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The Best Custom Plantation Shutters for Your Home or Business

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Plantation Shutter Custom Shapes

Show-Case Shutters’ custom capabilities are are to beat!!

Plantation shutter custom shapes are difficult to find with few manufacturers making them these days.  That is not the case here at Show-Case Shutters where we pride ourselves on our custom capabilities.

Mixing CAD technology with a state of the art CNC router, Show-Case Shutters is able to manufacture just about any custom shape a client could ask for. We are so good at it, in fact, that we have other manufacturers contracting our services!

There is a reason for this.  Take a standard arch, for example.  It takes an average of eight man hours just to get a custom arch out of the custom shop and onto the floor the for finishing!!  Many companies just don’t want to spend the time doing plantation shutter custom shapes.  Not us!

Covering a circle opening can be a tough task to fill.

Plantation Shutter Custom Shapes

Fact is, realizing quality plantation shutter custom shapes is more than just design and the proper machinery, our craftsman have years of experience understanding how wood properties work and learning proper glue techniques.  While everyone can eventually take the time to learn such a craft… time is what it takes.

Ask our lead customs craftsman, Herb, who has been working custom wood since 1976!!

“For me it’s the challenge,” said Herb.

“People bring me their designs or just show up with a simple picture.  Turning that into a functioning work of art is the fun.”

Plantation shutter customs shapes don’t start at Show-Case Shutters‘ manufacturing facility in Virginia, they start with our clients’ vision whether they are in Ohio, Pennsylvania or West Virginia!  From there they move to our engineers desk where the vision comes to life on our state of the art Computer Aided Design system (CAD).  Our engineer is one of the best in the business.  If we can’t manufacture it… no can!

Hand made, all wood shutters are hard to find. Show-Case Shutters manufactures almost any shape!

Once the design is created it is uploaded to our CNC router which ensure perfection during the manufacturing process.  Our all hardwood sunburts (most use MDF), for example, are actually two separate cuts that are then aligned and glued together – which ensures the louver pin holes are perfect!

 

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Cherry Shutters Show Off Custom Capability

In our opinion, one of the best reasons to work with us is our custom capabilities like these custom cherry shutters.

Custom Cherry Shutters

In fact, not only do we offer a plethora of custom finishes unique to the industry, we manufacture shutters out of any wood you like… including cherry shutters.

Arguably even more impressive than the incredible finished look of these shutters is the custom capability on display.  Look at those diamond inlays!

At this point, the tiger maple inlays, match existing inlays already in the client’s home.

Custom inlay on cherry shutters using tiger maple.

Finally, Show-Case Shutters is an industry leader in custom plantation shutters. We are often used by other manufacturers for our custom capabilities.

For this reason, Show-Case Shutters’ engineering team prides itself on being able to offer the finest custom manufacturing. In fact, these services include custom shapes like circles and ovals as well as precise custom engraving.

Furthermore, if you want to learn more about Show-Case Shutters’ custom capabilities, contact marketing and sales manager, David Tate at (540)206-7479.

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Show-Case Quality Shutters Takes 10,000th Order

For the past 18 years Show-Case Shutters have been manufacturing quality, American-made Shutters. On January 18, 2010 the company took its 10,000th order.

For the past 18 years, Show-Case Shutters has earned a reputation for manufacturing quality shutters.  The All-American product is one of the best shutters on the market.  Show-Case Shutters are found primarily in the mid-Atlantic and Midwest.

Quality Shutters

Claiming to manufacture a quality product and doing so are two different things.  That is why when you are look for a quality manufacturer look to see how long that company has been in business.  No doubt there is a correlation between a quality product and that company’s longevity.

10,000 Orders

On January 18, 2017 Show-Case Shutters entered its 10,000th order into the production process.  The order came from one of the company’s newest clients, Horizon Shutters. Horizon Shutters distributes Show-Case Shutters nationwide on a DiY basis.

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History of Shutters Goes Back Centuries

Doors as well as windows are perfect matches for interior shutters.

To understand the history of shutters you have to realize the first shutters were in Ancient Greece. Not surprisingly shutters from that era were made of marble.  Designed for light control and ventilation, they also provided a modicum of privacy. However, as one would expect, they were heavy and immovable.

History of Shutters

Tudor England, in the 1500’s, saw the common use of solid timber shutters that covered the lower half of windows.  In those days glass was an expensive commodity; the lower classes only had glass panes on the top half of their windows. To let in air and light, one had to fold the shutter panel against the wall.  They provided security and protection from heat and cold.

Needless to say, the wealthier classes could afford glass and showed off their largesse by installing many small  windows in their homes (Tudor style).

A few hundred years later, shutters became full height on windows as the affordability of glass for the masses was more widespread. Walls were so thick, it was common to have internal shutters that could fold away into side cavities in the walls when not in use. Exterior shutters were too difficult to reach for closing.

Shutters in the 19th Century

From the early 1800’s shutters became attached to the exterior of houses and walls became thinner. In early Colonial times, shutters were widely used on all types of dwellings.  They provided successful protection against the harsh sun and heat of the colony.  Of course the wealth of the home owner dictated the elegance of the shutter; emancipated settlers had to make their own louvers, whereas the well to do could afford more tailored solutions.

The Industrial Revolution introduced new manufacturing techniques so that shutter panels could be made with flat louvers. These slats could be angled to filter light and assist ventilation. They also protected the windows themselves from the elements. Of course they were made of local timbers and were durable and very thermal.  In particular, big plantations in the southern US states actually led to the term, “plantation shutters”.  A term applied as shutters were commonly used on the grand style facades to protect the structure from the elements.

Historical vs. Modern

In the 21st Century, shutters are used worldwide both inside and outside.  The biggest difference is the materials used, which range from high tech plastics, to timbers and aluminium.  Heritage homes still cry out for the authenticity of timber panels, whilst the more modern home can accommodate wider panels in a variety of materials.

As the history of shutters show the benefits are far reaching: privacy, light control, ventilation, protection from the elements.  They also add another benefit: visual appeal. Correctly installed shutters can look spectacular and add huge value to your home, whether internal or external.

This article, by Lucia Van Gerwin, originally appeared in Sourcable in November, 2016. 

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American Made Shutters

American made shutters by Show-Case Shutters out of Christiansburg, Virginia.

“Made in the USA” is a big deal for a lot of people.  It is especially important when dealing with a high end product like interior plantation shutters.  Unfortunately, many people don’t realize there are American made shutter companies that offer some of the best products on the market.

American Made Shutters

When talking about interior plantation shutters there are not a whole lot of quality American made shutters to choose from.  Show-Case Shutters, based in Virginia, is one of the few exceptions. The company has turned out quality American made shutters for nearly 20 years.

Considering the company survived the great recession without compromising the product – it shows there are American made shutters that can be trusted.  In fact, the company guarantees they will price beat any comparable product!

In the central part of the country, another quality American made shutter comes from Kirtz Shutters.  Based in Oklahoma, this company also survived the test of time as proof of their quality.

Shutters NOT Made in America

The fact is, most of your major shutter brands are not American made shutters.  A fact those companies do not spend a lot of time talking about.

For example Graber shutters are, in part, assembled in the United States. However, they are not American made shutters. Their product comes from Mexico where labor costs are a fraction of the cost in the US.

Another top brand, Norman Shutters, are also not American made shutters.  This product, while a solid product, is manufactured in China.

The main exception is Hunter Douglas.  However, while they do offer American made shutters, you should know they contract their work to third party regional manufacturers.  While you are paying big money for the brand your product is coming from a smaller company that you likely have never heard of.

“So what”, you say?  While I am in no way suggesting the product is not quality, the fact is you are basically paying a premium price for a name.  There are plenty of competitors that have as good, or better, product lines.

Made in America vs. Assembled in America

Custom woodwork by American craftsman is a standard many customers are looking for.

There are all sorts of slick websites out there that infer they offer American-made shutters when in reality the product is just assembled stateside.

While I am not going to name these companies off, while doing your research ensure that you get your sales rep to distinguish between the two – if American-made is a big deal to you.

Two national shutter sites that offer American-made shutters are Horizon Shutters and Plantation Shutters Near Me. Both companies work with a “Made in America” product. Show-Case Shutters is their company of choice because of their commitment to quality and the local economy.

Why Does it Matter?

Why should people care about American made shutters?  A number of reasons make this decision an easy one for customers all over the country.

First, buying American made shutters supports your neighbors.  Take ShowCase Shutters for example.  The company employs more than a dozen Americans.  They purchase their parts from All American Components – which is based in Indiana.

“Are you going to support China or your own country?”, said AAC owner, Bill Featherston.

Featherston, who used to run his operation from China, moved it to Indiana after watching, first hand, the shady tactics of the Chinese government

AAC employs about 25 Americans in Indiana. The products AAC manufactures use wood from several states including Wisconsin and Kentucky.

It is a far cry from the Chinese, who Featherston said, uses wood almost exclusively from Russia.  Most of it illegal.

“I’d say more than 50% of it is black market,” said Featherston.

“I’ve actually seen money in suitcases exchanged.”

Featherston is hoping that playing field changes as the Trump-administration takes charge.

“Everything they do, they copy us and make it cheaper.  Why would anyone do business with China?”

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