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Imagine how uncomfortable would your home be without windows. However, windows are also the main threshold that keeps the flow of the heat and humidity through your house at bay; studies have shown that plantation shutters on windows can keep the indoors up to 90% cooler in the summer months and up to 50% warmer in colder months.

Plantation Shutter History
As hard as it is to believe, perhaps, the first window shutters originated in ancient Greece. They were made of marble, and were used for several reasons; during the day the shutters provided a ventilation system and allowed for the control of light entering the room while during the night, closed and bolted down, they offered privacy and security.

While shutters were becoming widely accepted throughout the Mediterranean, marble was not the easiest building material to use. As the idea spread to inland Europe, wood became the main shutter material within wealthy populations.

With a breakthrough in the production of glass in 16th Century, glass had become a fundamental building material for windows. However, it was quite expensive and fragile, leading to an even wider spread of window shutters, even outside of hot climate regions.

With the colonization of the “New World”, window shutters started to appear on the buildings in 18^th century; British valued their aesthetic and architectural impact while French and Spanish clearly understood their significance in providing shade, cooling system, and protection from storms and rains. Because of their practical use, the shutters were an essential part of buildings in the South Plantation area, thus getting the name plantation shutters.

These days, an increasing number of people have been inclined to use the shutters for increased security. With this feature in mind, a variety of metal and polymer constructions have been used. Metal roller shutters, usually made from steel, are a particularly strong and are still considered a security innovation, despite being around for decades. However, they aren’t aesthetically pleasing and can be somewhat expensive to buy and install.

The era evolves constantly, and in the 21st Century the use of polymer materials in shutters has become a common practice. Poly-wood constructions, poly-core innovations, and metal core additions for superior strength of the shutters are only some of the developments of the modern age. However, one of the most noteworthy is the production of eco-friendly shutters, made of FSC certified wood and other non-toxic materials.

Why Should I Use Plantation Shutters for My Home
Nowadays, window blinds are more commonly used to block the sun and provide privacy. However, plantation shutters can be used for the same purposes without reducing a home’s charm. As a matter of fact, window shutters are widely recognized as one of the most efficient energy-conserving window treatments; their impact is compared to a double glazing.