite Shutters uses only renewable REAL wood for the construction of our interior custom shutters. Our maple and poplar North American hardwoods come from forests with strict regulations that promote sustainability and regeneration.
Our interior shutters are NOT constructed of Poly, Vinyl, or Plastic, all non-renewable petroleum-based products.
NO Faux, Composite, or MDF materials are used in the production of our shutters. These materials can contain hazardous chemicals such as formaldehyde which can linger in your home for years after installation.
Elite Shutters shares a concern for air quality and your health. For this reason, we use LOW VOC/LEAD-FREE paints and primers in the finishing process of our shutters.
RECYCLING also plays an important role in the production of our custom shutters. Virtually NONE of the byproduct created from the manufacturing of our shutters ever goes into a landfill. These are just a few of the many ways Elite Shutters is thinking green. For more information about Elite Shutters, please call us or visit one of our showrooms.
only renewable REAL wood
Elite Shutters uses only renewable REAL wood for the construction of our interior custom shutters. Our Maple and Poplar North American Hardwoods come from forests with strict regulations that promote sustainability and regeneration.
Our interior shutters are NOT constructed of Poly, Vinyl, or Plastic, all non-renewable petroleum-based products.
NO Faux, Composite, or MDF materials are used in the production of our shutters. These materials can contain hazardous chemicals such as formaldehyde which can linger in your home for years after installation.
Elite Shutters shares a concern for air quality and your health. For this reason, we use LOW VOC/LEAD-FREE paints and primers in the finishing process of our shutters.
RECYCLING also plays an important role in the production of our custom shutters. Virtually NONE of the byproduct created from the manufacturing of our shutters ever goes into a landfill. These are just a few of the many ways Elite Shutters is thinking green. For more information about Elite Shutters, please call us or visit one of our showrooms.
Authentically
American Made
Did you know that most companies within the shutter industry are simply resellers and don’t actually make any of the products they sell? So often, these companies will never disclose that they are selling imported products or products assembled in the USA but made entirely with imported materials. We have witnessed many untested, inferior woods coming in from China and other non-US sources claiming that they are real poplar or basswood, both in ready-to-assemble components and ready-to-install form. How do we know? Because they’ve approached us. This means that companies are telling you they use American wood and have no clue that they are really giving their customers an unknown type of imported wood instead. Or maybe they do? At Elite Shutters, you always get the REAL AMERICAN wood you ordered! In fact, you can visit our factory and see your shutters being made at any time.
Here’s a tip:
If you receive a delivery time of eight to ten weeks or more, there is a good chance the product is arriving via cargo ship from the pacific rim, either in the component form to be assembled and painted here or already manufactured and ready to install. Our average delivery time is four to six weeks from the order date.
Authentically
American Made
Did you know that most companies within the shutter industry are simply resellers and don’t actually make any of the products they sell? So often, these companies will never disclose that they are selling imported products or products assembled in the USA but made entirely with imported materials. We have witnessed many untested, inferior woods coming in from China and other non-US sources claiming that they are real poplar or basswood, both in ready-to-assemble components and ready-to-install form. How do we know? Because they’ve approached us. This means that companies are telling you they use American wood and have no clue that they are really giving their customers an unknown type of imported wood instead. Or maybe they do? At Elite Shutters, you always get the REAL AMERICAN wood you ordered! In fact, you can visit our factory and see your shutters being made at any time.
Here’s a tip:
If you receive a delivery time of eight to ten weeks or more, there is a good chance the product is arriving via cargo ship from the pacific rim, either in the component form to be assembled and painted here or already manufactured and ready to install. Our average delivery time is four to six weeks from the order date.
Awards & Certificates
Best of Houzz 2014 – 2021 – Customer Service. We were rated at the highest level for customer service by Houzz seven times from 2014 – 2021..
Follow Us 
