What To Consider Before Buying window Shutters

When when it comes to modernizing windows, curtains or blinds might be the first thing that come to our minds, but shutters can be an elegant way to transform any space into a warm and inviting retreat. They can be stained or solid shutters, open or fully closed, the hinged shutters are a great addition to any home’s decor. And all year round, window shutters are energy-efficient. The louver structure keeps air in place to protect you from heat and cold, whether winter or spring.

While helping to reduce energy costs as well as boosting your home’s value and add incredible curb appeal. They will leave an impression on potential buyers by their ability to differentiate the subtleties between modern and traditional, or coastal and colonial styles.

The secret lies in your own unique combination of shades, tilt rod positioning as well as the number of panels and frame design.

Are you looking to unlock those secrets? Here’s what you must learn to pick the right design of shutters to fit your space.

First, A Brief History

The first window shutters originated in Ancient Greece. First designed in marble, shutters that were static helped protect the home against the breezy and occasionally stormy Mediterranean climate.

When window shutters spread across the continent during the Middle Ages, changes were made to their designs. The shift from marble to wood enabled builders to make louvers that could be closed and opened giving more control over light, ventilation, and privacy, while preventing rain.

In the 18th and 19th century in the American South, the name “shutter” was the first time officially created as louvered shutters enhanced the luxury and splendor of Southern mansions.

How to Choose the Best Window Shutters

Today, shutters can be put in houses of every shape and size, on windows and doors, whether small or big. They are available in an array of shades, natural wood stain, materials, hinges, and frames. Here are some tips to help you select the perfect shutters to fit your house.

Things to Consider When Choosing Color

When choosing a color for your paint or stain, consider the exterior of your home as well as the interior décor. You’ll want a color that complements the design aesthetic and the palette that you choose for the exterior.

Making the Right Choice for Your Panel Configuration

Shutters look great when they align with the shape of your windows, whereby the vertical components of shutters align with the vertical frames of your windows. Single panel shutters are the most well-known, because they let in more light and enhance the outdoor view. Some windows might prefer the traditional bi-fold style. For optimal light, look for fewer obstructions by fitting the widest possible size of the panel.

Hidden Tilt Bar Vs. Visible Tilt Bar

A prominent center tilt rod is the traditional design featured on classic shutters made of plantation, and is ideal for accentuating Colonial or cottage-style homes. A concealed tilt rod gives modern style to rooms and offers the most light, and visibility on shutters with many panels.

Frames Are The Finishing Touch

The visual transition between wall and shutter is an important element that shouldn’t be missed. No matter how thin or thick, contrasting in color or matching, shutter molding can be dressed up to match the opening. Select from T-frames, L-shaped frames, casing frames and more.

What shutter materials are available?

Wood Shutters

There’s something warm and inviting that real shutters made of wood bring to a space. They’re a lot lighter than faux wood, poly and even hybrid shutters. However, wood may warp in humid environments, while faux wood proves to be superior in damp environments.

Faux Wood Shutters

Made from polyresin and giving the traditional look of wood faux wood shutters appear identical to the real thing and provide resistance to moisture even in humid environments, such as bathrooms. Faux wood shutters are also resistant to scratches and are extremely durable.

Poly Shutters

They have the durability and feel of genuine wood shutters The poly shutters we offer come with recycled, non-toxic, and flame-retardant materials. With a clear, patented finish These affordable shutters for windows are simple to clean and maintain. No painting, no repairing, no replacing necessary.

Hybrid Shutters

Hybrid shutters mix the timeless appeal of wooden frames with the strength of polymer panels. The result is a custom window treatment that is able to do more than just look good. These panels can insulate windows and doors up to 65 percent better than traditional shutters in order to keep the cost of energy down and the spaces more comfortable. The laser-baked, glass-like painted finish on the panels blocks harmful UV rays. The panels are not damaged by yellowing, cracking or chipping, splitting, or warping.

Made-To-Measure Shutters

No matter what design elements and materials you pick regardless of the design elements and materials you choose, your best option is our custom-designed, easy-to install window shutters that are designed to fit your windows’ unique dimensions.

How to Measure for Inside Mount Window Shutters:

First, make sure your window is large enough to allow shutters to be hung on the interior of the frame. Then, take a measurement of the depth from the glass’s edge to the exterior edge of your window casing. If your window casing depth is less than 2 1/4 inches, you’ll need an external mount.

Then, measure the width from left to right in three spots three places: the top, middle and the bottom. Next, measure the height at the top left, middle and the top right up until the sill of your window.

How to Measure the Outside Mount Window Shutters:

Repeat the steps for taking measurements of the inside of the window mount measurement.

For shutters with standard L-frames, you should add an additional 4 inches. Then increase 2 inches to the height if you have a window sill. You can add 4 inches if don’t have an existing sill.

For designer-frame shutters, add 5 inches to the width measurement. Then add two inches for height if you have a window sill. Then add another 5 inches height measurement if you do not have an existing sill.

How to Hang Interior Shutters

A window’s sunlight can cause a lot of distraction. Not to mention the neighbors who have more evening hours to look into your brightly lit living room. Shades can be installed to deflect the gaze of curious eyes however swinging shutters made of wood are definitely more appealing.

Interior shutters were the original “window treatments,” widely used in Southern and urban homes, and are still a great way to give architectural and historical details. They also aid in keeping out winter’s chilly winds or summer’s hot, oppressive heat. They’re also easy to put in any window as they’re attached to a thin frame that either sits in the window opening or around the outside part of the capping. If the frame is properly placed and the shutters are properly positioned, they will move without a hitch, and then shut off all distractions of the day with satisfying click.

Determine the Window Opening

Take a horizontal measurement in between window jambs in three locations in three spots: top, middle and the bottom. Measure in three places vertically too.

Take the smallest of both measurement sets and send them to the shutter firm for custom shutters.

Tips: Use a folding rule that has a sliding extension instead of a tape measurement to obtain the most accurate inside measurements.

Get the Shutters prepared

Place each pair of shutters at the edge of the room with hinge mortises facing upwards and the louver-control bar pointing toward each other. (This assures that all the bars will be facing the same direction when the shutter is hanging and allows one shutter of each one to open right and the other one opens left.)

Put a hinge in the mortise. Attach your driver or drill with the Vix bit. The bit should be placed in a screw hole for the hinge. Make a pilot hole in the shutter. Repeat for each hinge hole.

It is important to note that shutter hinges are factory-configured for opening to the right so you’ll have to cut pins off half, and then reinstall them upside down to ensure that every right-side hinge has an equivalent left-side.

With a Phillips head bit on the drill/driver, attach all hinges onto the shutters.

Install the hanging strips

Let a second person help you hold the shutter in the open position against the wall, its hinges opened so that they’re inside the jamb. Adjust the entire shutter so that the hinges extend out from the jamb only enough to allow the shutter to clear the casing when it’s in a straight line with the wall. Draw a line across the jambs behind each hinge.

Keep the hanging strip in place against the lines. With a 1/8-inch drill bit that is inserted into your driver or drill, drill the pilot hole (one each at the top and bottom) through the strip and down into the jamb.

With a square-head bit with your drill/driver, attach the hanging strip onto the jamb. Repeat for the other side.

Tip To use the screws, drive them through the hangers at an angle that will prevent them from loosing their grip as time passes.

Align the Shutters in the Opening

With the assistance of your friend, place the shutters inside the window’s opening and slide shims in at top and at bottom to hold them in place. Adjust the shutters so that they have an even spacing along the window jamb and between the shutters.

Place the casing on high point on each hinge’s hinge. Set shutters aside.

Mark Hinge Positions on Casing

Utilizing a combination square, apply the mark of the casing to create a straight line in the jamb and then to the hanging strip. This will indicate how to align the window’s hinges.

Tips: When marking the hinge locations, utilize the top of the knuckle rather than the pin as a guide. This will correspond to the top of the hinge plate.

Place the shutters on the Strips

When hanging your shutters screw magnetic catch plates to their bottom (or the top) within the corner.

Close a shutter, and then position it so that the L-shaped hinges sit comfortably in the space created by the window strip and hanging strip jamb. The edges of the hinge plates to its line.

Mark the screw holes and take the shutter back and set it aside. Use a 1/8-inch drill bit to make pilot holes on the locations you have marked.

Loosely screw the hinges to the strip of hanging using Phillips-head screwdriver. Close the shutter and make sure it’s level all around. Adjust it if needed after which you can tighten the screws.

Tip: Use a handheld screwdriver instead of a drill or driver in difficult places. This will give you more control, so damage is less likely to happen.

Make sure you install the Magnet for Catch.

Attach a catch magnet to the metal plate of the shutter. Close the shutter, making sure it’s flush with the front of the windows.

With the magnetized catch positioned on the windowsill, note the exact location of the screw holes.

Remove the catch from the shutter and position it atop the marks in the sill. Attach the catch to sill using a Phillips-head screwdriver. Repeat the procedure for the second catch.

Tips: A shutter (or door) is in the right alignment when the two halves on each of its hinges rest in a straight and solid position against each in the event of closing.