Shutters are a timeless and classic addition to any home. Here’s all you need to know about this type of window treatment
Choosing window furnishings is one of those decisions that is often left to the last minute. After all, it’s more fun to choose paint colours, bedding, art and furniture. But, as an integral element of interior design, deciding what you’ll dress your windows with should be considered
from the outset – even if they’re the last thing to be installed.
Whether you want curtains, blinds or shutters, there are a number of things to consider. That’s because within each option there are a variety of styles (i.e. roller blinds, roman blinds, venetian blinds, vertical blinds and honeycomb blinds), and within those there are even more variations (i.e. block out, light-filtering or sunscreen).
Josie Marr from Russells Curtains & Blinds says, “Think about the type and amount of light each room gets. Do you want privacy during the day, night or both? And how warm or cool do you want the room to be during the different seasons?”
We’ve shutters to help you navigate your options. Click here to read our 101 on curtains and here to read our 101 on blinds.
Shutters
Shutters are a classic and elegant alternative to blinds. They can add timeless charm to your home and work particularly well in character homes – but are not limited to these style of houses.
Pros: Shutters are a great option for privacy, light control, and sound and thermal insulation. Unlike curtains, they can be used in any room of the house.
Cons: They are expensive when compared to other window treatments. Interior shutters fold or swing inwards, which can be problematic if you have a small space or any furniture blocking the way.
Types of shutters
Full height: The most common type of shutter as it covers the glass entirely. There is an option to add a mid-rail divider, which allows you to adjust the top and bottom of the shutter separately.
Cafe style: Shutters covering the bottom half of the frame, well suited for ground level windows and town houses.
Tier on tier: A flexible option that incorporates independent panels on the top and bottom for greater adjustability.
Materials
Wood: Provides effective sound and thermal insulation as well as great airflow capabilities.
Aluminium: Durable and maintenance-free. Can be applied inside or outside the home.
Aluminium reinforced PVC: Use for the wet areas in your home such as the kitchen and bathroom. The aluminium core provides strength and prevents the shutter from bowing.
Things to keep in mind
- Custom-made or ready-made? Custom-made shutters will fit your exact specifications and can be installed in almost any window, however they are the more expensive option. Angie says, “Ready-made shutters are usually made to standard sizes, but as we know, every home is different. Buying off the shelf may require you to cut the shutters down to enable them to fit your window, or you may have to fill in the gaps.”
- How they open and close: A benefit of shutters is that you can either tilt the blades to adjust the light flow, or simply open them up. Depending on the size of your space there are a couple of options for shutter configurations. Hinged shutters will open into the room, an option best suited for small windows. Sliding shutters are installed on tracks and will slide over top of each other. And then there’s bi-fold, which will open and fold at the window frame for a more traditional shutter look.
Words by: Bea Taylor.
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