When you think of updating your windows, curtains or blinds may first come to the mind, but shutters are an elegant option to transform any room into a warm and cozy retreat. Whether stained or solid shutters, open or fully closed, shutters with hinges can add a touch of elegance to your home’s decor. All year long, indoor window shutters are energy-efficient. The louver structure holds in air, allowing it to be insulated from heat and cold, whether the season is spring or winter.
While also helping reduce the cost of energy Custom shutters can increase your home’s value and add incredible curb appeal. They will leave an impression on potential buyers thanks to their ability to identify the subtleties between modern and traditional, or coastal and colonial style.
The secret lies in your personal mix of shades, tilt rod positioning and the number of panels and frame style.
Are you eager to discover the secrets? Here’s what you must learn to pick the right custom shutters for your living space.
First, A Brief History
First window shutters were invented out of Ancient Greece. The first designs were made of marble. static shutters helped defend the home against the breezy and occasionally stormy Mediterranean climate.
When window shutters spread across the continent in the Middle Ages, changes were introduced to their design. The change from marble to wood enabled builders to make louvers that could be closed and opened which allowed more control over light, ventilation and privacy while keeping out rain.
In the 18th and 19th-century American South, the name “shutter” was first created and louvered shutters accentuated the grandeur and elegance in Southern mansions.
How to Select The Right Window Shutters
Today, affordable shutters for windows can be put in houses of every shape and size, on windows and doors, large or small. They’re available in many shades, natural wood stains material, hinges, and frames. Here are a few suggestions to help you select the perfect shutters for your home.
What Should You Consider When Choosing Color
When choosing a paint color or stain, consider the exterior of your home as well as your interior design. You’ll want to select a color that complements the design aesthetic and the palette that you choose for the exterior.
Choosing The Right Panel Configuration
The best shutters appear when they follow the layout of your windows. In other words, the vertical parts of the shutters line up with the vertical frame the windows. Single-panel shutters are the most well-known, because they let in more light and enhance the outdoor view. Some windows might prefer a more traditional bi-fold panel style. For the best light, make sure there are no obstructions by fitting the biggest possible size of the panel.
Hidden Tilt Bar Vs. Visible Tilt Bar
A clear center tilt rod is the classic design used on traditional shutters made of plantation, and is ideal for accentuating colonial and cottage-style houses. A concealed tilt rod gives modern style to a space and gives the most light, and visibility when shutters have many panels.
Frames are the final touch
Its visual distinction between the wall and shutter is an important aspect that should not be ignored. Whether thick or thin and contrasting in color, or matching, the shutter molding is able to dress up the opening. Choose from L-shaped, T-frame casing frames, other.
What shutter materials are available?
Wood Shutters
There’s something so warm and cozy real shutters made from wood can bring to a space. They’re much lighter than faux wood, poly and even hybrid shutters. However, wood will warp in humid areas, whereas faux wood works much better in damp environments.
Faux Wood Shutters
Made of polyresin and offering the looks of traditional wood faux wood shutters appear identical to the real thing and are able to resist moisture in high humidity, like bathrooms. False wood shutters are resistant to scratches and are extremely durable.
Poly Shutters
With the same durability and feel that you would expect from real wood shutters These shutters made of poly are made with the patented recyclable, non-toxic and flame-retardant construction. Featuring a crisp, patented finish, these shutters are easy to clean and maintain. No painting, no repairing, no replacing necessary.
Hybrid Shutters
Hybrid shutters marry the timeless beauty of wood frames with the durability of solid poly panels. The result is a custom window treatment that does more than simply look great. The panels help insulate windows and doors by 65 percent better than shutters made of all wood to keep energy costs low and rooms more comfortable. The glass-like paint that is laser baked finish of the panels blocks harmful UV Rays. The panels are not damaged by yellowing, cracking or splitting, chipping, or warping.
Made-to-Measure Shutters
Regardless of what designs and materials you pick regardless of the design elements and materials you choose, the best choice is our easy-to-installand custom-designed interior window shutters to match your windows’ unique dimensions.
How To Measure For Inside Window Shutters That You Can Mount:
First, ensure that your window is deep enough for shutters to hang from the outside of the frame. Then, measure the depth from the glass to the outside edge of your window’s casing. If your window’s casing’s thickness is less than 2 3/4 inches you’ll need the outside mounting option.
Next, measure the width left to right in three places: the top, middle and the bottom. Then, measure the height at the center, left of the top and at the top right towards the windowsill.
How to Measure For Exterior Mount Window Shutters:
Simply repeat the steps for measuring the inside window mount measurement.
For standard L-frame shutters increase the measurement by 4 inches, and increase 2 inches to the height if you have a window sill. Add 4 inches to the height in case you do not have any sill.
For shutters with designer frames Add 5 inches to the width measurement. Then add two inches for height when you have a window sill. Add 5 inches to the height if you do not have the sill.
How to hang Interior Shutters
Windows that let sunlight in can be a bothersome distraction. It’s not even counting the neighbors who can have longer hours to look into your brightly lit living room. You could install shades to deflect the gaze of curious eyes However, swinging shutters from wood will definitely make a difference.
Interior shutters were originally “window treatments,” typically found for Southern and urban dwellings and are still an excellent method to create architectural and historical details. They also aid in keeping out winter’s cold winds or summer’s hot, oppressive heat. They’re simple to set in any window as they’re attached to a thin frame that is either positioned inside the window opening or around the exterior of the casing. So long as the frame is set in the right place and the shutters are properly positioned, they will move freely – and close out any interruptions to your day by the click of a button.
Measure the Window Opening
Take a horizontal measurement between the window jambs in three places in three spots: top, middle and bottom. In three places, measure vertically as well.
Select the smaller of both sets of measurements , and then send these to the shutter manufacturer for custom shutters.
Tip: Use an adjustable rule folded with a sliding extension rather than a tape measure to get the most precise inside measurements.
Prep the Shutters
Place each pair of shutters in the middle with hinge mortises facing upwards and the louver-control bar pointing toward each other. (This makes sure that all bars are facing the room as the shutter is put up and allows one shutter in each opened right, while the other opens to the left.)
Place a hinge into a mortise. Install your drill or driver using an Vix bit. The bit should be placed in a screw hole in the hinge. Make a pilot hole in the shutter. Repeat for every hinge hole.
It is important to note that shutter hinges come factory-configured to open to the right which means you’ll need to take pins out of half and reinsert them upside-down, so that each right-side hinge has a left-side counterpart.
With a Phillips-head bit in the drill/driver screw all hinges onto the shutters.
Install the hanging strips
A second person should hold the shutter open against the wall with the hinges open so they are within the jamb. Adjust the entire unit to ensure that its hinges protrude from the jamb just enough that the shutter can be free of the casing once it is close to the wall. Draw a line on your jamb behind each hinge.
The hanging strip should be held against the lines. With a 1/8-inch drill bit that is inserted into your driver or drill, drill one or two pilot holes (one each at top and the bottom) across the strip and down into the jamb.
Now with a square-head bit using your drill or driver, screw the hanging strip on the jamb. Repeat for the other side.
Tips To use the screws, drive them into the hanging strips at an angle to stop them from becoming loose over time.
Make sure that the shutters are aligned with the opening
With your helper, place both shutters within the window opening and slip the shims into the top and bottom to ensure they stay in place. Adjust the shutters so that they have an equal spacing across the window jamb and in between the shutters.
Place the casing on the highest point of every hinge’s knuckle. Set shutters aside.
Mark Hinge Positions on Casing
Utilizing a combination square, place the mark on the casing onto a strip on the jamb and then to the hanging strip. This will indicate where to line up the window’s hinges.
TIP: When marking hinge locations, use the top of the knuckle rather than the pin to serve as a reference. This will be the top of the hinge plate.
Put the shutters up on the Strips
When hanging your shutters attach magnetic catch plates to their bottom (or top) at the inside corner.
Close a shutter, and then position it so that the hinges in the shape of an L comfortably in the space created by the window and hanging strip jamb. Set the sides of each plate with the line of each.
Mark the screw holes and take the shutter back and set it aside. Make use of a drill bit 1/8 inch to drill pilot holes around the points.
Secure the hinges by loosely screwing them to the strip of hanging using a Phillips-head screwdriver. Close the shutter and check that it’s even all around. Make adjustments as needed after which you can tighten the screws.
TIP: Use a handheld screwdriver instead of a drill/driver in tight areas. This will give you more control and makes damage less likely to happen.
Make sure you install the Magnet for Catch.
Attach a catch-magnet to the metal plate that is on the shutter. Close the shutter and make sure it’s level with the outside of the window.
With the magnetized catch positioned on the window, mark the exact location of the screw holes.
Remove the catch from the shutter and position it over the marks of the sill. Screw the catch to the sill using a Phillips screwdriver. Repeat for the next catch.
Tips: A shutter (or door) is properly aligned when the two halves of each hinge rest perfectly and squarely against the in the event of closing.