Types Of Window Shutters That You Need To Know About

What are window shutters? Shutters are solid and stable window coverings that usually consist of vertical stiles and horizontal rails (top, middle, and bottom). It is installed for security, and privacy and to prevent unwanted elements from outside from coming in. Window shutters add a touch of luxury and this feeling of warmth to your home. Window shutters are stylish and decorative, very easy to use, and clean with light maintenance. In addition, they offer ventilation, light, excellent insulation, and control noise.

There are two different kinds of window shutters, interior shutters, and exterior shutters. The name implies that the interior shutter is usually inside the house, while the exterior window shutter is used outside the home. Therefore, under the two kinds of window shutters, there are different types of shutters.

Exterior window shutters 

Vinyl Window Shutters

Vinyl shutters are trendy among NA homeowners seeking durable, low-maintenance, and aesthetically pleasing window treatments. Made from high-quality PVC material, these shutters are resistant to fading, cracking, and peeling, offering long-lasting curb appeal. Homeowners love them for their cost-effectiveness, ease of shutter installation, and energy-efficient insulation, which helps reduce heating and cooling costs.

Vinyl shutters complement various exterior styles, best fitting traditional homes such as colonial, Cape Cod, or craftsman, as well as modern designs. Their versatility in design, color, and finish options allows them to enhance various architectural styles, making them a favored choice for homeowners looking to boost their home's exterior appeal.

Plantation shutters

These shutters have wide louvers. They are very durable as they have been used for many years. They are effective in blocking heat. When closed, they block light, and when they are opened, they let light in. They are a very great choice for homes in warm climates. Several Australians fancy plantation shutters because these shutters are highly reliable. It can also be used as interior window shutters.

Louvered shutters

These window shutters are popular and commonly used in Victorian and colonial buildings. While it blocks out light and allows total privacy, it doesn’t block air/breeze from coming through.

Board and Batten shutters

These shutters look good and are suitable for cabins, bungalows. However, they are harder to maintain compared to the others. These shutters are individual boards joined with battens.

Cut out shutters

These window shutters are custom shutters. These shutters usually feature a cut-out design on exterior window shutters like raised panels, board, and batten. Their designs include stars, hearts, etc.

Scandinavian shutters

Scandinavian window shutters are like Board and Batten shutters, more or less. Although, they are more durable. They can withstand very extreme weather conditions. Although they can be hard to operate, they are solid and sturdy. They are the less common type of exterior window shutters; They sometimes have cut-out designs too. They cover the whole window surface.

Interior Window Shutters 

Full height shutters

This is the most popular style of shutter. It covers the windows from top to bottom just like the name implies. This enables you to adjust the right amount of light you want in your room, lets you have total privacy, and helps to reduce outside noise. If you are looking for the classic window shutters for your home full-height shutters are an excellent choice, as they provide a timeless look that complements any decor. These shutters are particularly ideal for living rooms and bedrooms, where controlling light and maintaining privacy are key.

Café Shutters

Cafe shutters are usually louvered. They cover just the bottom half. Thus, the top half gives you light, while the bottom half gives you privacy. The name and style are derived from French Cafés.

Solid panel shutters

This type of interior window shutter is not louvered or slatted. If you are going for a dark, peaceful bedroom, this is the best shutter for you as it lets in less light. This does not mean that they don’t let in sunlight at all. It’s just less than other interior window shutters.

Shaker style

These interior window shutters are suitable for the bedroom, especially if you do not want much light. However, they are not adjustable and are primarily used for aesthetics. Note that the center rail will always be located in the center of the window shutter regardless of the shutter’s height.

Tier-on-tier shutters

As the name implies, there is the bottom tier and top tier. Both can be operated independently. If you have large windows, these shutters are perfect for it. You can let in light and air and also maintain your privacy.

Materials used in making Window shutters 

Wood (commonly used but needs to be treated at least once a year to avoid mold due to exposure). Foam synthetic, PVC (Doesn’t need so much care and maintenance and is long-lasting), Metal, Laminate, Aluminum(excellent choice for home protection).

Some shutters come as single panels, but for more expansive windows folding shutters are considered better options. There are three folding panels: No fold, which is the single panel, Bi-fold, two panels, and Tri-fold.

Window shutters come in different shapes, Rectangles, Arch shapes, circles, French door cuts, and specialty shapes like trapezoids, octagons, angle tops, and bread boxes.

There are different reasons why window shutters are installed, but two primary reasons stand out. The first reason is how they protect against extreme weather conditions. The second reason is how they provide privacy while being decorative and aesthetically pleasing. Now it’s been established that there are two kinds of shutters, the interior, and the exterior, which have different types. Therefore, it is essential to know them well to choose what suits your style and building. Hopefully, choosing this guide helps you understand the difference between the types of shutters and their benefits.

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