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The Best Custom Plantation Shutters for Your Home or Business

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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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Virginia Tech Football Coach Gets Custom Shuffleboard From Show-Case Shutters

The Show-Case Shutters crew setting up Coach Fuentes with a custom shuffleboard set!

 

When Virginia Tech football coach, Justin Fuente, wanted a custom shuffleboard set he knew the best place way to go was with experience.  That is why he approached Show-Case Shutters for the task!

Not The First Rodeo at Virginia Tech!

Fuente, who had seen a custom piece already commissioned by the company, decided he wanted one too and contacted company owner, Shan Carroll for advice.

Carroll agreed to take on the challenge.  Carroll worked the project into an already busy manufacturing line in order to make the Virginia Tech coach’s recreation room complete.

In all, the shuffleboard table took more than 210 man hours to complete.  it was sone over a four week period of time.   Hand made, the table was manufactured using cherry and maple hardwoods.

A team of four was needed to transport the table to the Virginia Tech coach’s house.   There, it was assembled in the coach’s rec room in the basement of his new home in the Ellett Valley.

In the end the final product was exactly what the coach was looking for giving the Show-Case Shutters another victory!

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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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DiY – Plantation Shutters Near Me

Show-Case Shutters, an all-American interior shutter company in Virginia provides custom shutters for DiY clients across 37 states for Horizon Shutters of Kansas City.

Wondering how you can find affordable “plantation shutters near me”?

Show-Case Shutters is going DiY by  teaming up with Horizon Shutters – a Do it Yourself (DiY) help center designed to save the right client a lot of money!

Interior shutter costs are basically broken down like this:  1. Base Price  2. Shipping  3. Installation

Plantation shutters are a big investment but if you are good with a measuring tape, and know how to use a drill, the journey can be a lot easier, and cheaper, than expected.

That’s because installation can cost you anywhere from $4-$7 per square foot!!  Take that out of the equation and you can easily see where you save money. A typical front elevation on a home runs about 150 square feet.  Do the math!

Additionally, since we are the manufacturer, you do not have to pay a middle man to get you the quality product you deserve.  In fact, when you use a company like Budget Blinds – which does not manufacture their own products – you pay a hefty price as they buy wholesale and then mark up the product.  That isn’t the case when you go DiY.

So, in areas where we do not offer full “no liability” service, or regions where we do not have distribution partners, you can still get premium Show-Case Shutters if you have the right know how!

Plantation Shutters Near Me

Currently, Show-Case Shutters offers its premium American-made product to full service customers in several states. In Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Tennessee, West Virginia, North Carolina and Washington DC.  This offering can be done through Show-Case Shutters itself or through one of several authorized dealers at Plantation Shutters Near Me!!

Customers in South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and Connecticut (NYC) should contact us for the nearest distributor.

For DiY clients:  Horizon Shutters stretches to the remaining 37 states and Canada!!

Interior mount shutters with mid-rail. Bracey, Virginia.

How DiY Works

To start, simply take pictures of the windows and doors you are interested in having shutters made for.  Then, take some simple measurements:  Take three for the width and three for the height; sending your representative the smallest measurement of the three.  That’s it!!

You can find a video on how to complete a basic measurement here: Measure Video.  There is also step-by-step help on the Horizon Shutters website.

From there we will work up a rough estimate for you to consider while our representative works with you to customize your needs.

30 Days Later

Once your shutters arrive (either Fed Ex or UPS Freight) our representatives will be available for questions, via phone and email, to help you complete the installation (client must pay shipping).  There are also a variety of videos available to help you with this process.  We can also help you locate a professional installer in your area.

Interested in learning more?  Contact Sales and Marketing Manager, David Tate at (540)206-7479.  He is available seven-days a week from 7am – 10pm EST.

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