British houses have had shutters for hundreds of years, and for good reason. In addition to looking good, shutters can also control the light and temperature in a room, provide insulation, and give a finished, tailored look to a room that curtains often can’t compete with. Deciding which style and material of shutters to use can be a challenge. Breaking it down in an organised fashion can help.
The Main Styles
Full-height shutters cover the entire window and open like doors, providing a great option for large windows and bay fronts. They give full control over the light. Café-style shutters cover only the lower half of the window. This style is best used on ground floor windows on street facing sides of a home. They provide privacy at eye level and still allow light to come into the room from the upper window.
Tier-on-Tier Shutters are split into two separate panels that operate independently, so they are great to use on larger window heights. Tracked shutters, like a sliding glass door, will work well in a larger opening, like a patio door. Panel shutters will block the most light and are the most insulating so they are popular to use in the bedroom.
Materials and What They Suit
Hardwood shutters are a good choice for decorative coverings because they can be painted to match your colour schemes and are substantial looking. The main drawback to shutters is their sensitivity to changes in humidity. This can make them undesirable for use in areas such as the bathroom. A good alternative for budget and moisture constraints would be engineered wood shutters. These shutters will not warp and offer better peace of mind in areas of high humidity.
Moisture resistant composites and PVC shutters are a good choice for kitchens, baths and utility rooms because they will not swell or peel like other shutters. They can be a bit heavier than expected, so make sure your frame is solid before hanging. Aluminium shutters are a good choice for exterior use because salt air will corrode wood shutters on coastal properties and aluminium will not rust.
Louvre Size and Operation
Louvre width changes the entire look of a shutter. Narrower louvres (around 47mm) provide a classic, more detailed look and wider louvres (89mm and greater) let in more view and work better with larger windows. As a general rule the wider the window the wider the louvre can be without it looking fussy.
How do you want the louvres to tilt? Traditionally, tilt rods are in the centre of the louvres. From the face of the shutter, a hidden tilt rod is more aesthetically pleasing and easier to clean. For a house with children, hidden mechanisms may also be desirable, as there is less for a child to grab and fewer places for dust to collect.
Measuring, Fitting and Frames
Most shutters are custom measurements and small deviations can cause large fit issues. Measure the width at the top, the middle, and the bottom of the recess and use the smallest of the three. Repeat this process for the height. Remember if the shutters are to be fitted inside the recess, that there is enough clearance for the panels to open fully over the handles (if any) and window sills.
In situations where the recess is shallow or irregular, a face-fix frame mounted to the wall around the window avoids the problem. With a deep frame, it can cover up irregular plaster, which is very common in older homes, and walls which are not perfectly square. The frame is hinged in the middle to allow it to open, so time should be taken to correctly align it rather than rushing it.
Looking After Them
Cleaning is simple. Dust louvres with a soft cloth or lint-free mop. Work along the louvres rather than across them. Moisture and abrasives should be avoided as they will remove the finish. For sticky spots, use a barely damp cloth.
Check hinges and screws for looseness once a year and add a drop of light oil to any squeaky pivots. For louvres that sag, many designs allow you to adjust tension. These small details allow shutters to operate smoothly for many years.
The shutters that provide the best light control, moisture barrier, and aesthetic appeal will last a long time and suit the functions of each room in the house. The best shutters will also be easy to clean and suit the shape of the window. A well-made shutter, of any kind, is an investment that will last for many years.