Our Plantation Shutter Installation Methods
50% of a shutter’s fit and finish is attributable to the build processes, while the other half is tied to the quality of the installation methods used. We pay attention to small details that help set our shutters apart from others.
Dedicated Install Team
We don’t use generic contractors or part-time help for installations. We have a team that is dedicated exclusively to installations - they perform up to 5 installations a day, 5 days a week. Our team has performed over 10,000 installations - which should give you peace-of-mind that we can handle most shutter-related scenarios that can arise. How an installation is performed has a big impact on how your shutters end up looking and functioning.
Clean Installs
We know that it's not just a house, it's your home. That's why we always make sure to leave the space cleaner than we found it --whether during initial measurements, or the final installation. We even wear shoe covers and use our vacuums, because keeping your home clean matters to us. We're careful to keep doors closed behind us to ensure your beloved pets stay safely inside.
Nail-Free Frame Faces
Many shutter installer simply shoot 16-guage nails through the front face of the shutter frame to attach it to the wall. Unfortunately, this method leaves 3 mm wide holes that need to be patched - which oftentimes does match the paint color of your frame. To avoid this, we shoot all nails through the inner jamb of the shutter frame, which is the most out-of-sight option. We also fill all nail holes with caulking to help them blend in.
Height Equalization
When you have a set of multiple windows side-by-side, it is rare for the heights of the windows to be the same. A common variance in heights for sets of windows is 1/4" to 3/8", but can even be 1/2" and greater. We examine the sets of multiple windows and equalize the heights of the shutters, which aligns the tops of the shutter frames for symmetry.
Concealed Wall Gaps
Some homes have walls where there is a substantial curvature or warping when comparing the bottom of the wall to the top of the wall. When you place a straight shutter onto a curved wall, a gap will exist between the shutter frame and the wall. If the curvature is great enough, you will see lines of light radiating through the gap. We caulk the gap between your wall and shutter frame in any case that light is visible.
Chair Rail Trimming
Many homes have a decorative "chair rail" in formal dining rooms, as well as breakfast nooks and other rooms. The purpose of chair rail is to stop a chair from dinging or marring the wall. In order for our shutter frames to fit in place, we trim the chair rail so that your shutter frame is nicely nested between the two sections of chair rail.
Flush Tile Backsplashes
We integrate our plantation shutter frames with your tile backsplash so that you get an installation that looks truly custom. No bulky transitions here - we selectively increase the thickness on the back of our frame to be the same thickness as your tile (most commonly 1/4" or 3/8") in targeted areas. This presents a nicely finished frame that integrates with your backsplash.
Kitchen Sink Magnetization
Windows over the kitchen sink are often placed quite closely to the sink faucet. In many cases, if a shutter is hinged, the shutter will contact the faucet when the shutter is opened on its hinges. To avoid this, we magnetize the shutter in four corners so that it can "pop" in and out of place. This allows for easy access when needed for cleaning, while avoiding the obstacle of the faucet.
Customized for Clearances
Some homes have windows that feature a combination of latches and window cranks. In many cases we are able to modify our frames to preserve functionality of these features. We often modify the rear "light strip" portion of our frame to gain extra clearance for cranks and latches. If modification of the frame is not possible, a special"outside-mount"frame may be used to provide proper clearance.