Real hardwood. Made in Palm City, Florida.
Custom Sunburst Plantation Shutters
A beautiful arch deserves a shutter built for its shape.
We custom-manufacture hardwood sunburst shutters in our own Palm City shop. Our American master craftsmen shape, fit and finish each piece for the opening it belongs to—not a standard rectangle placed over your arch.
Architectural Plantation Shutters, Inc. · Serving Florida homeowners since 1991
The short answer
What are sunburst plantation shutters?
A sunburst plantation shutter is an interior shutter with louvers that radiate from a central hub like a fan. It follows the shape of an arched or half-round window instead of hiding the curve behind a rectangular covering.
You may also hear it called a fan-shaped shutter, half-circle window shutter or sunburst arch shutter. The important distinction is the louver layout: a sunburst has a radiating pattern, while other arched plantation shutters can use horizontal louvers inside a curved frame.
Both can preserve the outline of a window. The right choice depends on the shape, the look you prefer, how you want to adjust the light, and whether you need access to the glass.
Find a shape like yours
Half-round, eyebrow and sunburst shutters with legs.
Not every arched window is a half-circle. These actual AP Shutters installations show how a fan-shaped louver pattern can follow different openings. You do not need to know the technical name: a straight-on photo of your window is a useful starting point.
Half-round sunburst
The familiar fan-top look: radiating louvers follow a rounded arch. Here, a separate sunburst sits above coordinating rectangular shutters. Homeowners also call this a half-circle or semicircular window shutter.
Eyebrow sunburst
An eyebrow arch is wider and shallower than a half-round. This installed fan-style shutter follows the low curve above the bedroom windows instead of covering it with a straight rectangular headrail.
Sunburst with legs
Also called an elongated sunburst, this shape has straight sides beneath the curved top. The fan pattern extends through the taller opening. It is different from a separate half-round sunburst placed above ordinary rectangular shutter panels.
Partial and asymmetrical fans
Some openings use only part of an arch or meet a corner. This example uses an off-center fan layout. If you are looking for quarter-round window shutters or a one-sided arch, send us the actual shape; not every partial arch is a true quarter-circle.
Shape names help describe the look; measurements, mounting depth and access determine the final design. The photos are examples of completed work, not a promise that every layout will suit every opening.
Inside our Palm City workshop
Real hardwood.
Hands-on craftsmanship.
This is custom manufacturing, not simply ordering an arch from a catalog. Our craftsmen build the sunburst in our shop, with attention to the curved frame, the individual louvers and how the completed assembly moves.
Before shop work begins, the opening guides the design. Its width, height, actual curve and available mounting space all matter. From there, the work moves from a shaped hardwood blank to a fitted fan assembly.
01 · ShapeRefine the outer arch
A craftsman shapes and smooths the outside curve of the hardwood blank. The arch is made for the opening, with hands-on attention to a continuous, even outline.
02 · RefineBring the curved frame together
With the inner opening cut, the curved frame is refined and sanded. This stage gives the fan-shaped louvers a carefully prepared surround and establishes the outline you will see in the finished shutter.
03 · FitShape the individual louvers
The fan is made from individually shaped hardwood louvers. Our craftsmen check their alignment and fit within the frame, so the sunburst reads as a balanced design rather than a collection of separate pieces.
04 · CheckCheck movement before finishing
The assembled fan is checked for louver movement and refined where needed. Surface preparation comes before final finishing. These small, hands-on checks are part of making a custom shutter work as well as it looks.
The workshop images show a shutter in progress, before final finishing. We show the craft here while keeping our detailed fabrication methods in-house.
Designed around your home
Start with the window.
Then choose the details.
A half-round window above a larger rectangular opening is a familiar setting for a sunburst. Shallower arches and partial or asymmetrical openings need individual assessment. A photo helps start the conversation; the final design depends on measurements and the conditions at your home.
The curve and the mounting depth
Look at the entire opening, including the surrounding trim. The frame needs a suitable mounting surface, and the louvers need room to operate without contacting the glass or nearby obstructions. An inside-mount look is not automatically possible in every opening.
The light you want to manage
Tell us whether your main concern is afternoon glare, privacy or keeping the arch visible. Adjustable sunburst louvers can change the light and view through the opening. A shutter is not a promise of complete blackout, and a high window needs an access plan if you expect to adjust it regularly.
The shutters below it
A separate sunburst above rectangular shutters can make the arch a focal point. Coordinating the finish and frame details helps the upper and lower sections feel intentional. For a quieter horizontal look, ask about an arched shutter with horizontal louvers instead.
Made here, for your home
Why real hardwood matters for a custom sunburst.
Our sunburst shutters use real hardwood construction. Working with wood lets our shop shape the curved frame and individual louvers as part of a coordinated architectural feature. The material, the fit and the finish all contribute to the result.
The word “hardwood” describes the wood category; it does not mean the shutter is waterproof or maintenance-free. Discuss any direct splashing, window leaks or persistent condensation before choosing an interior wood shutter—especially for an arch above a bathtub.
We manufacture in Palm City, so you can discuss a specialty opening with the team responsible for the work. The most useful question is not simply “Can you cover this arch?” It is “How will this shutter fit, look and function in my room?”
Learn about our basswood shutters →From Florida homes
See how specialty shutters fit into a whole room.
A sunburst can stand on its own or coordinate with shutters throughout the home. These AP Shutters projects show how the arch relates to the surrounding windows.
Helpful answers before you order
Sunburst shutter questions, answered.
Can sunburst plantation shutters open and close?
Our sunburst shutters have movable louvers, which we check during assembly. Tilting the louvers is different from opening the entire frame. Ask us how your proposed design will adjust and how you will reach the glass for cleaning; do not assume every specialty shutter swings open like a rectangular panel.
What is a sunburst shutter with legs?
It is a fan-style shutter for a taller arched opening with straight side sections below the curve. You may hear it called an elongated sunburst. The radiating louver pattern fills the extended shape; it is not simply a half-circle fan sitting above a separate rectangular shutter.
Can you make an eyebrow arch window shutter?
Yes, we custom-manufacture sunburst shutters for shallow eyebrow arches as well as other specialty openings. The eyebrow example in the gallery shows a wide fan above rectangular panels. The exact curve and the space available for the frame need to be checked for your window.
What is the difference between sunburst and arched shutters?
“Arched” describes the outline of the window or shutter. “Sunburst” describes the fan-shaped arrangement of the louvers. A sunburst is one way to cover an arch; a curved-top shutter with horizontal louvers is another.
Can you make shutters for a half-circle or unusual arch?
We custom-manufacture sunburst shutters and other specialty shapes. A true half-circle, a shallow arch and an asymmetrical opening should not be treated as the same shape. Send a straight-on photo of your window and the surrounding trim so we can discuss the appropriate next step.
Are your custom sunburst shutters made locally?
Yes. AP Shutters manufactures its hardwood sunburst shutters in its own Palm City, Florida, shop. Our American master craftsmen carry out the custom fabrication rather than simply installing an off-the-shelf sunburst.
How much do custom sunburst shutters cost?
They are individually quoted. The size and shape, frame details, finish, mounting conditions and installation access affect the scope. A standard rectangular-shutter price should not be used as a sunburst quote. Our Florida plantation shutter cost guide explains general budgeting; ask for a written quote for your actual arch.
How should I clean a hardwood sunburst shutter?
Use a soft, dry cloth or a gentle brush to remove dust, and follow the care guidance for your finish. Avoid soaking the wood or forcing a louver that resists movement. If the arch is out of reach, discuss safe cleaning access rather than leaning from a ladder or across furniture.
What should I send when asking about my window?
A straight-on photo, a wider photo showing the room and trim, your town, and your main goal—privacy, glare control or appearance—are a useful start. Approximate dimensions can help an initial discussion, but they are not a substitute for final measuring.
Your window, thoughtfully considered
Have an arch you are not sure how to cover?
Talk with our Palm City team about the shape, the room and what you want the shutter to do. We can help you explore whether a custom hardwood sunburst is the right fit.
Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River counties. Ask us about service at your address.
