When it comes to updating blinds, windows or curtains are the first things that pop into your the mind, but shutters are an elegant option to transform any space into a warm and cozy sanctuary. Whether stained or solid, swung open or completely closed, their hinged panels are a great addition to any home’s interior. And all year round, window shutters are energy efficient. The louver structure is able to trap air and protect against freezing and heat, in the season is spring or winter.
As well as helping to cut down on energy bills as well as boosting the value of your home and provide an incredible curb appeal. They’ll leave a lasting impression on potential buyers due to their ability to identify the subtleties of contemporary and traditional or coastal and colonial style.
The secret is the unique blend of colors, tilt rod placement, number of panels, and frame design.
Are you interested in discovering the secrets? This is all you need be aware of to choose the best customized shutters for your living space.
First, A Brief History
First window shutters were invented in Ancient Greece. Designed first in marble, static shutters helped defend the dwelling from the harsh, and sometimes stormy, Mediterranean climate.
When shutters for windows spread across the continent during the Middle Ages, changes were made to their designs. The shift from marble to wood enabled manufacturers to design louvers that could be opened and closed giving more control over lighting, ventilation, and privacy, while also keeping out rain.
In the 18th- and 19th century in the American South, the name “shutter” was first officially used, and louvered shutters extended the elegance and grandeur of Southern mansions.
How to Select the Right Window Shutters
Nowadays, shutters can be installed in homes of every shape and size, on doors and windows, small or large. They’re available in numerous shades, natural wood stain and materials, as well as hinges and frames. Here are some tips to help you choose the best shutters suitable for the home you live in.
What to consider when choosing Color
When choosing a color or stain, think about your home’s exterior as well as the interior décor. You’ll want a color that matches the design aesthetic and palette for your outside.
Choosing The Right Panel Configuration
Shutters look best when they are aligned with the design of your windows. In this case, the vertical parts of the shutters are aligned with the horizontal frames the windows. Single panel shutters are the most popular, as they can maximize light and outdoor view. Some windows might prefer the traditional bi-fold appearance. To get the most light, consider removing any obstructions by fitting the biggest possible panel size.
Hidden Tilt Bar Vs. Visible Tilt Bar
A visible center tilt rod is the traditional design featured on classic shutters made of plantation, and is perfect for colonial and cottage-style houses. A concealed tilt rod gives modern style to rooms and offers the highest amount of light and the best visibility on shutters with multiple panels.
Frames Are The Last Touch
Visual transitions between wall and shutter is an important feature that should not be left unnoticed. Thin or thick and contrasting in color, or matching, shutter molding is able to dress up the opening. Choose from L-shaped, T-frame or casing frames, and many more.
What Shutter Materials Are Available?
Wood Shutters
There’s something so warm and cozy real wood shutters bring to a space. They’re lighter that faux wooden, poly and hybrid shutters. However, wood may warp in areas of high humidity, while faux wood works much better in damp environments.
Faux Wood Shutters
Made of polyresin and delivering the look of wood faux wood shutters appear as real and offer moisture resistance even in humid environments, such as bathrooms. False wood shutters are scratch-proof and extremely durable.
Poly Shutters
With the same durability and feel of genuine wood shutters, our poly shutters are made with recycled, non-toxic, and flame-retardant construction. With a sleek, patented finish the shutters are easy to clean and maintain. No painting, no repairing, no replacing necessary.
Hybrid Shutters
Hybrid shutters marry the timeless appeal of wood frames with the durability of polymer panels. They result in a custom window treatment that does more than simply look beautiful. The panels are able to insulate windows and doors by 65 more effectively than standard shutters to keep energy costs down and the rooms more comfortable. The glass-like paint that is laser baked finish on the panels protects against harmful UV rays. There is no cracking, yellowing, chipping, splitting or warping.
Made-to-Measure Shutters
No matter what designs and materials you pick it is certain that the best choice is our custom-designed, easy-to install window shutters that are designed to fit the windows’ unique dimensions.
How To Measure For Inside Mount Window Shutters:
Make sure that your window is large enough to allow shutters to be hung on the interior of the frame and examine the depth from the glass to the outside edge of your window casing. If the depth of your window casing is less than 2 3/4 inches, you’ll have to select the outside mounting option.
Then, take a measurement of the width left to right at three locations in the middle, top and the bottom. Next, measure the height from the center, left of the top, and top right down all the way to the window.
How to Measure For Outside Mount Window Shutters:
Just repeat the steps of taking the inside of the window mount measuring.
For standard L-frame shutters include 4 inches in the measurements of the width. Then add 2 inches to height if you have a window sill. The height should be increased by 4 inches if you don’t have a sill.
For shutters with designer frames Add 5 inches to the width measurement and add 2 1/2 inches to the height measurement for windows that have a sill. In addition, add five inches height of the shutter if you don’t have the sill.
How to Hang Interior Shutters
Windows that let sunlight in can cause a lot of distraction. And then there are the neighbors who are more likely to have longer evening hours to gaze at your brightly lit living room. You could install shades to block out the eyes of your neighbors However, swinging shutters from wood will definitely make a difference.
Interior shutters were once the original “window treatments,” commonly used on Southern and urban homes, and are still an excellent way to add architectural and historical detail. They also aid in keeping out the chilling winter wind or the hot, oppressive heat. They’re simple to set in any window as they’re attached to a slim frame that is either positioned inside the opening in the window or on the outside inside of the casing. When the frame is set in the right place, the shutters will swing freely – and close out the day’s distractions with satisfying click.
Take a measurement of the window opening
Measure horizontally across the jambs of your window in three locations three places: top, middle and the bottom. Measure in three places vertically too.
Select the smaller of both sets of measurements and forward them to the shutter company to request customized shutters.
Tip: Use a folding rule that has a sliding extension rather than a tape gauge to obtain the most accurate measurements on the inside.
Get the Shutters prepared
Place each pair of shutters at the edge of the room with hinge mortises facing upwards and the louver-control bars oriented towards each other. (This ensures that all of the bars will face the room when the shutters Oxford are hung and allows one shutter in each one to open right and the other opens to the left.)
Seat a hinge in the mortise. Fit your drill/driver with the Vix bit. Place the bit into a screw hole in the hinge. Drill a pilot into the shutter. Repeat this process for all holes in the hinge.
Be aware that many shutter hinges are designed for opening to the right and you’ll probably need remove the pins from half and then insert them upside down, to ensure that every right-side hinge has a left-side counterpart.
With a Phillips-head bits in the drill/driver, attach all hinges to shutters.
Attach the hanging clips
A second person should hold the shutter in the open position against the wall with the hinges flipped out so they are within the jamb. Adjust the entire shutter so that the hinges extend out from the jamb for the shutter to open up when it’s aligned with the wall. Draw a line on your jambs behind each hinge.
Hold the hanging strip against the lines. With a 1/8 -inch drill bit, inserted into your drill/driver, bore the pilot hole (one each at top and the bottom) across the strip and into the jamb.
Now , using a square head bit using your drill or driver, screw the hanging strip into the jamb. Repeat with the opposite side.
Tips: Drive the screws into the hanging strips at an angle to stop them from becoming loose in time.
Place the shutters in the Opening
With help from your assistant, insert both shutters into the window’s opening, then slip shamming into them at the top and at the bottom to ensure they stay in place. Adjust the shutters so that they have an equal spacing across the window jamb and between the shutters.
The casing is marked at the highest point of every hinge’s knuckle. Set shutters aside.
Mark Hinge Positions on Casing
Utilizing a combination square, transfer the mark on the casing into a strip on the jamb and then to the hanging strip. The mark will help you determine where to position the window’s hinges.
Tip: When marking hinge locations, apply the top of your knuckle, not the pin, to serve as a reference. This will be the top of the hinge plate.
The Shutters can be hung on the Strips
When hanging your shutters, attach magnetic catch plates to their bottom (or top) in the corners.
Shut a shutter and place it in a way that the L-shaped hinges sit perfectly in the corner created by the hanging strip and window jamb. Make sure that the edges of the hinge plates with its line.
Mark the screw holes and once again set the shutter aside. Use a 1/8-inch drill to drill pilot holes around the locations you have marked.
Attach the hinges in a loose way to the hanging strip using Phillips-head screwdriver. Close the shutter and check it’s in the same place all around. If necessary, adjust it before tightening the screws.
Tip: Use a handheld screwdriver instead of a drill/driver in difficult places. This gives you greater control, which means that damage is less likely to occur.
Make sure you install the Magnet for Catch.
Attach a catch magnetic to the metal plate of the shutter. Close the shutter, making sure it’s flush with the front part of your window.
The magnetized catch is placed on the windowsill, mark the screw holes.
Take the catch out of the shutter, and then place it atop the marks at the bottom of the sill. Screw the catch to the sill with a Phillips-head screwdriver. Repeat the procedure for the second catch.
Tips: A shutter (or door) is correctly aligned by having the two halves of each hinge are completely and squarely against one other when it’s closed.
