Shutters, or plantation shutters, have been around for a long time, but in the last 30 years they have really exploded into the marketplace. There are several good reasons for this and those reasons explain why many believe the shutters make a lot of sense for today’s home decorating needs.
Unlike blinds and shades, which have a cord or chain control, shutters are bolted into the window with a frame, doors and hinges so they really become part of the window itself. They are stylish and they work very well in blocking out the light. There are many different styles and brands of shutters, and many of them have different looks and features, so it is important to work with someone who knows a lot about them so you can select the brand and style that is right for you.
Shutters come in composite wood, real wood and vinyl. Composite wood can achieve a very nice look in your home, but if you have a round window or you want to match a specific wooden color or stain, then real wood shutters are the best way to go. Vinyl shutters are great in a garage or in a situation where a lot of steam or dust might be involved.
Shutters come with louvers ranging from tow and-a-half inches to four and-a-half inches wide. Depending on your window depth, not all louver sizes will work with all windows. Often, you can do a “build out” feature, which will let you customize shutters to your window’s features.
Most people leave the shutter doors closed and simply “tilt” the louvers open or closed. But keep in mind that if you want to open the doors of the shutters, there can’t be sofas or tables blocking the doors or you will have trouble swinging the doors open. For situations like this, some people opt for a wooden blind with a larger slat size (two and-a-half inch) for a shutter look.
So, for superior looks and features, consider getting shutters. They look great, block the sun and they are easy to open and close. They may just be the perfect window covering.
For more information on shutters, or other window treatments, decorator Arlene Greene can be reached at 661-254-2659.