Plantation shutters are called as such because they were originally found in southern states, appreciated for their aesthetics, sunlight protection, and insulating abilities. Besides keeping a room warm during the winter and cool during the summer, many people choose to install plantation shutters as they believe it helps with soundproofing.
Plantation shutters will help to block out external noise to an extent, especially if the shutters are made from thick, high-quality wood. That said, they will not completely soundproof a room in the same way that more invasive, expensive soundproofing methods will.
If you have some minimal to moderate noise pollution that you would like to hear less of inside your room or house, installing plantation shutters is a great way to help with that. In this article, we will go over how plantation shutters block out sound, the different types of plantation shutters, which plantation shutters are the most soundproof, and how much it will cost to install plantation shutters.
How Plantation Shutters Work to Block Out Sound
Sound has the ability to find its way into a room through many different ways, such as through the walls, floors, ceilings, doors and windows. Fixing any of these entry points with soundproofing materials will help to eliminate much of the sound that you hear in your room. However, when it comes to walls, ceiling, and floors, the steps to soundproof these surfaces are usually invasive and expensive.
The same is not true for windows, which you don’t have to replace entirely in order to add to their soundproofing. Many people simply hang up curtains or add blinds, for example, which will help to block out some sound but adding shutters (especially plantation shutters) is one of the best ways to soundproof a window without having to completely replace them.
Plantation shutters are made up of tilted wooden louvres and are made to fit exactly into a window frame. They open like doors, as opposed to the pull string that other window coverings use and can be made with any type of wood imaginable.
Since plantation shutters are adjusted to fit any window sill and are made to fit perfectly into one, they let very little noise travel through, which is also because of the wood it is made out of. It’s important to note that shutters are not always made from wood, however, it is more often than not.
The reason plantation shutters work better than curtains and blinds for soundproofing is that they are able to shut completely like doors and because wood is more soundproof than the materials used with other methods.
Now that you are familiar with the basics of plantation shutters and how they block out sound, let’s go over some of the most popular materials used to make them.
Popular Types of Plantation Shutters
There are a vast number of materials that are used to build plantation shutters with. How much a certain pair of shutters cost will depend entirely on where it is purchased from, how big the window it needs to fit is, the type of wood used, the number of windows, and numerous other factors.
The type of wood you use will likely have the greatest impact on how soundproof your shutters are. So, before we discuss which type of plantation shutters are the best to block out noise, let’s go over some of the most popular materials used for these products.
Smooth Hardwood
Smooth hardwood plantation shutters are great looking shutters that are also some of the most popular since they fit so well into most homes decor. Hardwood is a very fast-growing wood, and also has a great finish once it’s painted.
Smooth hardwood shutters are typically 100% lumber which means they fit well inside older style homes and will absolutely help with soundproofing.
Grained Wood
Grained wood is another great looking material used to build plantation shutters. This type of shutter looks quite sophisticated and natural thanks to the colour.
Like all other shutters, grained wood will help to reduce noise travel.
Wood Hybrid
Wood hybrid plantation shutters are cost-effective but will still complement a homes interior design, although many homeowners tend to prefer shutters made entirely from wood.
Made from both wood and stiles, wood hybrid shutters will help to block out the sound without breaking the bank.
Vinyl
Plantation shutters made from vinyl are among the most commonly purchased, mostly because of affordability and because they are usually waterproof. They are a practical option while still looking stylish and are sometimes built with an aluminium core for durability.
Now that you know some of the most common materials used to build plantation shutters, let’s discuss which ones are best used for soundproofing purposed.
Which Plantation Shutters Are the Most Soundproof
Of all the materials that are used to make plantation shutters, wood is definitely the most soundproofing. While other materials (such as vinyl and wood hybrid shutters) will certainly help to block out some noise, they will not be as effective as those that are solid wood.
So, if you have a lot of noise that you need to block out, choosing either grained wood or smooth hardwood shutters are the way to go. Also, the quality of wood and thickness of the shutter will have a large impact on how much sound gets through, so make sure to take that into account.
Now that you know which plantation shutters are the most soundproof, let’s look at what you can expect to pay to have them installed.
Costs of Installing Plantation Shutters
The costs of installing plantation shutters consist of both the material costs and the actual installation fees.
Plantation Shutter Material Costs
The material costs for plantation shutters will depend on factors such as:
- Type of material used
- Quality of the wood or material
- The size of the window
- How many shutters are needed
- The supplier or merchandiser
As you can expect, the price of plantation shutters will vary greatly. If you are purchasing shutters made from solid wood, expect to pay at least $100, with a more average price of $200, although the high-end shutters will cost thousands. For shutters made from vinyl or other materials, you can find these for purchase for as low as $50, and the price will rise depending on the quality.
Let’s now look at how much the actual installation fees will cost.
Installation Fees
The cost to install plantation shutters will depend mostly on who you choose to do the labour work.
The average cost of a general contractor or handymen is anywhere from $15 to $65, and the installation will likely take about one to three hours total.
Conclusion
Plantation shutters are a great way to help cover your window and block out some of the sounds that are able to find its way through. If you live with noisy neighbours or lots of outside noise, this can be a great way to improve the quality of your life.
Plantation shutters are also one of the most cost-effective methods to add soundproofing for a room. If you have a strict budget, take a look at vinyl or wood hybrid shutters. However, if you have the money and need to block out very loud sounds, then try to get some grained or smooth hardwood plantation shutters installed.