Modern shutters are a beautiful design element that can accent the exterior of a
house or provide an elegant way of controlling light and visibility from the inside.
They are available in a variety of materials, styles, sizes and colors, and may
be functional or purely decorative. In modern houses, shutters are an attractive
design element, but they have a long history of practical use all over the world.
Before glass was common or affordable, shutters were the primary way of closing
off window openings from weather, wildlife and intruders. They could be opened to
allow in light and ventilation, and were easily closed when needed. In harsh climates
such as Northern Europe, shutters were generally made of strong, solid panels of
wood that could be closed and barred for both warmth and safety.
In milder climates, shutters were used more to provide a visual barrier for shade
and privacy, while allowing full airflow for ventilation. In ancient Greece, it
is thought that shutters may have been made of marble with fixed louvers. The use
of louvers, or tilted slats, allows the inhabitants of a house to enjoy both air
and light from the window, while blocking full visibility into the house and shedding
rainwater outside the window. As the idea spread from Greece to other areas, louvered
shutters were made of wood, with mobile louvers that could be tilted further up
or down with the use of a tilt bar. Mobile louvers allow a far greater degree of
control over how much light, and therefore visibility, the shutters allow to pass
through. They can be closed to block all but the faintest slivers of light, or opened
fully to allow a high degree of light and visibility.
Shutter Styles
Panel Shutters
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Panel shutters provide a solid surface, often decorated
with raised panels like many doors have, although they may also be found in a rustic
board design. In decorative shutters, the panels often have a cut-out shape at the
top, such as a tree, star or stylized animal shape. Functional panel shutters are
uncommon, since most houses have storm windows as well as glass or vinyl windows
to keep out the elements when the weather gets rough.
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Colonial Shutters
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Colonial style shutters are made with mobile louvers that
generally measure 1 1/4" wide. This style was popular in the Northeastern United
States from the colonial period on, but it has also gone through phases of popularity
in other areas. Many decorative external shutters mimic the colonial style, although
with fixed rather than mobile louvers. Functional interior shutters are often made
in this style, which is both attractive and allows a degree of adjustability that
fixed louvers don't.
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Plantation Shutters
Plantation style shutters are similar to colonial style shutters, but they have
wider louvers. With louvers from 2 1/2" to 4 1/2" wide, plantation style shutters
provide much more visibility when the louvers are tipped up than colonial style
shutters do. This style was popularized by plantation owners in the Southern United
States and similarly warm climates, where allowing greater airflow and light was
an advantage. Plantation shutters are traditionally painted white, but may be done
in a variety of colors in modern applications. They are especially popular for larger
window treatments, where the wider louvers can make a very noticible difference
from the colonial style.
Bahama Shutters
Most functional shutter styles are hinged on either side of a window, or in some
situations on one side of the window. Some shutters, however, are hinged at the
top of the window and open up rather than out to the side. When this type of shutter
is open (generally held by a dowel or similar mechanism), it hangs up over the window
like an awning, providing shade from the sun. Because this function is more commonly
desired in tropical climates, this style is often referred to as Bahama or Bermuda
shutters.
Cafe Style Shutters
Cafe style shutters are generally made in the colonial style, but the shutter is
only designed to cover the lower half of the window when closed. This style, obscuring
the lower half of a window while leaving the upper half clear, was first popularized
in cafes, where the shutter provided privacy to patrons while the unshaded upper
half of the window provided light. That dual function is still one of the main attractions
of this style, along with the decorative uses.
Double Tier Shutters
Double tier shutters are made in two levels so that the upper half and lower half
open and close separately. When both halves are closed, the window is fully blocked.
With the double tier design, however, the owner has the option of leaving the top
open cafe style, leaving just the bottom open, or having the shutter entirely open
if they prefer. Each tier also has its own tilt bars, so the louvers of each section
can be set at different angles if desired.
Functional Exterior Shutters
Functional exterior shutters are unnecessary in houses with modern windows and storm
windows, so they are very rare. In most cases, only owners concerned with having
an accurately restored historic home will go to the expense of installing functional
external shutters. Once installed, they also require periodic maintenance to remain
functional, whereas decorative fixed-mount shutters may not require any more attention
than the siding of the house. In hurricane areas, some homeowners even choose to
use custom made, hurricane rated shutters for their window protection.
In theory, any shutter can be functional if installed correctly, but in practice
it can be very difficult to find off-the-shelf shutters that will fit a window properly.
Owners who want functional exterior shutters will generally find it most effective
to have them custom made, although this is a more expensive option. Functional exterior
shutters are generally made of wood, although some companies are now producing high
quality fiberglass options.
Functional exterior shutters should fit inside the window opening when closed, with
no gaps around the edges. When closed, the louvers should point down towards the
outside of the house, so that they will shed rainwater effectively. This means that
when open, the louvers point down towards the wall of the house, although most decorative
fixed-mount shutters display the opposite orientation. If the shutters are purely
decorative, the orientation doesn't matter as long as the homeowner is happy with
how they look.
Decorative Exterior Shutters
Most exterior shutters are entirely decorative. Because they don't need to close,
the shutters can be mounted next to the window by being screwed directly into the
exterior wall. Decorative vinyl shutters are often sold with color-matched fasteners,
so that the fastening is less noticible. It is also generally recommended to choose
a shutter size that matches the window height fairly closely. Shutters that are
far too small or far too large for a window can be visibly jarring and make an unfavorable
impression rather than an attractive decoration.
While shutters that move need to be made of a relatively light, strong and stable
material such as basswood or cedar, decorative shutters can be made of almost any
material. There are a wide variety of UV stabilized vinyl shutters in this market,
in a range of sizes and colors. They are also easily spray painted to match or complement
the color of the house. Vinyl has the advantage of being easy and inexpensive to
produce, and it also requires little to no maintenance. This makes it a very affordable
and convenient option for homeowners. Because they are meant to be mounted permanently,
most vinyl shutters only have the shutter details on the front, visible side, with
a plain, unworked back.
Shutters are also available in a variety of woods. Wood shutters are often sold
unfinished so that the homeowner can finish or paint them in a color appropriate
for the house. The finish may be chosen to match other wood features such as trim,
doors, and decks, or may simply be in a shade that the homeowner enjoys.
Along with the shutters themselves, matching decorative elements can be added to
the top of the shutter and window. This can create an attractive visual impression
of an arched or linteled window and shutters with very little effort.
Most decorative exterior shutters cost less than $100 for a pair, and some models
and sizes cost as little as $20.
Interior shutters are far more likely to be functional than solely decorative. Many
homeowners choose interior shutters as an attractive alternative to curtains or
blinds, and off-the-shelf shutters are available in a wide variety of sizes and
shades. Most interior shutters are either plantation style or colonial style, although
double tier and cafe styles are also popular.
In many ways, choosing interior shutters can be more challenging than choosing exterior
shutters. Interior shutters used as window treatments serve the double purpose of
privacy and decoration, and should be chosen accordingly. On the functional side,
it is important to choose shutters that will fit the windows well, so that there
are no gaps when closed, and so that they allow maximum light when open. Most functional
interior shutters have mobile louvers, so the tilt bar should move easily, stay
in position when adjusted, and all of the louvers should tilt evenly and smoothly.
The choice of shutter style is a matter of both taste and function. Many people
have a preference for the look of either colonial or plantation shutters, and each
has distinct functional characteristics. Plantation shutters have much wider louvers,
so when open, they allow a largely unobstructed view both in and out. Colonial style
shutters have narrower, more closely spaced louvers that still allow light through,
but with a more difficult view of the other side. This can be an advantage when
light with some privacy is desired, but may be a disadvantage if there is a spectacular
view to enjoy outside. Shutters may also be combined with other types of window
treatments such as curtains, blinds and sashes. Cafe style shutters can be combined
with a short curtain or blind over the upper half of the window. While this approach
may work well in some settings, using multiple window treatments can become cluttered
or overwhelming. Carefully consider your personal style and the rest of the decor
in the room to decide which approach is most appropriate.
Shutters should generally be chosen to match the rest of the decor of the room and
house. The homeowner may choose to use shutters throughout the whole house or as
an accent in a specific window or windows. Either way, the shutters should match
or complement the trim of the window. Clashing finishes can distract from the charm
of the shutters and completely change the visual effect of a room. It is also useful
to consider the color scheme and other design elements of the surroundings, so that
the shutters will contribute to the overall look rather than detracting from it.
Shutters can be a dramatic or charming addition to any home, as long as care is
taken in choosing a style and finish that work well in the space.
The ready-made interior shutter market is largely dominated by faux wood or white
vinyl models. While vinyl was once considered tacky and cheap, the quality of vinyl
shutters is continually improving. Vinyl can be an attractive and affordable way
to bring shutters into your home. For homeowners willing to spend more, custom-made
or customizable wood models can be a great option. Custom made shutters are made
for specific windows after careful measuring, and there are a variety of woods to
choose from. Customizable shutters are made in stock sizes and then adjusted to
fit your windows during a professional installation. Both options are more expensive
than buying ready-made shutters. This can be a particularly worthwhile option when
redecorating an entire home, or when fitting non-standard shapes or sizes in windows.
Prices for ready-made interior shutters depend largely on size, and may cost $200
or more per window set, although smaller models may cost as little as $50.
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