Frequently asked questions

Golden West Shutters is the only company that makes plantation shutters in Orange County. Every panel is designed with the owners, then milled, finished and inspected at our Lake Forest factory, where we have built shutters since 1987. Our own finish carpenters install every one, and 60,000+ homes later we hold a 5.0-star Google rating. Walk in any time during business hours to see yours being built. See who builds your shutters · Plantation shutters made in Orange County

Dave, the owner, designs every Golden West shutter himself. Every shutter starts with a computer layout from your window's width and height. Ours doesn't stop there. Dave adjusts the details by hand with you: stile widths, rail placement, how far the frame builds out from the wall, and the panel pattern across each window. Because we build in our own Lake Forest factory, you end up with a shutter designed for your window, not just a default layout.

We are a shutter manufacturer. Google Maps lists us as a window treatment store because it has no category for shutter manufacturers. Since 1987 we have designed, milled, finished and installed every shutter from our own factory at 20561 Pascal Way in Lake Forest. Most window treatment stores sell made-to-measure shutters built by an outside factory. Ours are truly custom and built here.

A few things matter. Lead time is the biggest factor: most of our orders ship and install in 3 to 5 weeks, while an imported set typically takes 8 to 12. We also build for the specific opening, so off-square bays and unusual arched tops aren't problems. And when you call us, you reach the team that built your shutters, not a 1-800 line.

We use North American Basswood for our wood shutters. While all wood species used in manufacturing have their pros and cons, we particularly value the stability of North American Basswood: it does not warp. This durability is one of the key reasons for the high quality of our products.

We build panels up to 48 inches wide and guarantee their structural stability. The trend in plantation shutters is toward larger, more open designs with fewer visual obstructions, and we build to those sizes.

The Catalina White basswood plantation shutter is our most sought-after configuration: a 3.5" louver with a smooth finish and a standard detail frame. It works in most living rooms, bedrooms, and dining rooms in a typical Orange County home.

Certainly. Yes, Golden West Shutters offers custom color matching services. If you provide a specific color, we will match it exactly. If the color information is not available, we will match the paint or stain, and provide you with a physical sample for your approval before finishing the shutters. Your shutters will not be finished until you have approved the sample.

Regularly. Many Orange County communities specify shutter color and louver style. We build to those requirements and provide a physical finish sample for your approval before we cut anything. Orange County HOA rules

Yes. Our ten-step finish leaves a hard, smooth surface that doesn't trap dust the way unfinished wood or vinyl can. A dry cloth handles weekly upkeep, and a damp cloth handles anything stubborn. The wider 3.5" louver is particularly easy to wipe down.

Yes. Solid basswood and our Polylux composite both absorb heat rather than conducting it through the panel, which means closed shutters meaningfully reduce heat gain in summer and heat loss in winter. They also let you fine-tune light without giving up the whole room.

For all new orders of shutters, our lead times typically span from 3 to 5 weeks, influenced by seasonal variations and demand levels. Most installations are completed within a single day, though larger projects may require up to two days. Our installations are conducted exclusively by our trusted team of in-house installers.

Call 949-951-0600 or submit the contact form for a free in-home consultation. An owner, Dave or John, comes to your home with samples, measures every opening, and provides a written estimate. No charge, no obligation, no follow-up sales calls.

Our crew handles every install. No subcontractors. They arrive on schedule with floor and wall protection in place, hang each panel to your measured opening, adjust hinge tension and louver alignment on the spot, and walk you through every panel before leaving. Most few-room projects wrap in 2 to 4 hours.

Yes. Every shutter we manufacture and install carries a lifetime warranty on materials and workmanship. If something fails because of how we built it, we make it right.

Yes. Walk in any time during business hours. The showroom is open continuously. If you want a guided tour with one of the owners through the milling, finishing, and inspection floor.

No appointment is required for the showroom. Our address is 20561 Pascal Way, Lake Forest, CA 92630, just off the 241 Toll Road.

Yes. Start with a visit to our factory and save 5% on your order, even if you order later after we measure at your home. No coupon, no time limit. It's our way of thanking you for coming to see where your shutters are made.