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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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ShowCase Shutters Introduces Barn Wood Shutters

Working to solve a problem presented by several customers over time, the R&D team at Virginia-based, ShowCase Shutters, is now offering premium barn wood shutters; a hand crafted shutter meant to resemble weathered barn wood.

ShowCase Shutters believes the barn wood plantation shutters finish will help make that happen.

The Origin Barn Wood Shutters

A lady needed plantation shutters made out of barn wood,” said owner and President, Shan Carroll.

“Knowing it wasn’t possiblel to make superior plantation shutters out of barn wood, we made a simulated barn wood. We use solid, natural wood; employing a technique that makes this look like barn wood.”

A customer in Erie, Pennsylvania is the first to install Show-Case Shutters’ exceptional “barn wood” finish in the state. Courtesy of Janet Young.

Working with chief engineer, David Hodges, the team has perfected that technique. Largely concluded by hand, the team turns among the business’s superior hardwood plantation shutters into an antiqued reproduction.

“It’s the top over, Janet Young was said by ” in Erie, Pennsylvania from Janet Young Interior Window Design.

Young was the first designer in Pennsylvania to utilize the gray barn wood in a customers’ residence.

“They installed several 2 big windows with their new and astonishing barn wood and stained shutters last week,” she said.

“Over the top!” is how Erie designer, Janet Young describes Show-Case Shutters’ exceptional barn wood finish.

Show-Case Shutters use both barn wood that is “ ” gray and “ driftwood white” as samples for the unique finish. But they say the stain colour options are endless.

We can color match anything said Sales Manager, David Tate.

“Tell us the brand; send us a sample. We will make this finish in any colour you like.”

The organization WOn’t divulge exactly how the shutters finish that is ’ is produced by them but say the procedure takes almost a dozen steps to complete.

This is unquestionably a premium merchandise rather than necessarily for everyone,” said Tate.

“It is merely another example of the fine quality specialty plantation shutters we here at ShowCase Shutters offer. Truth be told, so we desired to have something available for that special customer, almost all of our orders are for conventional white paint. We believe we’ve hit a home run.”

Tate says he sees the driftwood shutter becoming very popular within regional golf communities in addition to communities located along lakes, rivers and yet the ocean.

“The driftwood stain with the barn wood finish only invokes memories of gathering sun-bleached driftwood along the shorelines of Lake Huron when I had been a kid.

While the procedure is more time consuming than a regular smooth finish, the business still contains its 30 day turnaround service for installation of a barn wood selection.

“The aim is really to create the service, the merchandise and the company always,” said Tate.

“It makes no sense to create a better merchandise simply to slack off on the service. It can take longer to make, but we adjust.”

Driftwood shutters and the barn wood come on the heels of other excellent specialties provided by this all American-made business. In recent years Show-Case Shutters additionally added a “distressed finish that was ” to its offerings.


One of many unique offerings by Show-Case Shutters is this “distressed ” finish – perfect for that state house or that special kitchen.
The “distressed” shutter, also made from one of Show-Case Shutters’ premium brand, is aged back only about 50-years when compared with the 100-year target of the barn wood finish.

The final measure of the distressed procedure being the glazed finish – making this specialty the ideal alternative for a lot of scenarios, particularly in the kitchen.

“Again, with this finish, we’re searching for that perfect client that wants an extremely particular appearance,” said Tate.

This goes good in nation settings but we have found it work in a variety of settings.”

Just like the barn wood finish, Show-Case Shutters will place whatever color you want on this particular finish.

Show-Case Shutters also offers a rustic” finish that is “. This stained finish emphasizes the beautiful nature of knotty American basswood after it is sanded, stained and finished.

While most businesses offer stain level products, few offer all of them with all the choice of knotty wood that’s how its “rustic” name was earned by the product.

This merchandise is awesome. Plantation shutters are not easy to overcome,” said Tate.

Of these houses have large non-square openings which are just dying to be treated using a manner that is beautiful. That makes, for me, shutters, the “ ” finish that is rustic and timber frame houses the perfect fit. Why invest that much cash in a home and quit only just a little short of perfection?”

Through the very first 10-years of the new century Show-Case Shutters was a regional provider for Home Depot, providing shutters to tons of Home Depot stores across four states, such as the Pittsburgh region.

That representation came to some screeching halt in 2010 when corporate management at Home Depot consolidated production of plantation shutters – knocking Show-Case Shutters from the big box match.

“It hasn’t been easy. It undoubtedly hasn’t been simple. There’s been times that you question whether. We’ve everybody and persevered whose worked here. It’s a testament,” said Carroll.

The business, also a former regional manufacturer for Hunter Douglas shutters, was compelled to downsize, but was in a position to remain above water through the Great Recession and beyond.

“It’s a testament to excellent direction, a great team and also a fantastic American-made merchandise by being competitive and quality at exactly the same time that, as manufacturing companies, we could survive,” said Tate.

“We don’t have any doubts we can compete throughout the area – in Pittsburgh, Morgantown, Harrisburg… and we do. I mean, if you’re trying to find interior plantation shutters and a quality merchandise can be found by you, at a competitive price that’s hand made in America… why wouldn’t you purchase it, with perfect service? That is certainly what Pittsburgh is all about.”

Learn more about Show-Case Shutters here: http://www.showcaseshutters.com.

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Plantation Shutters: Who Loves Them the Most?

Interior plantation shutters continue to be a favorite craze – long after specialists predicted the fad would fade. Google analytics provides invaluable information about internet search engine tendencies.  Information that can assist you when looking for strongest shutter market – in a near real time fashion. While I don’t profess to be an expert with this tool I will tell you that even a layman will get invaluable information in short order.

Simple and to the point.

  • Utah
  • Florida
  • Louisiana
  • South Carolina
  • Virginia

Who is talking about “plantation shutters” ?


Virginia comes in a strong fifth, suggesting continuing interest in interior shutters.

Using this term we see that the strongest interest in Virginia is in the Hampton Roads region.

Using terms to try to understand how they are playing out according to Google analytics can get a bit tricky… especially when dealing with plantation shutters. One major thing I have noticed is that plantation shutters are not called plantation shutters everywhere.  IN fact as you start going north up the eastern seaboard and into the Ohio Valley they are referred to as interior shutters.  This change in terminology would obviously make a difference when researching terminology related to a product.

By example, use the term “plantation shutters” and then check out the heat map. While Virginia stays in the top-five, signaling a fluid use of both terms, three NEW states break into the top- five when using “interior shutters”:  Arizona, Massachusetts and North Carolina – which comes in number one, when this term is used.

Virginia is Split

In Virginia the term begins to change as you approach the DC metropolitan area.

The northern area of the state is the region that appears to be driving that data together with the Hampton Roads region not even registering when looking for the term “interior shutters.

None of this really matters unless you’re advertising your business. It’s clear that you must do the research to make ensure the keywords are the best keywords driving your customers to your on-line presence.  Better the keywords, better the SEO and chance for success.

Hardwood interior shutter prices in Virginia range from $25-$40.  Much of that depends on the brand and whether or not you can buy manufacturer direct. The best bargain can be found in a good manufacturer, like Show-Case Shutters.  The Virginia manufacturer provides a complete, full service package for one price.  That bundle should contain measurement consultation, custom manufacturing, installation, guarantee and any follow up service.

Be careful of dealers offering cheap shutters.  As the saying goes, “you get what you pay for.”  A sentence so true in the shutter business. The best way to avoid that pitfall is to simply do your research.  If your shutter manufacturer has plenty of good online reviews you are probably in pretty good shape.

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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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