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Archive for May, 2009

Distressed Shutters, and Specialty Finishes on Plantation Shutters

Friday, May 29th, 2009
Recently we have worked on a number of projects that have required specialty multi-step finishes.  Distressed Shutters have been especially popular lately.   This is one of my favorite things that we do, because we do it very well.    Lots of kudos must be given to the head of our finish department, Allen.   He has both the skill and the willingness to do this type of work.

How does this process work?

Any time we match a finish we request a physical sample.  This is incredibly important in specialty finishes because each finish is unique.   Did the original finisher have a heavy hand, or a light hand when he wiped off the glaze?  What tool was used to do the distressing?  A wire brush?  Chains?  A wheel?  There are an incredible number of variables, and since these shutters are often going up against millwork or paneling, it is critical to get a good match.

So we bring a sample that shows the finished look,  and the stain department does a strike-off (or sample) of their ability to replicate the finish on your plantation shutters.  This is then provided to the homeowner/designer for their approval.  Once approved, we proceed with the finish work.  Distressed, glazed, antiqued and sand thru finishes are going to have a longer than average lead time, due to the complexity of the finish.  But just like fine wine, it’s worth the wait.

Here are just a couple of photos of specialty finishes that have gone through our factory lately.

stained, distressed red oak shutters

stained, distressed red oak shutters

exterior shutters with a sand through finish

exterior shutters with a sand through finish

painted and glazed knotty alder result in an antique distressed look

painted and glazed knotty alder result in an antique distressed look

As nice as these distressed and specialty finished shutters look, they are all an effort to duplicate an old world look.  And the best way to get an authentic old work look is to use old wood.

Enter wormy chestnut……

For a history of this wood, see this link to our site http://www.kirtz.com/hardwoods/wormy-chestnut.html
The short version of the story is its old, like 100 years old.  So all that patina and distressing was actually earned by the wood through years of use.  Pretty cool, huh?   The picture below shows wormy chestnut shutters with a tobacco hued stain.  It looks great with a clear finish too, but this stain really gives it some nice warmth.  This wood, more than any other wood, is one that people gravitate towards when we put it on display.
wormy chestnut with a tobacco finish
Another wood that gives a nice authentic decayed look is Pecky Cypress. This wood has been attacked by a fungus that eats the wood.  This in turn makes lens shaped pockets throughout the tree.  The result is a very attractive multi-dimensional wood.   We treated this pecky cypress hardwood shutter with a heavy black glaze, thus intensifying the appearance of variation of the surface.
Pecky Cypress with a glazed finish

Pecky Cypress with a glazed finish

This is just a sampling of our work that I could pull up quickly this afternoon to show the variety in finishing techniques we use.  If you don’t see what you are after, that is only because you haven’t asked us to build (and finish) it yet.  Give us a call and lets see what we can do for you!

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Posted in About Us, Cool Projects, Plantation Shutter Design, Plantation Shutter Styles, design | No Comments »

Plantation Shutters as Doors and Partitons

Friday, May 22nd, 2009

Plantation shutters can and are often used as interior doors and paritions.   This is especially true in commerical applications.    The primary reason louvered doors are often use is to provide privacy, or create a definitive space, and still allow for air cirulation.    Dressing rooms and bathrooms stalls are both areas that you might frequently see a louvered door in commercial buildings.

In a residential application, these are frequently seen as doors in closets, water closets, or between rooms.. ie kitchen to dining.

Important things to know when using shutters as doors-

1)  consider depth ~ if the door is going into a door jamb opening, pay attention to the depth of your jamb.  For a water closet or closet door a standard shutter depth will usually suffice (Kirtz standard depth is 1 1/4″), but a standard interior door is usually 1 3/4″.  Be sure to choose a manufacture that can provide this custom depth (Kirtz can, and frequently does this depth of shutter)

2) consider design ~ will the apprearance of a standard shutter work?  Many planatation shutter manufactures use a drop rail construction.  This means that the rail (horizontal solid member) is not as deep as the stile (vertical side member)  of the shutter.  Doors typically have a flush stile and rail configuration (all the same depth).  If this is your preference, be sure to specify it.

3) louvers ~  fixed louvers are most prevelant for shutter doors.  Especially in a commercial application.  However, if you are sourcing a residential door, consider using a standard shutter configuration (with louvers and a tilt rod that allows louvers to be moveable).  You can simply tighten the tension screw down to keep the slats at the angle you prefer. Any louver offered by a shutter manufacturer can be used for a shutter door.  The most common sizes are 1 7/8″, 2 1/2″ and 3 1/2″.

4) shutter hardware ~HINGES–  A single shutter from Kirtz will come standard with 3″ butt hinges, each manufacturer may offer a slightly different hinge, so be sure to ask.    For a standard door configuration this will work.  If you need specialty hinges, such as for a pass thru door that needs to rotate 180 degress, be sure and  bring that up when you are specifying your shutter.  It does effect your finished shutter size.   HANDLES/KNOBS – most shutter manufacturers (Kirtz included) do not provide handles and knobs.  These can easily be sourced from your local hardware store and applied after installation.  However, you may want to discuss your plans with your salesperson, so that he/she can increase the stile (vertical side member) width to accomodate your hardware plans.  For instance, Kirtz standard stile is 2 1/8″ wide.  It can be specified at 2 1/2″ for no additional charge upon request.

Ths brief blog by no means explores every option available when ordering a custom shutter door from Kirtz.  Below are some photos of shutter used as doors.  If you have a special request, please call us and we will make every effort to accomodate your needs.

Cherry fixed louvered door, 1 7/8" louver

Cherry fixed louvered door, 1 7/8" louver

trim detail, fixed louver door

trim detail, fixed louver door

mahogany 2 1/2" fixed louver door, with divider rail

mahogany 2 1/2" fixed louver door, with divider rail

3 1/2" fixed louver door, with specialty finish

3 1/2" fixed louver door, with specialty finish

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Posted in Plantation Shutter Design, Plantation Shutter Styles, design | No Comments »

Arch Windows & Plantation Shutters

Monday, May 11th, 2009

Many new homes today have arch windows, often called eyebrow windows.  Most often they are used on the front of a home, to add architectural appeal.  When the homeowner moves in, they often discover that charming window doesn’t come with any easy solution when it comes to window treatments.      One of the best solutions is a plantation shutter.    It offers the best combination of light control (louvers are operable) and aesthetics (it compliment’s the shape of the window).

What makes a good quality arch shutter?  There are two key areas that make all the difference:

Proportion: Special shapes, like arches, take the greatest amount of skill to build, and it should be evident in the finished product.  The top part of shutter, called the rail, should stay the same width as it follows the arch top of the window.

Louvers: These should be moveable into the arch.  Do not be misled by manufacturers who take shortcuts, this is possible!

Arch opening, not Kirtz

Arch opening, not Kirtz

The photo above is an example of work done by a major manufacturer.  This arch shutter  has not had much attention to detail.    Notice how the top fixed portion of the shutter varies from panel to panel and fails to follow the line of the window itself.  The overall effect visually detracts from the arch appearance of the window.

Kirtz Arch Shutter

Kirtz Arch Shutter

Notice how the Kirtz plantation shutter arch has full operable louvers and a proportional top rail that compliments the arch of the window.  Nice, right?

How do we get this look when so many others do not?

It is really a matter of time and skill.  Each louver into the arched area is shaped by hand.  This extra step allows the louvers to close tightly into the arch area of the shutter.    What about those louvers the tilt rod does not reach?   A tilt mechanism (the same as used on our hidden tilt shutters) is applied on the backside of the shutter from the top louver down to the louvers that are controlled by the tilt rod.  This allows full operation (and light control) of all the louvers in the shutter panel.

It is all these small steps that culminate in a finished product that provides the best look.    Be sure to explore all these details when choosing your shutter manufacturer.

If initially you are not certain that you want to treat the arch portion of your window,  but do want plantation shutters on the lower portion of the window, you should discuss this with your sales person.  With a little forethought your shutters can be specified to allow you to order shutters for the top section of your arch at a later date.

100_0860

This photo is an example of a homeowner who took this approach to her windows.   The top of the shutter finishes at a nice height for a clean look.    If she chooses to add shutters to the top later,  it will give a finished look similar to the photo posted earlier in this blog.

Arch windows are beautiful, no doubt about that.  They can be even more stunning when properly treated with a plantation shutter that compliments the architecture of the window, and offers light and privacy control that can be so critical in these windows.

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Posted in Plantation Shutter Design, Plantation Shutter Styles, Why Kirtz?, design | No Comments »