Plantation shutters are irrefutably beautiful. In fact, they are arguably the most aesthetically pleasing option for covering your windows, both inside and out. But, why are they so expensive when compared to regular blinds?
If you are on the fence and can’t quite decide if it is worth paying the extra money for plantation shutters, then this is the article for you. Let’s get a closer look…
Why are plantation shutters so expensive?
It’s no secret that plantation shutters are the most expensive window furnishing on the market, but why is that? What is it about plantation shutters that justify the higher price tag?
It’s all relative. Sure, plantation shutters cost more than other alternatives, but with good reason. For one thing, plantation shutters are the superior choice. They come with a wide range of advantages over standard blinds and curtains, which we will get to shortly. But first, you have to ask, are plantation shutters expensive, or does the cost reflect the quality of the furnishing?
- Plantation shutters are more durable and have a longer life: When you have plantation shutters installed in your home, you can rest assured that it will be a long time before they’re going to need replacing. In fact, a quality set of plantation shutters installed by professionals can last you up to 10 years and beyond! Regular blinds on the other hand can fall into disrepair well before that.
- Plantation shutters are labour intensive: Plantation shutters require much more in the way of preparation and assembly; manufacturing, precise measurements, quality materials, paint, etc.
- Custom-fit plantation shutters: Plantation shutters tend not to come as a one-size-fits all product. You can’t walk into a store and pick out some readymade shutters to install yourself as you would some regular blinds. Instead, a specialist will come to your property, measure up the windows, and create custom-made plantation shutters to fit your windows like a glove.
- Materials used: The overall cost of your plantation shutters will depend on the material that you choose. We will touch on this later in the article when we discuss ways that you can save money on your plantation shutters.
Do plantation shutters add value to a home?
When justifying the cost of having plantation shutters installed, a good question to ask is whether or not they will add value to your home; and the answer to that question is yes. Certainly, furnishing every window in your home with plantation shutters will be expensive in comparison to standard blinds or curtains, however, they will increase your property value.
Not only that, but plantation shutters will make your home much more attractive to potential buyers. This is due to the fact that plantation shutters are superior to most other alternatives with a wide range of advantages (not to mention the fact that they are aesthetically stunning and will be the envy of your neighbours).
How to save money on your plantation shutters?
Is there a way to save money on your plantation shutters? The fact is, just because, across the board, they are the most expensive option, it doesn’t mean that those working to a budget may not be able to afford them.
- Opt for cheaper materials: One of the biggest advantages of choosing plantation shutters is the fact that they come in a variety of style and material options. If you’d like to save some money, but still get to enjoy the practical and aesthetic benefits that come with plantation shutters, then you can choose a cheaper material. For example: vinyl and faux wood materials are significantly cheaper than hardwood.
- Install them yourself: If you are quite the handy DIY enthusiast and would like to save a bit of money, you can indeed install them yourself. However, it’s important to be aware of just how complicated and difficult this can be. When you hire the professionals, your plantation shutters will be installed by experts who carry out such a task on a daily basis. This means that you can rest assured of the highest quality of installation. Without experience, if you attempt this yourself, you could end up botching the job and having to call in the experts to fix them, costing you far more in the long run. Something to consider before making any commitments. In any case, you can have the experts come out and measure up, then manufacture the plantation shutters for you to install by yourself, thus saving you money. Just remember to take extra care and always DIY safe!
- Measure your windows and not the shutters: If you are replacing existing shutters, then we recommend measuring the windows and not the plantation shutters. You don’t want to run the risk of leaving gaps and ending up with shutters that are slightly too small. Unless of course you still have the exact measurements on hand when you had those shutters previously installed.
- Have them installed on the outside of your window: If you are really working to a budget then you can opt for having plantation shutters installed on the outside of your window instead. That way, you don’t need to worry too much about the measurements being perfect, allowing you to buy slightly bigger if needed whilst still getting the coverage that you need.
Conclusion
So, to conclude: why are plantation shutters so expensive? And the answer is: because they’re the superior option, hands down. They tend to cost more because of the labour-intensive manufacturing process, the precise installation required, and the materials that you decide to roll with. In any case, given the fact that they come with so many benefits, including adding value to your home, and an irrefutable charm, they’re worth every penny! If you’d like to explore some different material options or get an accurate estimation for your home, then why not check out Perth’s Boutique Plantation Shutters for some inspiration? With so much variety, you’ll be certain to find a style that fits your budget!
