Plantation shutter styles and options
Every choice, made for one window
Every shutter we build is made to fit a single opening. These are the choices you'll make, and we'll walk you through each one at your consultation.
01 · Louver size
Three louver sizes, three moods
Louvers come in 2½, 3½ and 4½ inches. Switch between them, then tilt them open and closed to see how much light and view each one gives you.
- 2½ inch
- Most privacy. Narrower slats let in less light when closed, and they suit small windows.
- 3½ inch
- The balance most homes choose: good privacy, good light, a classic look.
- 4½ inch
- Most light, airflow and view when open. Best on large windows.
2½ inch louvers
02 · Panels
Single or double panel shutters
Single panel Windows under 36 inches wide
- One panel covers the whole window.
- Opens fully for the clearest view and the most light.
- A clean, modern look with fewer lines.
- Needs room to swing open, so watch for nearby furniture.
Double panel Windows over 36 inches wide
- Two panels meet in the middle.
- Open one side or both for more control over light and privacy.
- Each panel is half as wide, so it swings open in tight spaces.
- A balanced, traditional look. Also best near kitchen faucets or furniture.
Single panel
A 30-inch window: one panel, hinged on one side.
03 · Divider rail or split Clearview
Divider rails and split tilt: light up top, privacy below
A divider rail is a fixed piece across the middle of the panel. We line it up with your window's lock, so the lock disappears behind it, and the louvers above and below it tilt on their own. With Clearview shutters you can choose a split instead: the top and bottom louvers still tilt separately, with no rail in the middle. It's one or the other, never both.
Add a divider rail when
- Your window has a lock in the middle you'd rather not see.
- The shutter is tall. The rail helps keep panels from sagging over time.
- You like a more structured, traditional look.
Skip it when
- The window is small and a rail would look busy.
- You want an uninterrupted view out.
- Your style is minimal or modern.
- You want a continuous, uniform look across windows.
No divider rail
One set of louvers. With them open you can see the window's lock.
04 · Shutter style
Clearview or traditional tilt rod
- Clearview
- The tilt mechanism is hidden on the back of the panel, near the hinges, for an unbroken view through the louvers.
- Traditional
- A rod runs down the center of each panel and moves all the louvers together. The classic plantation look.
Clearview
Nothing in front of the louvers: just slats and view.
05 · Color
Shutter colors and stains to match your trim
We color-match basswood shutters to your trim with high-quality paints and finishes built to last, or stain them to show off the grain. Poly shutters come in three whites: Extra White, Pure White and Off White.
Why interior shutters
Benefits of plantation shutters
Whatever louver size, panel layout or color you choose, plantation shutters bring the same everyday benefits.
Energy savings
Plantation shutters fit inside the frame and close snugly, adding a layer of insulation between the glass and the room. They keep out the Houston afternoon heat, so your AC works less and your energy bills can come down.
Higher home value
Shutters are a permanent upgrade: custom-fit and mounted to the window, they stay with the house. Buyers notice them in showings and listing photos, and they replace builder-grade blinds for good.
Light and privacy, your way
Tilt the louvers to bring in soft light and keep your view, close them for full privacy, or split the tilt so the top lets light in while the bottom stays closed.
Built to last
Solid basswood and moisture-resistant poly stand up to Houston humidity for years. No fabric to fade, no slats to bend, and if a louver ever breaks, we repair it.
Cordless and safer
Shutters have no cords or chains to dangle, which makes them a safer choice for homes with young children and pets.
Quieter, cleaner rooms
Solid panels soften street noise and don't trap dust the way curtains do. A quick wipe with a damp cloth keeps them looking new.