Feedback on "Plantation View" Doors & Windows.

I used them to put pretty west indian style hurricane shutters on the front of my house. Specify what wood you want to use. I didnt know what I was doing and the mistakes were mine but I kinda believe they should have helped me through the process. They used heavy MDF. It will last forever but trying to find someone who would hang these INCREDIBLY heavy shutters was not easy. I didnt even think to answer that question. Also they wouldnt come out and measure. My measurements were a few inches off on some of the windows, so be really really careful.

I used panels for the rest of my house, you cant see the others sides from the road so it shouldn't hurt curb appeal. I used whytcliffs for the panels and was very happy with their service. They came out and measured, knew where the problem areas would be and gave me options on what I wanted to do. They installed everything (included in price) and put them all up and took them all down so I knew they worked.

So I would recommed Whytecliffs. They also do west indian type shutters. The price to do 3/4 of my house in panels was cheaper then the west indian shutters from plantation view for just the front of my house. I would not use plantation view unless you know a good carpenter or unless they are now installing their own work. Plantations doors and windows do look beautiful but I've been told by quite a few contractors that you can get the same ones in PR for 1/3 to 2/3 less.

I did price all the shutter people in town except for the ones over by hovensa, by NAPA (never noticed them til after). Not alot of difference in price unless you ship them here.

So all in all it was a very good learning experience. Why is dealing with contractors always a learning experience??? lol

they are gorgeous.
they are made on island.
they hold up well.

Betty, Beeski, Thank you for you thoughts.

Betty, I am planning to use Red Cedar, I am looking right now to do the windows and doors, however, shutters were next on the list so thanks for the insight and recommendation, I will check out Whytecliffs 🙂

Regards,
Dante

betty i
its not all contractors, i know a few that are actually honest and reliable. i guess you just didnt know who to use.

I used them and spent $70k. Work quality was not good at all. It took them 8 months longer then they said. All the doors and windows leak with each rain. The finish is coming off. I have had them for one year now, and am still very sorry I used them. My next door neighbor also is very upset with them and he spent $145k for his doors and windows, and will not finish paying them till they made the water stay out of the house. Try Dunican Design. He and Dave from Plantation were partners but parted ways. I have seen Franks work and it is very nice. Hope this helps.

Hi Bruno,

I too am planning on West Indian style shutters for my home. I am off island and am not finding a listing for Dunican Design. Can you supply it for me?
Much obliged!

There's a Dunigan Designs, 110 Est. Castle Coakley #24, 340-713-1200 in the White Pages.

bruno
you could have built a house on what you paid for shutters, and your neighbor??? wow. now i know you could not really build a house but you get the idea

Thanks, I was looking for DuniCAN, not Dunigan!

I know but figured the spelling might be off.

if you are talking about doors and windows, why not marine grade hardware and vinyl covering? Lasts alot longer and doesn't have the swelling/shrinking and upkeep which are characterstic of wood. Maybe the West Indie style is the difference. Are maybe looks trumps all. Not me...low maintenance is the key driver.

There is no Dunican. You are actually looking for Dunigan Designs. They're the best. Stand by their work. Honest. They are extremely busy, so get your order in as soon as you can. Their email is jack@dunigandesigns.com (I think).

RUN! Run as fast as you can. This company has a very bad reputation. Go with Dunigan Designs.

MDF??? Really? I've been told by every builder/cabinetmaker that MDF and the Virgin Islands are not compatible.

Hey Betty--

I too have been warned against using MDF here and and am very surprised to hear you're using it outdoors and are satisfied with it. I really do learn something new every day!

Its not the lightweight MDF that most use to build furniture and cheap interior cabinets, its heavy mdf. It weighs a ton and does very well with the moisture. They've been up over a year now and have gone through OMAR. The only problem I have as I mentioned in the last post is they did not do the measuring, I did, so one set is a little short. The carpenter put in a lip, but that fell off during Omar. So it bang all through the storm. Other then that they're fine. I would not use plantation again though.

Its so hard period to find a good company and contractor here. Just had one run off with the deposit money and have to track him down. Do not use David Parker on stx!!! We need a thread to recommend and bash the bad contractors. I'm so tired of them taking advantage, doing a bad job or just plain stealing! Equally I would love sharing the info about the good ones.