4 Facts about Plantation Shutters for French Doors You Must Know

Plantation shutters for French doors are another alternative that you can consider. They can add privacy whenever needed while still allow you to be able to see the outside views. They are also beneficial for blocking the sunlight when it is too bright.

Unfortunately, there are still many people who have French doors in their home designs and are not familiar with this kind of treatment yet. It means they also do not know about all the benefits and related facts about it.

If you are one of them, it would be nice if you know further about the plantation shutters. This way, you can later decide if it is the right selection for your French doors or not.

To help you out on that case, here we already provide you complete plantation shutters facts. Of course, all the points that we will mention in the following will also show the relation between the accessories and the French door type.

1. Definition of Plantation Shutters

Before we talk about the use of plantation shutters as French doors treatment, it would be nice if we talk about the definition first. Something like this will be beneficial for you who are not familiar with the accessories.

In simple words, plantation shutters are a type of window treatment. The part that makes them different from any other similar accessories is the moveable louvers.

The unique name that these accessories have seems to come from the fact that they were initially used in plantation homes. In the old days, the usage is only on windows exterior for closure as well as protection from the sunlight. However, right now, they are also suitable to use in many parts of interior designs.

About the usage of plantation shutters, it experienced changes too. Right now, they are not only used for windows but also for doors, including the ones with French style that becomes the main topic of this post.

Although so, the ones designed for the doors can be a bit different since it usually has a cut-out. It has a relation to the existence of the handles or knobs of the entrance.

2. The Louvers of Plantation Shutters

As told earlier, moveable louvers or slats are the unique parts of plantation shutters. An interesting fact that you must know is that this detailing often makes people confused. That is why they mistakenly think that plantation shutters are the same as the traditional ones.

The question then is: are they the same? The answer is NO.

The main difference is in the size of the louvers. Traditional shutters usually have less-wide sizing, which is between 2 ½ up to 3 ½ inches. On the other hand, the slat size in the plantation-style is more extensive, which is around 1 7/8 up to 5 ½ inches.

The wider louver size like this is the one that makes the plantation shutters a suitable choice for something bigger than a regular window. In this case, the thing is none other but the French doors.

The bigger louvers bring benefits. For example, it gives you more expansive views of the outside from inside the house. Other than that, it also allows the interior to gain more sunlight.

Whenever needed, it can also block the light and give the privacy you need. All you have to do is closing the shutters in this case. Because of this fact, people often relate these doors and windows accessories to energy efficiency too.

3. Plantation Shutters as an Elegant Treatment for Your French Doors

While in the old days people used to see plantation shutters more because of their primary functions, nowadays people can see it differently. It has a relation more to the fact that these accessories can add an elegant touch to the already-beautiful French doors.

If seen from the entire design, including also from the existence of the louvers, it is undeniable that the look of the plantation shutters is beautiful. In a more specific way, we can say that it has a contemporary touch in it.

That is why people mention it as a compatible selection for any modern-style interior. Although so, it does not mean that you cannot use it in your traditional design too.

Most plantation shutters that are available right now are in neutral white color. This one is considered to have more fans too.

However, some other design variations do exist. They include the stained or the ones that come in different natural wood tones.

4. Different Types of Plantation Shutter You Can Choose for French Doors

When we talk about the types of plantation shutters that you can select for the French doors in your house, we will talk more about the material choices. In this topic, there are primarily three selections available, and we will list all of them in the following.

Wood

The reason why we choose to give you information about wood plantation shutters first here is that this material is the oldest and the most common one. It has been used for a long time ago, and people are still using it now, mainly because of the design flexibility and the warm natural look.

Right now, there are quite a lot of wood choices available for French doors plantation shutters. Two examples from the hardwood category are oak and maple.

For you to know, these hardwood species can create the highest quality plantation shutters you can pair with the French doors. They have a high quality that can make the accessories last longer.

Another thing you need to know about hardwood material like maple, oak, or the others is that you can use it for creating a coordinating look when there are also wooden structures, furniture, and accessories in your interior. Plus, this material naturally has a more pleasant look.

With all these details, it is reasonable then if this kind of material cost more cash than the others.

Other than oak, maple, and some other hardwood species, there is basswood that people often consider also as an excellent and popular selection. The reason is that it is very light and soft, but it is sturdy too at the same time. That is it they can match the closing and opening mechanism of the plantation shutters excellently while providing the strength that can guarantee the durability.

However, the lightness and softness of the hardwood material can result in a problem. It is that the plantation shutters become prone to denting.

About this, an additional reinforcement that can improve the rigidity of the shutters is required. Other than that, in many cases, the width and height of the door treatment are often limited because of the same thing.

Engineered Wood

This material also goes by the name of composite or faux wood. It is the more affordable alternative that can give you a wood look on the plantation shutters.

The primary material of engineered wood is MDF, which is a medium density fiberboard. That does not come alone because usually, the shutters from this material will also get a PVC or vinyl coating. It can enhance the sturdiness of the plantation shutters so that the durability value will increase too.

Another excellence that you must know from this material for the French doors treatment is that it comes with excellent resistance to humidity and weather conditions. That is why the engineered wood shutters are also perfect for installing in a bathroom area or even as a part of the home exterior.

Vinyl

It is the most affordable choice among all, so you can consider it when the budget to provide treatment for the French doors is quite limited. Vinyl plantation shutters are also resistant to moisture and weather-related conditions. The Unfortunate is that it still has a synthetic look that makes some people lose interest in choosing it.

Wood is a more flexible choice when it comes to the design because you can paint or stain it. However, vinyl is not like that because the color is usually already prefabricated in the manufacturing process.

Another thing you must know about the material is that it usually has some structural issues, mainly when the size of the shutters is rather large such as the one used to cover the French doors. About this, they often come with aluminum or PVC supports that can enhance stability.

Right now, there are at least five different types of vinyl shutters you can find at stores. Those include vinyl-clad-wood, solid, solid with aluminum inserts, hollow, and structured hollow.

5. Design Ideas

Plantation shutters that you can use to cover French doors are not only available in different material choices. They also exist in a lot of design variations to match with various interior styles.

Below are some ideas that we can find for you.

Medium Hardwood Plantation Shutters on White French Doors

Where to buy: Lafayette Interior Fashions

The first idea that we want you to take a look exists in this picture of a traditional dining room. Originally, this place has a pair of white French doors as the entrance. There are some coordinating windows added in the design too.

In the pic, the doors get medium hardwood plantation shutters with the handle cut out as the treatment. If you look closely, they come with hinges, which means you can open them.

The interesting detail about these plantation shutters is the natural brown wood appearance that is still visible in the design. It can enhance the warm look as well as richness in the dining area, so it becomes a cozier place to enjoy meals.

Beige Custom Plantation Shutters on French Doors

Where to buy: Windo Van Go

In this next idea, you can see that the plantation shutters can blend excellently with other items in the midcentury family room because of the beige color that they have. It is proof of the benefit that you can get from this kind of French doors treatment.

It is none other but the fact that you can paint or stain them freely when they are made of wood or faux wood. If they are from vinyl material, they are also available in a lot of prefabricated color choices you can match with your interior color scheme effortlessly.

White Plantation Shutter on White French Doors

Where to buy: DECO Window Fashions

In this idea, you can see the use of the most favorite and common color of plantation shutters to treat French doors. However, it is not the essential inspiration that we want you to see in the design.

With this pic, we want to say that the shutters are an excellent choice to create or support a beach interior style. Besides, they are also marvelous for building up a cottage look too. In the beach-style living room above, you can see that the doors and the shutters look beautiful as the companion of the white interior trim also.

White Plantation Shutters to Cover the Glass of French Doors

Where to buy: Southern Accent Shutters and Blinds

This picture contains an example of another plantation shutters design. It is the one that covers only the glass parts instead of the entire French doors. In other words, you can see the original look of the door if you choose this type of plantation shutters.

The color of the accessories here is the same as the color of the doors. That is why, at a glance, they look like an original part of the entrance instead of shutters that you can attach and detach whenever you want.

Brown-Stained Plantation Shutters as Glass Cover in White French Door Design

Where to buy: DECO Window Fashions

Plantation shutters that cover only the glass parts of the French doors are also suitable for creating a contrasting look in your interior design. An example is available in the dining room picture above.

The shutters here get the brown tone from a staining process. Although it looks different from the color of the doors, it can still fit in the room color scheme easily because some other details also have the same or at least similar natural brown wood tones.

White Plantation Shutters on Black French Doors

Where to buy: Ford Window Treatments

French doors are not always in white color. Some homeowners want to create a bold look by painting them in a black tone, as shown in the transitional family room pic.

The door design here looks even more attractive because it is treated with wood plantation shutters in white color. The contract look resulted from the combination brings and the classic black and white combo that is perfect for the monochromatic color scheme.

Grey Plantation Shutters on White French Doors

Where to buy: Rose’s Drapery Designs

A grey plantation shutter can also be an excellent choice to decorate your French doors. If you do not want the interior design to look cold because of the entrance treatment, you can choose a warm gray or greige tone for them.

The one you see in the contemporary living room project above is an example. The plantation shutters here are attractive not only because they have a warm grey tone but also because of the somewhat different handle cut out, which is rectangle instead of in rounded shape.

Black-Stained Plantation Shutters on Black French Doors

Where to buy: Rockwood Shutters

Do you want to create a bold look in your interior? If yes, why don’t you try to choose black color for both of the French doors and plantation shutters?

Take a look at the entire door design in this industrial bedroom. Even there are no other details on the grey walls, the entrance is enough to create boldness in there.

However, you need to notice that some other parts of the bedroom are also in black, including the leather chairs, the exposed iron beams, and the floor lamp. They become the reason why it seems effortless for the doors to fit in the room.

Elegant Custom-Stained Wood Plantation Shutters on Brown French Doors

Where to buy: Lightbenders Louver Designs

To create elegance, you can try to color the plantation doors in a specific tone that will also meet your taste. In the pic above, the accessories have a custom color that looks the same as the one applied to the French doors.

Adding color to the plantation shutters by a painting process can work on both wood and faux wood material. However, you can cause some damages if you stain faux wood.

In the example above, the plantation shutters are from wood, and they get a custom stain for the coloring. This color is the same as the doors, the sidelights, the transom windows, and even the entire entrance frame.

Plantation Shutters That You Can Open

Where to buy: Sunburst Shutters and Window Fashions

The last idea that we want you to take a look here is not about the look of the plantation shutters. It is more about the mechanism applied to them.

The example in the picture does not only have louvers that can be opened and closed. You can see that there are also hinges in the shutter design that makes it possible for you to open the treatment to get a full outdoor view through the doors.

A design like this is best to choose when you do not have any window near the doors. In other words, the plantation shutters here give you both entrance and window function at the same time.

6. Closing

The conclusion from all the information that we have shared with you here is that plantation shutters for French doors work just the same with any other treatment kinds you can use for the entrance type. It is primarily in the way they can block the outside natural light as well as giving the privacy you need in the inside of the house.

However, it is undeniable that the shutters give a distinct type of stylish look for the doors. They can even show compatibility when used in beach or cottage interior design.

The different choices of material give you a chance to find the most suitable option to fit with your home conditions the most. Besides, there are various price ranges available too so that you can find one on your budget.

So, what do you think about all those? Are plantation shutters the right treatment choice for the French doors in your house?