The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Shutters for Your Home

Finding the perfect shutters to complement your home's architecture while achieving your functional needs and design vision requires thoughtful planning. From materials to operating styles, shutters offer extensive options, so making ideal choices can feel overwhelming initially. This comprehensive guide will walk through the key factors to consider when selecting interior and exterior shutters for residential settings.

Follow this advice to ensure you choose window shutters perfectly suited to your home's unique style, layout, lighting needs and decor. With proper guidance, you're sure to identify elegant, high-performing shutters that enhance your spaces for years to come.

Primary Types of Interior and Exterior Shutters

The first decision is choosing fundamental styles aligned with your windows and needs:

Plantation Shutters

The quintessential interior shutter featuring horizontal slats adjustable via tilter rods. Available in louver widths from 50mm up to 114mm in solid panel or open slat designs. Offer great light modulation and privacy control. Suitable for most window configurations. Popular shutter materials include timber, composites, vinyl and aluminum.

Cafe-Style Shutters

Full height solid panel concertina-style exterior shutters ideal for commercial storefronts and residential patio enclosures. Manual or electric motor operation. Provide near-complete shading when fully extended. Stylish way to delineate indoor/outdoor spaces.

Solid Panel Shutters

Timeless interior shutters featuring single flat panels that open vertically from side hinges in various configurations. Provide full blackout privacy and light control when closed. Stack neatly against walls. Suited for small, medium and large windows.

Tier-on-Tier Shutters

Interior shutters with two layers of adjustable horizontal louvers stacked vertically that move independently via pull rods. Allow ultra-precise tunable lighting effects. Top tier provides privacy while lower tier maintains outward visibility.

Track or Wardrobe Shutters

Accordion-style folding interior shutter panels mounted within wall pockets or closets on ceiling tracks. Convenient way to hide storage areas or closets while eliminating light gaps. Panels can stack open fully left or right. Require planning for recessed space.

Consider window configurations, use cases and decor style when selecting the optimal fundamental shutter varieties.

Key Factors in Choosing the Right Shutters

Beyond basic types, several other factors affect your optimal shutter selection for aesthetics, functionality and lasting performance:

Aesthetic Style

Match shutters to your interior design style and home architecture:

• Natural wood tones like cedar or basswood complement traditional, cottage, or rustic rooms.
• Crisp white plantation shutters create a clean, contemporary look.
• Bold painted colors make a dramatic statement and can highlight architectural details.
• Neutral tones blend in for understated elegance without competing with existing colors.
• Full height cafe-style shutters suit indoor-outdoor transitional aesthetics.
• Ornate tier-on-tier or architectural shapes provide historic refined elegance.

Choose options aligning with your overall vision.

Shutter Size and Proportions

Measure window openings carefully to identify ideal shutter sizing:

• Louver widths from 50mm to 114mm suit most interior mount plantation applications.
• Consider minimal coverage versus a fuller frame exterior mount overlapping windows more prominently.
• Factor in any obstructions like drapery hardware or window air conditioners when measuring.
• Account for height proportions including sill and glass divisions that impact sightlines.
• Verify maximum size limits by material and type. Test larger samples.

Proper measuring ensures custom-fitted shutters sized correctly for each unique window.

Mounting Configuration

Determine optimal placement:

• Inside frame mounting preserves full glass exposure when shutters are open.
• External mounting increases light control when closed but depends on construction.
• Cafe shutters are always exterior mounted below window tops.
• Inside mounting is simpler and broadly compatible for different window arrangements.

Material and Color Choices

Factor aesthetics, performance and budget:

• Natural woods offer a warm, traditional look if indoor humidity permits.
• Extruded aluminum resists warping with minimal maintenance in a vast array of colors.
• uPVC, fiberglass and composites cost less but emulate wood grains realistically.
• Durable powder coat painted aluminum finishes expand color options.
• Stained real wood provides unlimited custom color tones.

Operating Mechanism

Consider manual versus motorized opening:

• Tilt rods allow adjustable angling of louvers for light control.
• Pull rods open and close panels for room darkening.
• Motors add convenience but increase cost and complexity.
• Hidden cords maintain a sleek look over exposed rope pulls.

Match operation to expected usage – mild or frequent opening/closing.

Specialty Features and Accessories

Enhance functionality with options like:

• Integrated cordless blinds for light filtering behind shutters.
• Noise reduction insulation to absorb sound.
• gaps for controlled airflow if needed.
• Custom shapes for angled windows.
• Glass/polycarbonate insets for exterior shutters needing some transparency.

Consider any must-have additions to meet your needs.

Cost Factors

Budget helps guide material grades and fabrication methods:

• Imported standard-size vinyl or composite kits most affordable
• Locally made custom-sized timber or aluminum shutters are premium
• Added features like motorization increase price
• Complex installation needs may add expense

Factor long-term durability against initial price when investing in quality shutters.

Taking Precise Shutter Measurements

To receive accurate quotes, have these key measurements for each window:

• Exact window width and height including inside or outside frame dimensions.
• Depth from outside wall to inside window glass.
• Height from the bottom window sill to floor.
• Width of surrounding window trim or sash.
• Any protrusions into the frame space.
• For exterior mounts, the horizontal and vertical areas needing shutter coverage.

Provide photos and note special structural circumstances if any ambiguity exists. Precision measurements ensure custom shutters tailored to your windows.

Matching Shutters to Your Décor

Some style considerations when selecting colors and materials:

Modern and Contemporary Homes

• Sleek minimalist plantation style in lighter neutral tones
• Solid panels or cafe-style for uninterrupted lines
• Motorization enhances clean high-tech aesthetics
• Avoid heavily ornamented traditional designs

Classic and Traditional Architecture

• Plantation shutters with wider louvers in wood tones
• Natural materials like stained cedar provide period charm
• Protruding mid-rails and ornamental hardware suit classical designs
• Angled louvers in gazebo-style shapes complement cottages

Rustic and Farmhouse Interiors

• Unfinished natural wood like aged cedar without stains
• Rustic composite shutters with replicated rough-sawn wood textures
• Black wrought iron pulls and handles
• Earthy jewel tone colors on rails

Let your overall style guide choices. Seek integrated aesthetics.

Average Costs of Quality Shutters

Typical price ranges by material and fabrication:

Entry Level

Composite, vinyl or import shutters $250 – $400 per window

Mid Range

Hardwoods or locally made aluminum $400 – $800 per window

Premium

Teak, mahogany or specialty woods $800 – $1500+ per window

Added features, operating systems, ornate detailing, motorization and complex installations increase costs. Consider lasting value over upfront price alone.

Perfect Rooms to Install Shutters

While great across any room, certain applications benefit most from shutters:

Living Rooms

Adjustable illumination creates customizable mood lighting for activities like reading or watching TV without glare.

Home Theaters

Room darkening while reducing outside noise provides ideal audiovisual immersion.

Bedrooms

Blackout capabilities for uninterrupted sleep paired with sound absorption for relaxation.

Bathrooms

Moisture resistance and easily cleaned surfaces ideal for humid bathroom settings.

Offices

Increased privacy when needed allows focus. Light tuning reduces eyestrain from computer screens.

Evaluate each room's uses to determine ideal shutter placement. Light control and privacy typically take priority.

Taking Precise Measurements for a Perfect Shutter Fit

Avoid frustrations by carefully measuring all windows prior to ordering:

• Use a steel tape measure for maximum accuracy. Lasers or folding rules increase potential for error.
• For width, measure at top, middle and bottom accounting for any tapering or bowing. Use the smallest dimension.
• For height, measure left, right and center from top to bottom. Use the shortest distance.
• Confirm measurements and opening squareness by having a second person validate the numbers.
• Note any obstructions like handles protruding into the frames.
• For outside mounts, address the precise horizontal and vertical areas needing coverage.

Careful measuring prevents expensive remakes or subpar fit and appearance.

Shutters Offer Enduring Value

With proper selection and care, quality shutters represent an excellent long term investment that can increase home value by:

Enhancing Visible Curb Appeal
Attractive shutters give homes a polished look popular with prospective buyers and valuable for resale. Well-maintained shutters convey pride in ownership.

Achieving Energy Savings Insulated shutters reduce heat gain and loss to lower energy bills in hot or cold seasons. Savings often offset purchase costs.

Absorbing Outside Noise
Shutters dampen noisy urban clatter that otherwise penetrates through light curtains and blinds. Homes feel peaceful.

Protecting Furnishings Shutters prevent UV damage to interior furnishings that causes premature fading and deterioration. Window coverings require less frequent replacement.

Privacy and Safety Shutters stop prying eyes, deter break-ins, protect kids and pets and allow crime deterrent outdoor surveillance even at night.

Investing in quality shutters from reputable local suppliers delivers lasting dividends.

We Can Help You Select the Ideal Shutters

Choosing the optimal shutters involves evaluating many options balancing aesthetics, function and budget. While it may seem complex initially, our years of experience simplify the process. We help filter choices to identify solutions based on your exact needs and architecture. Contact us today to learn how the ideal custom shutters can enhance your home's windows for generations to come while also improving daily living.