Window shutters have graced homes for centuries. After falling out of favor mid-1900s, they are back in vogue once again. What explains the unwavering popularity of this age-old window covering? Shutters offer an unbeatable blend of aesthetics, functionality, and quality craftsmanship that proves irresistible time and again.
Window Shutters 101
Shutters are window coverings composed of adjustable horizontal louvers, or slats. They are mounted within window frames or on surrounding trim.
Shutters may be purely decorative or fully functional. Functioning shutters have hardware allowing louvers to close, open, and tilt to modulate sunlight, views, ventilation and noise.
The signature louvered look complements diverse aesthetics from traditional to contemporary. Shutters pair elegantly with drapes, blinds, and other window treatments.
Window Shutters Come in Many Materials
Window shutters are available in a range of materials:
- Basswood – The best hardwood for painted shutters. Basswood is durable, stable, and takes paint beautifully.
- Mahogany – For rich stained wood shutters, mahogany has unparalleled elegance. Its grain and color become more beautiful over time.
- Poplar – An affordable wood for more casual painted or stained shutters. Poplar lacks basswood’s strength but costs less.
- Composites – Made from synthetic polymers, resins or compressed wood pulp, composites won’t crack, warp, or rot.
- Vinyl – Resilient vinyl stands up to humidity, sun, and salt air. It works well for exterior shutters.
- Aluminum – Sleek aluminum shutters feature narrow, customizable slats. Aluminum is extremely weather-resistant.
Why Window Shutters Never Go Out of Style
Several factors explain the enduring popularity of shutters:
- Nostalgia – Window Shutters evoke cozy beach cottages, stately plantations, and historic architecture. They appeal to peoples’ fondness for tradition.
- Customization – With endless design options, shutters complement varied aesthetics from modern to farmhouse.
- Sustainability – Made from basswood, mahogany, and other natural materials, shutters appeal to eco-conscious consumers.
- Light control – Window Shutters allow fine-tuning of incoming sunlight, views, and privacy precisely to your needs.
- Durability – Properly constructed wood or composite shutters will endure for decades with minimal upkeep. Their longevity offsets higher initial costs.
Window Shutters Enhance Any Room
A driving force behind the shutter revival is how well they suit diverse living spaces:
Living Rooms – Formal living rooms gain elegance from louvred shutters flanking windows or framing curtains.
Kitchens – Café-style shutters maintain visibility when open and provide privacy when closed.
Dining Rooms – Window Shutters filter sunlight in formal dining rooms to protect furnishings from fading.
Bedrooms – Shutters aid sleep by blocking light and muffling noise from outside.
Kids’ Rooms – Durable shutters withstand years of child’s play. Kids delight in operating louvers themselves.
Home Offices – Productive home offices value shutters reducing visual distractions. Closed, they allow focus.
Custom Touches Make Shutters One-of-a-Kind
Numerous customizations make shutters unique to your style:
Louver Size – Narrower louvers give a lighter, airier aesthetic when open. Wider ones ensure complete privacy when closed.
Louver Shape – Square-edged or rounded louvers each create a distinct look. For flair, try oval, arched, or diamond-shaped slats.
Tilt Control – Continuous rods tilt louvers simultaneously. Individual louver tilting allows the most light and privacy control.
Colors – With endless painted or stained finishes available, it’s easy to complement your home’s color scheme.
Textures – Special techniques like rasping and wormholing add vintage distressed character to wood shutters.
Hardware – Select from hardware finishes like oil-rubbed bronze, brushed nickel, copper, and more to match your existing décor.
Choosing Your Window Shutter Company Wisely
Not every company offers the expertise and quality needed for enduring shutters. Keep these tips in mind when selecting shutters:
- Choose an experienced specialist, not a general window covering installer.
- Look for solid basswood, mahogany, or engineered composite shutters built to last decades.
- Get a lifetime warranty against defects, cracking, splitting, and fading.
- Ensure your shutters will be custom-sized based on precise window measurements.
- Ask about tilt mechanisms, hardware, colors, and design consultation services available.
- Read reviews and check product samples to confirm quality and service before purchasing.
Investing in shutters from a reputable company will enhance your home for years to come with classic beauty and functionality.
Here is a comparison of plantation shutters and wooden shutters:
- Made from lightweight basswood or cedar wood slats, or engineered woods like polyresin
- Slats are typically 2-3 inches wide and vertically oriented
- Thin slats allow for a neat, stacked appearance when opened
- Offer a clean, streamlined look fitting modern and contemporary décor
- Often painted white or off-white but can be stained any color
- Provide excellent light and privacy control
- Contemporary and stylish aesthetic
- Traditionally made from durable hardwoods like cypress or red cedar
- Wider slats, usually 3-5 inches, give a bold, rustic look
- Slats don’t stack as neatly when opened due to wider width
- Often left natural wood tone but can also be stained or painted
- Complement cottage, farmhouse, or rustic interior designs
- Can be used outdoors as well as indoors
- Offer classic style with natural materials
In Summary
It’s easy to see why shutters remain beloved decade after decade. Their flair for style, customizability, and quality craftsmanship prove irresistible over time. With minimal upkeep, wood or composite shutters will serve you well for years before other window treatments need replacement. For elegance and functionality that stand the test of time, shutters are hard to surpass. Their timeless charm endures.
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