Most of the on line companies you have to install yourself or hire someone local to do it. I just know I have been looking for several months. I have a 4,200sq' home to put shutters, wood blinds, valances, curtains, area rugs etc, and I have to cut somewhere. I have installed blinds myself at our cabin, but DH will do the house. It really isn't that hard. We are doing the hinge attached to the window frame. It is really quite simple and as another poster said all he used was an electric screwdriver.

sarschlos, If you google Normandy shutters brochure, some PDF links will show pictures of some outside mounted shutters in case you want to replace your shutters. The outside mounted shutters look really nice from the PDF pics. I canÂt post PDF links on these forum boards. Not sure if it's possible. snookums, I love your room! DonÂt you love how shutters complement furnishings so beautifully? IÂm getting 3-1/2 inch louvers too. Sunburst does have a 4-1/2 inch louver option, just not 4 inch. IÂve found that many shutter brands donÂt offer sizes in whole numbers, only half sizes. KB Homes is a reputable builder. ItÂs good to hear the builder came through for you regarding its warranty. My house didnÂt come with frames or casings either. It worked out well for you anyway since you now have a gorgeous decorative frame surrounding your windows. The frame looked like it came with the house. I like it. What does Sunburst call that frame style? I canÂt remember from when the Sunburst rep last visited my house. I wish Sunburst was more competitively priced, otherwise I would have went with Sunburst. If you donÂt mind me asking, what type and brand of window was installed? I donÂt know how you got your window panel replaced with just removing the shutter closure magnets. How was that possible? skatiero, If your shutters fade just slightly from the sun and normal aging, at least they will match closer to your trim. The difference between the composite shutter sample color and my french door was pretty obvious to me. Did you notice any fading in your shutters? What type and brand of shutter do you have? How old are they? Just curious. I was also wondering if fading does occur, would the entire shutter fade? Or would there be any obvious lines of demarcation with one part of the shutter more faded than the other part if only one part gets more sun? If IÂm going overboard, let me know. I tend to pepper people with questions. :) A sales rep at JCPenney told me her shutters get the strong western sun. She said her real wood Avalon shutters are 4 years old and they're doing fine with no fading and warping. She chose Avalon because she needed an outside mount for her 2 inch sill and Avalon Shutters have a thinner profile. SheÂs very happy with them. I didn't choose Avalon because I wanted to put an end to my research and get the process started.

We've had various plantation shutters (not Norman Woodlore, though). In one home we didn't have trim on our windows, so the trim was provided with the shutters and this time we already had trim so I ordered them to be installed without the trim and both looked great. Also I have windows and trim that are white so selected white shutters. I agree that you should choose the one closest to your trim color. I didn't find white to look stark and it's not any harder to keep clean. I think shutters add a nice dimension to a room.

I love plantation shutters (softened with curtains, not standing alone, please!) and intend to install them in our new house -- we don't have the right windows for them in our current house. Yes to white shutters and white trim. These things aren't cheap, and white will see you through any changes in color scheme you may make later. Also, most people go with wooden floors -- your room can only take so much wood tone. Break it up with white. I'm confused about details though: - Wood, vinyl, or composite -- which will last and be the best value? - Is a plantation shutter in the bathroom (obviously not in the stream of the water) doomed to water damage? - I'm assuming it's cheaper to install the shutters AFTER the build is over -- not the builder himself?