When it comes to updating blinds, windows or curtains might be the first thing that come to mind, but shutters are the perfect way to turn any space into a welcoming and comfortable retreat. Solid or stained closed, or swung completely closed, their hinged panels can add a touch of elegance to your interior decor. And all year round, shutters for windows are energy efficient. The louver structure keeps air in place to protect you from heat and cold, whether the season is spring or winter.
As well as helping to cut down on energy bills and reducing energy costs, custom shutters Oxford can also boost the value of your home as well as add incredible curb appeal. They’ll leave a lasting impression on potential buyers due to their ability to differentiate the subtleties of contemporary and traditional, or coastal or colonial decor.
The secret is in your unique mix of colors, tilt rod placement in the frame, the number of panels and frame design.
Are you interested in discovering the secrets? This is all you need know about choosing the perfect shutters that are custom-designed for your living space.
First, A Brief History
First window shutters came into existence from Ancient Greece. The first designs were made of marble. static shutters helped defend the home against the breezy and sometimes stormy Mediterranean climate.
When the use of window shutters spread across the continent in the Middle Ages, changes were implemented in their designs. The change from marble to wood made it possible for manufacturers to design louvers that could be closed and opened, allowing more control over lighting, ventilation, and privacy, while also keeping out rain.
In the 18th and 19th century in the American South, the name “shutter” was the first time officially created and louvered shutters added the elegance and grandeur of Southern mansions.
How to Choose The Best Window Shutters
These days, shutters can be fitted in homes of every shape and size, on doors and windows, small or large. They’re available in many shades, natural wood stain and other materials, as well as hinges and frames. Here are a few tips to help you select the best shutters that will fit in your space.
What To Consider When Selecting Color
When choosing a paint color or stain, think about your home’s exterior as well as your interior design. You’ll want a color that is compatible with the aesthetic and color scheme that you choose for the exterior.
Making the Right Choice for Your Panel Configuration
Shutters look best in a way that they match the style of your windows. In other words, they’re vertical. shutters line up with the vertical framework for your window. Single-panel shutters are most popular, as they are the most efficient way to let light in and maximize the view outside. Some windows might prefer a more traditional bi-fold panel look. For optimal light, look for fewer obstructions by fitting the biggest possible panel size.
Hidden Tilt Bar Vs. Visible Tilt Bar
A prominent center tilt rod is the most classic style that is featured on classic shutters made of plantation, and is ideal for accentuating colonial and cottage-style houses. A concealed tilt rod gives an updated look to a space and gives the most light, and the best visibility on shutters with multiple panels.
Frames are the final touch
Its visual distinction between the wall and shutter is an important detail not to be overlooked. It doesn’t matter if it’s thin or thick or contrasting in color or matching, the shutter molding can be dressed up to match the opening. Choose from L-shaped, T-frame casing frames, many more.
What Shutter Materials Are Available?
Wood Shutters
There’s something warm and inviting that warm and cozy shutters made of wood bring to a space. They’re less heavy than faux wood, poly, and even hybrid shutters. But, wood is susceptible to warping in humid areas, whereas faux wood proves to be more durable in humid environments.
Faux Wood Shutters
Made of polyresin and delivering the look of wood faux wood shutters appear as real and provide resistance to moisture even at high humidity, just like bathrooms. The faux wood shutters are resistant to scratches and are extremely durable.
Poly Shutters
Offering all the durability and feel of genuine wood shutters Our poly shutters are manufactured using an exclusive recyclable, non-toxic and flame-retardant materials. With a clear, patented finish, these shutters are easy to clean and maintain. No painting, no repairing, no replacing necessary.
Hybrid Shutters
Hybrid shutters mix the timeless elegance of real wooden frames with the strength of polymer panels. This creates a customized window treatment that does much more than simply look great. The panels aid in insulating windows and doors by 65 more effectively than standard shutters which helps keep energy costs at a minimum and make rooms more comfortable. The glass-like, laser-baked finish on the panels resists harmful UV radiation. It is not affected by cracks, yellowing, splitting, chipping, or warping.
Made-to-Measure Shutters
Whatever design elements and materials you choose, you can bet that the best choice is our simple-to-install, custom-made window shutters that fit your windows’ unique dimensions.
How To Measure For Inside Window Shutters To Mount:
First, make sure your window is deep enough for shutters to hang from the outside of the frame and take a measurement of the depth from the glass to the outside edge of the window casing. If the depth of your window casing is less than 2 3/4 inches, you’ll have to select the outside mounting option.
Next, measure the width left to right from three points: the top, middle and the bottom. Then, take a measurement of the height at the center, left of the top, and top right down until the sill of your window.
How To Measure For Exterior Mount Window Shutters:
Just repeat the steps of taking the inside of the window mount measurements.
For standard shutters made of L-frames, include 4 inches in the measurements of the width and add 2 inches to height when you have windows with a sill. The height should be increased by 4 inches if do not have a sill.
For shutters with designer frames, add 5 inches to the width measurement. Then add 2 1/2 inches of height when you have a window sill. You can add 5 inches height of the shutter if you don’t have the sill.
How to Hang Interior Shutters
The light streaming through windows could cause a lot of distraction. Not to mention the neighbors who can have longer hours to gaze at your brightly lit living room. It is possible to install shades to ward off unwanted eyes However, swinging shutters from wood are sure to be more intriguing.
Interior shutters were the first “window treatments,” often found for Southern and urban homes, and are still an effective way to give architectural and historical detail. They also aid in keeping out winter’s cold winds or summer’s intense heat. They’re simple to set in any window as they’re attached to a slim frame that either sits in the window opening or is placed around the outside of the casing. As long as the frame is placed correctly the shutters can swing free and then close the day’s distractions by satisfying click.
Measure the Window Opening
Take a horizontal measurement through the windows from three angles: top, middle, and bottom. Take three measurements vertically as well.
Make the smallest of the two measurement sets and send them to the shutter company to request custom shutters.
TIP: Use an extension rule that folds with a sliding extension, instead of a tape measurement, to get the most precise measurements inside.
Prep the Shutters
Set each shutter on the edge with the mortises of the hinge facing up and the louver control bars oriented towards one another. (This assures that all the bars will be facing the same direction when the shutter is hung and allows one shutter in each is set to open right, and the other opens to the left.)
Place a hinge into the mortise. Attach your driver or drill with the Vix bit. Place the bit into a screw hole in the hinge. Drill a pilot into the shutter. Repeat this process for all holes in the hinge.
Take note that the majority of shutter hinges are factory-configured to open towards the left so you’ll have to take pins out of half and then insert them upside down to ensure that each hinge on the right has an equivalent left-side.
With a Phillips head bit on the drill/driver, screw all hinges to shutters.
Set up the hanging strip
Have a helper hold a shutter that is open against the wall with its hinges flipped out so they are within the jamb. Adjust the entire unit so it’s hinges stick out of the jamb so that the shutter is able to be free of the casing once it’s aligned with the wall. Pencil a line on the jambs behind each hinge.
Hold the hanging strip against the lines. With a 1/8 -inch drill bit chucked into your drill/driver, bore through two pilot holes (one each at top and bottom) through the strip, and then into the jamb.
Now , using a square head bit with your drill/driver, attach the hanging strip on the jamb. Repeat for the other side.
Tips: Drive the screws through the hangers at an angle so as to prevent them from working loose as time passes.
Place the shutters in the Opening
With help from your assistant, insert both shutters into the window’s opening, then slip shims in at both the top and bottom to hold them in place. Adjust the shutters so that they have an even spacing along the window jamb, and also between the shutters.
The casing is marked at high point on each hinge’s hinge. Set shutters aside.
Mark Hinge Positions on Casing
With a combination square transfer the mark on the casing onto a line on the jamb and then hang the strip. This mark will show you where to place the hinges on the window.
Tips: When marking the hinges, you should use the top of the knuckle, not the pin, to guide you. This corresponds to an upper part of the hinge plate.
Put the shutters up on the Strips
When hanging your shutters, attach magnetic catch plates to their bottom (or the top) in the corners.
Open a shutter and position it in a way that the hinges with an L shape sit snugly in the corner created by the window strip and hanging strip jamb. Make sure that the top of each hinge plate with its line.
Mark the screw holes , and put the shutter aside. Use a 1/8-inch drill to drill pilot holes around the points.
Attach the hinges in a loose way to the strip of hanging using a Phillips-head screwdriver. Close the shutter and check the hinges are in a straight line. Make adjustments as needed, then tighten the screws.
Tips: Use a hand screwdriver instead of a drill/driver in tight spots. This gives you greater control, and damage is less likely to happen.
Set up the catch magnet
Attach a catch magnetic onto the metal plate on the shutter. Close the shutter, making sure that it is flush with the front of the windows.
With the magnetized catch positioned on the window, mark the screw holes.
Remove the catch from the shutter and set it on top of the marks of the sill. Attach the catch to the sill using a Phillips head screwdriver. Repeat the process for the second catch.
The best way to know is that a shutter (or door) is properly aligned by having the two halves of each of its hinges rest completely and squarely against one with the door closed.
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