Interior Window Shutters

Interior Window Shutters – Shut Out The World

Most people think of shutters as being something that is installed on the outside of your windows. If you haven’t seen interior window shutters before, then you would be forgiven for thinking this, because all you’ve ever seen while driving around is shutters on the outside of homes. But you never know what goes on behind closed doors, and I can guarantee you that interior shutters are becoming more and more popular all the time.

If you’ve made the decision that curtains and roller blinds aren’t the right thing to get for your house, then you have probably narrowed your options down to either blinds or shutters. While blinds are terrific for some situations, there are many benefits to be had with an interior window shutter. For one, they are a lot more solid. While blinds are usually loosely fitted against a window frame, shutters become an integral part of the window. For this reason, they tend to be much better insulators than blinds, as there are no gaps for the cold air (or hot, in summer) to come through. Shutters, however, are more of a permanent fixture. If you change your mind, blinds are a lot easier to replace than shutters are.

There are two types of shutters that you can get for the inside of your home. The first is with stationary slats, and the second is with moveable slats. Although they cost more, I would definitely go with moveable slats if possible, as they give you a lot more control over what light comes into your house and when. Usually the shutter will have a handle running down the side or the middle of it that allows you to rotate the slats and filter out the sunlight as desired. interior window shutters There are different thicknesses of slats that you can get. Generally, the bigger the window is, the thicker the slat should be. The only real reason for this is aesthetics, as a small slat on a large window can look a little strange.

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There are many different types of materials available for shutters. Most people think of wooden interior window shutters as the only option, and while they are great, there are also shutters made from vinyl, plastic, faux wood, and even metal. Vinyl is a lot easier to clean, as you just need a wet rag and some soapy water to get marks off, and the same can be said for faux wood. Vinyl interior window shutters are also the cheapest option available, and many of us need to be extra careful with our money.

If you really like the look of curtains, but love the functionality of shutters, then don’t forget that it is possible to have the best of both worlds. A nice set of curtains installed over the top of your shutters can look absolutely stunning, especially when the curtains are tied back to reveal the slats. This way, you can have your cake and eat it too.

If at all possible, it is recommended that you get your shutters professionally fitted and installed. If you are a bit of a handy person, you may be able to get away with doing it yourself, but if you make one wrong measurement, you could end up with wood interior window shutters that just don’t fit. At least if a professional makes a mistake, they are responsible for replacing your shutters.

Window Shutters – Inside and Out

Curtains and blinds are great for those windows that you want to access on a regular basis, but if you are after something a bit more solid and permanent, then you are probably going to want to look at window shutters. The majority of shutters are made from timber and consist of a vertical frame on either side of the window and twp or three horizontal frames (top and bottom, and optionally one in the middle). Within this frame a shutter will usually have louvres, which can be either fixed in place, or movable so that you can open and close them. Some shutters are fixed into the window cavity permanent, while others are set on hinges, and can be opened and closed as needed. There are many different reasons why people use shutters in their homes. Shutters with louvres that open and close are great for privacy, whereas outdoor shutters are used to protect your home from the harsh weather. Some people just love the look of them, and install them for no other reason than their aesthetic value.

Usually the shutters that you install on the inside of your windows will have hinges on the inner window frame, allowing them to swing open and closed. In the case of corner windows this is not possible, as the shutter “door” will have nowhere to swing. You can get interior shutters that have louvres that can be moved up and down to control the amount of light that is filtered through, and you can also get stationary louvres that do not move. Stationary louvres are usually cheaper, but are not recommended for areas that see a large amount of sunlight. There are different sized louvres available, the larger slats being used more widely on larger windows. This style of shutter is often referred to as “Plantation Shutters” or “Californian Shutters”, and can be used to great effect in the right situation. The slats that open and close are quite often split into two pieces, so that you can open the louvres in the top half of the shutter, while leaving the bottom half closed, or visa versa.

Exterior Window Shutters

Exterior shutters have been used since colonial days to protect your home from the extremes of weather that mother nature throws at us. Having the shutters on the outside of your window protects the glass in the case of flying debris or heavy rain. As with the interior variety, outside window shutters are usually attached to the side of the window frames using a hinge, allowing you to open and close them as needed. The downside is that they are not as easy to access as indoor shutters. You can also get shutters that are not functional and do not even close over your window. Obviously, these are purely for show. When purchasing shutters for windows, especially exterior ones, a great deal of attention needs to be paid to the materials used. Shutters on the outside of your home are going to be exposed to the elements day in and day out, and it is important that they are made of a sturdy hardwood and coated in weather proof paint or varnish in order for them to last the distance.

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Of course, wood is not the only material available for shutters. You can also get synthetic materials that are very sturdy and lightweight, however they do not have the charm of real wooden window shutters. If you are on a tight budget, and really want the look of shutters in your home, then it would be well worth your while to investigate vinyl window shutters. The benefit of vinyl is that it is hard wearing, and will not fade in direct sunlight as wood can. You can also get vinyl shutters in many different colours, so for the modern decor or the kids bedrooms, this can be used to great effect.