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Plantation Shutters or Interior Shutters: What's The Difference?

This month, we're talking shutters. Plantation shutters, interior shutters, new wood shutters for your home; we're looking at it all. From ancient Greece to your modern Illinois home, this blog covers the treatment from its early inception to the latest advancements from Hunter Douglas. Join us as we explore the world of interior shutters.

A large kitchen with interior shutters on each window

Are Plantation and Interior Shutters Different?

Are plantation and interior shutters different types of window treatments? Long story short, no. Plantation shutters and interior shutters are, in a design sense, the same kind of window treatment made of tilting louvers installed to the interior of your window. In fact, this type of window treatment might go by many different names, including plantation shutters, colonial shutters, interior shutters, and wood shutters. The differences in nomenclature reflect this treatment's long and rich history worldwide.

History of Interior Shutters

Louvered shutters date back to ancient Greece, where they were most commonly made of marble or granite. The original shutters featured stationary louvers tilted to keep the weather out but still allow natural illumination and ventilation inside. Over the years, new materials were introduced to the design, including wood, which remains wildly popular today. The design was also updated with tilting louvers in a frame that moves in tandem for flexible but precise control.

Shutters grew to great popularity in the American South during the colonial antebellum period, where they picked up the nickname plantation shutters. Their versatile design and elegant style helped them spread nationwide and stay an in-demand choice for homeowners over the past century. Today, the term "plantation shutters" is falling into disuse as the industry tends to use the term "interior shutters" or a material-specific specification (like wood shutters or vinyl shutters) more often for naming.

Modern Interior Shutters

Hunter Douglas, a leading manufacturer of home window treatments, offers three types of interior shutters that marry the rich history of window coverings with modern advancements.

  • Heritance® Wood Shutters: Classic style meets modern craftsmanship with Hunter Douglas wood shutters. Available in over 20 finishes, including natural wood finishes, solid paint hues in contemporary neutral tones, and custom paint colors to exquisitely match your existing home decor.
  • Palm Beach™ Polysatin™ Vinyl Shutters: Homeowners can find enhanced resilience to moisture and UV with Hunter Douglas vinyl shutters. They are also the only interior Hunter Douglas shutter style compatible with PowerView® Automation for motorized shutters and smart control.
  • NewStyle® Composite Shutters: Designed for durability, these composite faux-wood shutters are ideal for high-traffic areas in your home or treatments that experience heavy use. For the busy, modern Illinois household, composite interior shutters can be one less thing to worry about.

Interior Shutters near Quincy, Illinois

Shop for modern interior shutters at Mr. K's Fabric Shop, located near Quincy, Illinois. Our team is happy to help you explore options from Hunter Douglas and their available upgrades for your Illinois home. At Mr. K's Fabric Shop, we work with homeowners in Quincy, IL; Hamilton, IL; Hannibal, MO; Monroe City, MO; and Keokuk, IA. Request a consultation today.