Window shutters are a common way to enhance a home’s exterior, but there are alternatives available for those who prefer a more personalized approach. Awnings, a simple cloth or wooden cover over windows, can be a great way to add character and charm to your home. They not only enhance curb appeal but also serve practical purposes such as privacy, airflow, and protection.
Exterior window treatments like shutters and window boxes can beautify your home while providing practical benefits. They can add curb appeal through flowers and paint colors, while also serving as a home essential for privacy, airflow, and protection. Before and after photos of reader-submitted homes and design guides can help you decide on shutters or not.
Additionally, adding window boxes with flowers can add a splash of color and provide shade for the windows, helping lower utility bills. Metal window awnings can also be used to provide shade and can be retracted for storm protection.
Eye-catching exterior shutters can be installed to functionally benefit the home, with hinged shutters that can swing open and close for light control. Overall, exterior shutters are an invaluable architectural component that offers numerous features and benefits.
📹 Exterior Shutters in America are ALL WRONG
Want to hear what makes Kim absolutely shudder!?! Fake shutters! Most American homes have shutters installed ALL WRONG, …
Why do houses in Europe have shutters?
Shutters are a crucial feature in historic houses, providing protection against wind, rain, insects, and birds. They were used in medieval houses with unglazed windows to keep out wind, rain, and birds. Later, when houses had cosier rooms with fireplaces and glazed windows, shutters provided extra draught-proofing and privacy. They were also common on ground floor windows of vulnerable buildings like public houses, as glass was expensive at the time.
Shutters are rare to find before the late 17th century and most date from the 18th and 19th centuries. They are the least-studied feature of historic houses, and their dating and development will remain limited until more research is done. Early examples include the Queen’s Chamber at Guildford Castle, which had glazed windows with opening casements and internal shutters. Early shutters were made of fir, painted with royal arms, and oiled in Cambridge in 1432.
Construction was similar to doors, with planks, ledges, and battens. Few have survived intact, but the pintles on which they hung often remain. Many were closed by a wooden or iron bar passed through a substantial iron hasp set into the central mullion.
Why don’t Americans use shutters?
Rolling shutters, a traditional European architectural feature, have been absent in American homes due to historical architectural differences and climatic considerations. Early American homes were designed with different priorities, such as the temperate climate and ample land availability, which led to the absence of rolling shutters. European Rolling Shutters (ERS) believes in the importance of rolling shutters and other shading solutions in homes for security, climate control, aesthetics, and comfort.
Rolling shutters have roots in European architecture, dating back centuries, and were initially designed for practical purposes like protection from the elements. They were able to control sunlight, enhance security, and regulate interior temperatures, making them an integral part of the European architectural landscape.
Are exterior shutters out of style in 2024?
Classic louvered shutters are timeless and versatile, complementing various architectural styles like colonial and Cape Cod. They can be customized in various colors, materials, and sizes to match your home’s unique look. In 2024, there are numerous options available to enhance your home’s aesthetic appeal, including classic, rustic, and contemporary styles. This Homeowners Guide will explore the top five decorative shutter options for 2024, highlighting their features and benefits. These shutters can make a significant difference in adding charm and character to your home’s exterior.
Why do British houses not have shutters?
Historically, the United Kingdom has not been sufficiently warm to necessitate the use of shutters for the purpose of maintaining a cool indoor environment. While shutters are typically employed for this purpose in other regions, they have not been widely utilized in the UK.
How can I protect my windows without shutters?
Hurricane fabric is a popular and cost-effective method for preventing hurricane damage by boarding up windows and doors. It offers good protection during high-speed winds, but it has some disadvantages. People are now seeking alternative solutions, such as safety and security window film, storm panels, and hurricane shutters. These alternatives provide better protection and aesthetic appeal, but they also come with their own set of drawbacks. Despite these drawbacks, there are several effective and popular alternatives to consider, such as hurricane fabric, safety and security window film, storm panels, and hurricane shutters.
When should you not use exterior shutters?
Shutters are not necessary for every window, as they should cover the entire window when closed. Double-mulled, picture, bay, and most dormer windows should not have shutters. If shutters aren’t affordable, adding shutter hardware can be a simple detail. Mismatched windows can appear sloppy, especially with differing muntin patterns. Some muntin patterns are endemic to certain architectural styles, so “Prairie” muntins should be avoided unless the house is of the Craftsman, Arts and Crafts, or Prairie style. Adding shutter hardware can add a touch of elegance to a house.
What to do if you don’t have shutters?
Plywood is an alternative to hurricane shutters for providing additional protection against strong winds and debris. It can be cut to fit over windows and doors and is designed to withstand hurricanes’ high winds and debris. However, plywood is not as effective as hurricane shutters, which are specifically designed to withstand hurricanes. Finding plywood before a storm can be challenging, especially during a hurricane watch or warning, as it may sell out quickly and not fit the right size and thickness for windows and doors.
Do all houses need shutters?
Shutters don’t need to be installed on all windows in your house, especially large ones like bay, dormer, and picture windows. They should be installed on windows that would be fully covered if shutters were shut. To achieve the best results, pair shutters with the same color as your entry door shade. Louver Shop of Colorado offers customizable shutters, including material, color, hardware, and radius tops.
You can also choose between decorative or operational shutters. Popular shutter styles and materials include aluminum, fiberglass, composite, and vinyl, which are a good replacement for real wood and don’t require as much maintenance.
Do people still use exterior shutters?
Exterior shutters, a timeless architectural feature, offer protection from the elements, privacy, and energy efficiency. With a variety of styles and materials, they can be customized to suit any home and provide numerous benefits. Whether you’re looking to enhance the aesthetic appeal or reduce energy costs, exterior shutters are an investment that will continue to yield dividends for years to come.
What are the alternative options for shutters?
Top paid and free alternatives to Shutter include Snipboard. io, Snipaste, Lightshot, Greenshot, Snagit, HyperSnap, Screenpresso, FireShot, CleanShot X, and 7capture. SoftwareSuggest provides verified and unbiased user reviews based on ratings and feedback, without any paid placements. Apowersoft is a trusted solution for digital needs, offering innovative tools for screen recording, photo editing, and PDF management. PicPick is a versatile screen capture and image editing tool with features like full-screen capture, color picker, and pixel ruler, ideal for designers and developers.
What are the alternatives to exterior shutters?
Numerous shutter alternatives offer privacy and light control, including Venetian blinds, vertical blinds, faux-wood blinds, Roman blinds, pleated honeycomb blinds, and roller blinds. ABS and aluminium shutters are excellent alternatives for those who prefer wood but don’t have the practicality of wood. A shutter and shade combination can also provide more light control. Venetian blinds, with their horizontal slats, resemble shutters at first glance. These options provide a wide range of looks to suit your home.
📹 Exterior Shutters Explained
When it comes to Exterior Shutters, the possibilities are practically endless. We offer a variety of materials, styles, and colors for …
I’m a Californian living in Europe. Hands down American building/construction is inferior to Europe. We use plastic as siding and my European co-workers would not believe me until I pulled up a photo online. I also showed them the faux shutters and they asked why would you do that if it’s not functional?
In Greece my country, every person rich or poor has shutters that function. It doesn’t matter if you live in a big manor or not, even the neighbourhoods in poverty will laugh at you for fake decorative shutters. It’s the same in France and Spain, although sometimes the shutters will look different (one apartment I stayed in Paris had a more modern shutter that opens and closes with a remote control)
I don’t even work in home design and this gets under my skin. Currently trying to convince my wife the same thing. Our problem is that most of our windows are 36 in wide and there are typically two side-by-side. Probably going with the roller shutters I saw in Germany (when we have enough saved lol).
I didn’t even know fake shutters were a thing. I am currently looking for information to build shutters for my home in Portugal and was perusal a article of someone making wood shutters (the same model I want), but then suddenly he started screwing them to the wall… and I was totally confused. Why?! Why?!… What are they for? Then this article was suggested 😛
You would be loving our hurricane shutters just as much as we are loving your shutters! Awesome article! Thank you so much. I’m wondering who the manufacturer of these shutters are and if they available in aluminum. They’re like a hybrid of colonial hinged shutters and Bahama shutters. Super duper awesome! 🙂
As an American that lived in Italy for 3 years I adored the functionality of the windows in my apartment. Windows that opened on a hinge like a door, screens that you could raise, and the built in black out shades that were encased in a box at the top of balcony doors & windows, so that you could let them down to any length you desired. I always said if I ever built a home in America I would copy every, single detail of those windows.
To each his own! Shutters are not for functionality in America unlike other places in the world where they need that functionality for that ventilation and shade. Americans use it as a fashion piece. Our homes are unlike homes in let’s say Italy. Italy has true antique homes therefore having true antique window shutters. In America we don’t have homes 200+ years old therefore we don’t have those windows that old so definitely don’t need shutters like those. I do admit the real antique ones in Italy are beautiful! However we don’t need that in the south in America. We have central air bc we need it here.
You showed a large window, but not how to shutter the WIDE spance ones, i have double windows with no way to do THAT in the center of the windows, WHAT DO YOU DO ABOUT THAT EACH WINDIW IS 30″ WIDE…so the application is a bit disfunctional for SOME windows…clue??? I plan to build my own, so this was helpful to SOME degree but only for single windows…You also didnt show the hardware needed to have them BE as those are…ranch home, double windows, one bay window that CANT gave anything BUT decorative…need WAY MORE INFO if ur gonna say the American homes need to have the real deal…
100% agree Kim, but the problem is also created by how horrible our newer vinyl windows look. If we had nicer casements and actual window panes instead of the dumb white metal bars inserted in newer windows, we wouldn’t need to visually frame them with fake shutters. I actually like Plantation shutters inside to give a finished look and lesser maintenance. It is the casements of the windows we need to change and have more visual appeal.
They’re just faux/decorative in America. For most homes in America the windows are many on a wall or large ( many times almost the total width of a wall)and there’s no way to have these functional shutters. The actual shutter has to be very wide to cover the windows, but can’t open and fold against the side of the home due it being so such a wide shutter.
For a little added perspect:ive, from “an ugly American”. Functional shutters have two main jobs: 1) protect the window from damage which mainly means hurricanes as tornadoes and hail storms don’t generally give much warning. (although, they would definitely help protect windows from hail or tornado-blown debris) 2) protect the interior of the house from the sun There’s also a – break up large expanses of uninteresting wall. And a – make your house look like buyers in the area expect, rightly or wrongly I am currently going through this project, DIY-style, with my wife. We both really want fully functional shutters on our house. They are simple to build, hardware is easily available locally or on the ‘net, and the hinges allow you to clean behind the shutters ( to remove wasps, small birds, and lots and lots and lots of leaves). BUT … we are far from hurricane country, we already have deep 6-foot porches and many mature trees so excessive sunlight isn’t a problem, and when the next hail storm hits I WANT it to take out my old windows 🙂 The (functional) hardware adds $100-$150 per window (2-3 pairs of hinges with pintle hinges, plus shutter dogs). With 10-14 windows to do (depends on if we do the back), this is a significant extra expense to consider, as I can make fixed shutters for the whole house for less than the hardware for 2-3 windows. Because I always like to have options and configurability in my projects, if possible, we will probably size and build the shutters so that they easily be hinged later if we desire, but mount them fixed for now.
What she also fails to mention is that the area she is visiting is labeled as a historic area where by Government enforces through building codes that people must have these shutters on their houses and businesses in that area, and that it is likely subsidized through debt to ensure a certain look for the visiting tourists. Secondly she also fails to mention is that 90%+ of Italians can not afford this and do not have this on their home. As other comments here have alluded towards is that shutters nowadays due to HVAC merely serve as an aesthetic addition to a home, which is what many old European homes do not have. Yes, she has a point, shutters not covering the entire window height, or very small compared to the window size make it look ugly as hell.
For me living in America and one of the poorest states I can’t afford go out and buy expensive shutters so I make my own shutters and for decor not function!!!!! I like both kinds of shutters however I think it’s up to the individual who BOUGHT THEIR HOME whether they want it for decor or function n regardless how I feel I’m not going to say I can’t stand to see shutters used the wrong way!!!! Ugh I hate when ppl do that to ppl