Whether you’re erecting your house from scratch or giving it a much-needed facelift after years of negligence, installing window shutters is unquestionably one of the biggest temptations. Window shutter installation is arguably one of the simplest tasks that can deceivingly give off a major upgrade feeling.
So, if you’re looking to give your house a major make-over ambiance without actually doing much, window shutters are just the right thing for you. In addition to simply boosting the aesthetic feature of your house, window shutters also come with a plethora of safety and economic benefits as well.
However, it would not be wise of you to simply jump in the shutter bandwagon without understanding which factors are crucial. Some of the top-tier service providers like Shutters Australia offer a wide range of options tailored for different needs.
So, here are some of the key factors you should consider before installing window shutters in your house.
Type of shutter
Contrary to what most people think, there are different types of window shutter options in the market. These shutters are aesthetically suitable for different types of house designs. So, depending on your house architecture, you can choose the ideal shutter design.
Raised panel
Raised panel shutters are identical to a normal door design or kitchen cabinets. They are usually identified by the number of panels on each side. They also have a distinctive low profile that makes them an ideal option with a wide range of house design like –
Victorian
French county
Georgian
Greek Revival
Colonial
Ranch
Cape Cod
Louvered
Louvered shutters are probably the most popular type that most people are familiar with. The unique angled slats design allows you to control the amount of light and air to pass through it. They are arguably the best option for ensuring maximum practicality.
They are best suited for houses like –
Italianate
Georgian
Greek Revival
Victorian
Ranch
Federal
Colonial
Bahama
Bahama Shutters are an entirely different form of window shutters that features a unique hinge mechanism. They are also known as Bermuda shutters. They are typically ideal for tropical locations to allow optimum air and light penetration while offering ample protection against storm and rain as well.
They are suitable for house design such as –
Ranch
Cottage
Cape Cod
Board and Batten (BnB)
Board and Batten, or simply BnB, is another common type of window shutters that has a distinctive vertical board design. They usually come in four different styles –
Standard open
Standard closed
Standard closed with “z” cross bracing, and
Standard closed with an extra batten.
They are suitable for house design like –
French county
Mediterranean
Ranch
Cape Cod
Choosing the Correct Shutter Size
Irrespective of which type of shutters you decide to go for, picking out the right size also plays a crucial role. There are several size options you can consider depending on your personal requirement.
For example: if privacy is your main priority, a full height shutter is an ideal choice. However, with a full-height shutter, you may have to compromise with limited light penetration.
On the other hand, if you require some degree of privacy but still want to ensure ample light exposure, a café style shutter is the best option. These types of shutters only cover the lower half of your window. Thus, allowing you to maintain modest privacy while allowing good light and air penetration as well.
Lastly, the tier on tier style shutter is ideal for people who require full control over their privacy and light exposure as well. With these shutters, you can close/open the bottom or the top half panels independently. So, technically it is a full-length shutter. But, it operates similar to a café style shutter.
Choosing the ideal framing style
Most people simply overlook the importance of choosing the correct framing style while installing window shutters. In reality, choosing the right frame plays a crucial role in easing the process of shutter installation and enhancing its aesthetic appeal as well.
For instance, L-frames are ideal for promoting a subtle and minimalistic appearance. They are also easy to install and are usually preferred only for windows that already have an existing casing around it.
On the other hand, inside mount frames (or, Z-frames) are ideal for windows that have an existing sheet rock surrounding it. In case your window isn’t perfectly leveled, these frames will help you hide any gaps as well.
