Shutters are a specific type of panel covering for windows that are used to keep a home protected from damage from the outdoor elements. They can also be used to keep your home protected from the harmful UV rays of the sun and can add a certain degree of insulation and aesthetic appeal to a home. In addition, they also provide an increased level of privacy.

A lot of homeowners get shutters because of their functionality. Most styles of shutters are very easy to operate. You can manually open and operate a lot of the different styles of shutters on the market, but there are also higher-end options that function electrically.

If you’re wanting to add some color or style to your home, shutters are a great way to do that. In addition to windows, shutters can also be installed on walls and doors. Depending on your design style, shutters can be customized to suit your tastes by simply painting them.

There is a wide variety of different styles of shutters on the market. You can get them in different sizes, colors, shapes, and materials. Many people enjoy the look and feel of wooden shutters, but many also prefer shutters manufactured out of vinyl or aluminum if they want to save some money.

Types of Shutters 

There are many different types of shutters available to choose from, and each one has its own set of characteristics and purposes that make it stand out from the rest.

Wood Shutters

Wood shutters are manufactured out of specific types of wood that can then be painted or stained to suit your aesthetic tastes. With wood shutters, wood is measured and then cut into strips that will then be nailed to compile a collection of panels.

If you’re a homeowner that wants to add some character to your house, wood shutters are a common option. Wood shutters are available in a wide range of colors, sizes, and styles. They are also quite easy and straightforward to install, and most people with no DIY experience can get the job done effectively on their own.

Wood shutters date back hundreds of years and are still commonly used in homes to add a unique and warm look to homes. These shutters contain a high degree of durability because they are manufactured from pressure-treated wood.

They are flexible, versatile, and come in a number of different sizes. They don’t require much maintenance and they will look good for years to come after installation.

PVC Shutters

PVC shutters are manufactured from polyvinyl chloride. These low-maintenance shutters are a great way to keep homes protected from the outdoor elements. For some people, certain styles of wood shutters can feel a little bulky to install. PVC shutters are a great alternative to consider if you’re looking for an easy installation.

PVC shutters are very lightweight products and long-lasting. You don’t have to worry about painting them, and they have a high degree of customization. They are resistant to rust, so even if water manages to come in contact with them, you don’t have to worry.

These shutters are available in a wide range of different colors and in addition to using them for residential homes, can also be used for commercial properties.

PVC shutters are a budget-friendly product that can be easily installed on both the inside and outside of your windows.

Metal Shutters

Metal shutters are another type of window covering that can be manufactured from:

• Steel
• Iron
• Aluminum

Metal shutters are a great way to add a stronger measure of privacy to your home. At the same time, they can also boost your home’s interior or exterior curb appeal.

In addition to the increased privacy, there are a couple of nice things that homeowners like about metal shutters:

• They provide insulating characteristics to a home
• They prevent excess noise from getting inside a home
• They are customizable

Because metal shutters are manufactured from steel, iron, or aluminum, it makes them extremely durable. Metal shutters typically come in two different styles: temporary or permanent.

With permanent metal shutters, they are attached directly to the frame of your window and you won’t be able to detach them without causing some minor damage.

Temporary shutters are a little more lightweight in comparison to permanent shutters, so you’re able to detach them from your window without causing as much damage.

Composite Wood Shutters

Composite wood shutters are manufactured from synthetic materials and natural wood. The combination of these materials makes them a very long-lasting and durable product that can drastically increase the aesthetic value of a home.

Composite wood shutters are resistant to elements like:

• Water
• Heat
• Mold
• Mildew

These shutters also don’t splinter apart or shrink/swell as is sometimes the case with regular wood shutters. Because of that, many homeowners like to install them in certain areas of the home that are more prone to a lot of environmental and elemental hazards, like the veranda, porch, or outdoor patio.

These shutters have a similar appearance to wood shutters, but they don’t come at the same high price that wood shutters do. Most people also find composite wood shutters much easier to install than regular wood shutters, so if you’re a do-it-yourself type of person, you’ll be reaping the benefits of savings on installing them yourself.

There are two different styles of composite wood shutters that you can choose from: louvered panels (commonly referred to as slats) or flat panels. With louvered panels, you’ll have to stain them before you install them. With flat panels, you can decide to customize them with whatever paint color you desire.

Interior Shutters

Interior shutters are designed to be installed on the interior of a window frame. They have both an inner and outer frame. With interior shutters, the inner frame will be connected to the opening of the window, and the outer frame will be connected directly to the wall. Each frame has hinges connected to them, and you can open or close them by lifting on the frames.

They can be manufactured out of any of the above-mentioned materials. If you have a home with a traditional design, wooden interior shutters are a great option to consider.

Many people install interior shutters because of the increased amount of privacy they offer. They also offer increased insulation and a greater degree of control over the amount of sunlight getting in. This can reduce your energy bills each month by causing your air conditioner to be working less.

Interior shutters typically have three panels per shutter and are also commonly referred to as louvered shutters. While interior shutters can be used in any type of room, many people like to use them on the windows that are directed inwards to the home as opposed to windows that are directed toward busy streets or properties.

Exterior Shutters

Like interior shutters, exterior shutters can also provide increased privacy in a home. Exterior shutters also lend to a greater curb appeal, and that’s something that can increase the potential resale value of your home if you ever decide to sell. Exterior shutters are manufactured from wood/composite wood, metal, or PVC.

Exterior shutters manufactured out of wood will typically cost the most to purchase. Vinyl exterior shutters aren’t as expensive as wood ones, but they also aren’t as durable.

One of the nice things about exterior shutters is their ability to prolong the life of your windows. Ongoing elemental damage from wind, rain, snow, and sun exposure can cause the seals on the windows to wear down over time. Exterior shutters keep windows protected from these elements.

In the same way that interior shutters increase the energy efficiency of a home, exterior shutters can do exactly the same thing. They keep the warm air out in summer, which means your air conditioner won’t be working overtime to keep the home cool, and they keep the cool air out throughout the winter months of the year.

What Are The Different Styles Of Shutters?

There is a wide range of shutters that homeowners can choose from, and because of that, it can sometimes feel a little intimidating in trying to decide on just one. For those that find themselves confused about the different styles of shutters available, it helps to break things down by each one.

Traditional Shutters

Traditional shutters have been around for centuries and are a very popular window treatment that homeowners decide on for a number of reasons:

• There are many colors, styles, and finishes available
• You can stain and paint them however you like
• They are available in a number of different sizes
• They provide energy savings during the warmer and cooler months of the year
• They require little maintenance

If your goal is to add a higher degree of character to your home, the versatility of traditional shutters can go a long way in helping you reach that goal.

Depending on the type of traditional shutters you’re looking into, the price can range from around $200 to over $500 for each window.

Plantation Shutters

Plantation shutters function similarly to how your standard door functions. These shutters are also fairly common, especially for those that are wanting an option that allows a great deal of natural light into the home. They also provide a good measure of privacy at the same time as protecting a home from the elements of nature.

Plantation shutters give you control of disallowing people to look inside your home while still allowing light in at the same time, and this isn’t something you can get with every style of shutter. You can easily control the amount of light that gets in by simply adjusting how open or closed they are.

Plantation shutters are typically installed inside the window frame, which is comparable to how Venetian blinds are installed. The distinguishing factor between the two is that Venetian blinds are manufactured out of metal or plastic and plantation shutters are typically manufactured out of wood or faux wood. Plantation shutters can be installed horizontally, vertically, and diagonally.

Louvered Shutters

Louvered shutters are characterized by their adjustable thin slats. Many homeowners choose to go with louvered shutters for sliding glass doors, patio doors, and French windows because of the high amount of shade they offer. Louvered windows are typically manufactured out of vinyl and aluminum, and because of that, many DIY types of people find them convenient to install.

Like many of the other shutter options available, louvered shutters keep the home protected from the outdoor elements. Louvered shutters derived their name because they appear similar to the slats that you’d find on your standard Venetian blinds.

Louvered shutters are commonly found in southern-styled homes and homes that just want to stay protected from the rays of the sun. For those wanting to have full control over the amount of natural light getting into a home, louvered shutters are an ideal choice.

These shutters are available in a wide range of different colors, styles, and sizes. You can install them as interior or exterior shutters. Some of the different varieties of louvered shutters available are:

• Garden gate louvered shutters
• Casement louvered shutters
• Awning louvered shutters
• Slat louvered shutters
• Stem louvered shutters

Image credited to Our Vintage Nest

Cafe Shutters

Cafe shutters are typically manufactured out of aluminum alloy, and this makes them a weather-resistant product that won’t corrode or crack over time. This stylish option is a convenient and effective way to keep your home or commercial building protected and attractive at the same time. They keep the light out and prevent people walking by from looking into your place.

Cafe shutters are typically installed on the exterior of windows or doors and are one of the excellent options for those that are wanting to install shutters with security as their main concern. Cafe shutters are available in a number of options:

• Venetian
• Victorian
• Georgian

Cafe shutters have the ability to make every room just a little bit brighter due to their positive rate of light transfer. You can also use cafe shutters to prevent sunlight from getting into your bedroom in the evening hours. These shutters are also perfect for installing in an entryway area.

Board & Batten Shutters

Board & batten shutters are comparable to louvered shutters in their ability to keep a window covered up very well. They have slats that go vertical with battens that go horizontally.

Originally, board & batten shutters were manufactured out of metal and wood. Over the years, composite materials became the norm because of their increased durability.

Composite materials are also a little lighter in comparison to wood and metal, and that makes the installation process more convenient.

Board & batten shutters provide a modern look to a home that is also convenient and easy to clean. They are available in many different colors and styles. These shutters originally started being used in churches back in the 16th century and progressively started being used in homes.

One of the nicest things about board & batten shutters is how they can keep light out of a home while still allowing a small measure of it inside at the same time through the tiny slats.

Image credited to Signature Blinds and Shutters

French Door Shutters

French door shutters are shutters that are installed on French doors. They are a two-panel design that can be opened at the same time or separately. While increased home security and privacy are a few of the great things that French door shutters can do, they also add a unique style and elegance to a home.

Originally, French door shutters were used in France, but they have expanded across many countries throughout the world. French door shutters are highly customizable and can be adjusted with specific hardware options.

French door shutters are commonly manufactured from vinyl, aluminum, and wood. They can be made in different colors, and there are also a number of styles you can pick from that will flow with the aesthetic design and style of your home.

You can also get French door shutters in a number of sizes. If you’re worried about a gap that might occur between the windows and the walls after installation, you can rest assured in knowing that finding the right size will prevent this issue.

If you’re looking for shutters that will keep your doors protected during storms or heavy winds that might draw dirt and water into a home, French door shutters are a good option to think about.

Image credited to Bella Shutters & Blinds

Multi-Tier Shutters

Multi-tier shutters are a popular style among homeowners who want to have a high degree of control over the amount of natural light that gets into a particular room. The main distinguishing factor of multi-tier shutters from other shutters is how their panels stack when they aren’t open.

These shutters are very popular for homes that have big windows/doors. After they are installed, they can instantly create a completely different look to a window or door. You can find multi-tiered shutters in almost any color and size, making them perfect for those that want full customization.

Multi-tiered shutters are also quite popular for those that want to increase the security of their homes. In multi-tiered shutters, you can open each layer to let air flow throughout a certain room in your home without allowing any of the hot rays of the sun in at the same time. When the shutters are closed, you have near full control of the natural light.

Multi-tiered shutters are commonly used in commercial properties located in hot climates that want a high degree of control over the light and the heat. They are also perfect for patio doors.

Image credited to Shutter Homes

Arched Shutters

If increasing the style and design of your home is one of your priorities, arched shutters can do exactly that. They are available in a number of different sizes and can have your home appear more modern or a little more traditional, depending on your unique preferences.

The design of arched shutters is a curved shape that instantly appears more elegant and unique than the standard shutters you see in homes. While they are quite stylish, that doesn’t sacrifice their ability to add a lot of privacy to your windows or doors.

Arched shutters come in various sizes that can be adapted to fit all of your needs. These shutters have the uncanny ability to draw attention to a certain part of your home. Many homeowners like to get arched shutters above large windows to create a focal point that people will look at.

Homes that have a more traditional type of architectural design can really benefit from getting arched shutters installed. While many arched shutters are manufactured from wood, you can also find them manufactured from metal.

Image credited to Shutter Contractor

Raised Panel Shutters

With raised panel shutters, you’re getting a style where the panels will be situated higher up from the window frame’s perimeter. These shutters are usually manufactured from wood and also usually come with a design included.

Many homeowners like to go with raised panel shutters because of how elegant and unique they can make a home look. At the same time, they also give you a great degree of control over the natural light flowing in. Rear panel shutters are quite durable and stand the test of time. You can customize them with your favorite color of stain or paint.

Raised panel shutters have been around for many years and can be found in many countries, and many new homes are still going with these types of shutters. One thing to note about raised panel shutters is that they aren’t excellent in environments with heavy winds.

While the most popular style of raised panel shutters is solid panel and louvered, you can also find other styles, such as:

• Colonial – The Colonial style is wide
• French – The French style is quite tall
• Victorian – The Victorian style is also a wider design

Image credited to Riverwood Building Company

Barn Door Shutters

Barn door shutters are perfect for the interior and exterior of a home. You can install them on most styles of windows and doors, and they are commonly manufactured from vinyl, aluminum, and wood.

Barn doors are perfect for those that don’t want to completely block out the natural light but still want increased privacy.

For that reason, barn doors are ideal for bedrooms where you want full privacy but still want the ability to see the outdoors.

Image credited to Baccarnix

Scandinavian Shutters

Scandinavian shutters are often found in countries like:

• Finland
• Sweden
• Denmark
• Norway

These shutters have dual side panels that can be pivoted on both the bottom and above rails. You can open them in the same way as you would a door. As you open the shutters, they formulate somewhat of an A type of shape that will cover the opening of the window.

Scandinavian shutters provide a good degree of insulating characteristics for a home, especially in the colder months when temperatures dip. These durable shutters typically last for many years and don’t require a ton of maintenance.

Image credited to Shadows Design Inc

Exterior Rolling Shutters

Exterior rolling shutters are perfect for homes that deal with a lot of foot traffic on the exterior of the home. They are characterized by high durability and longevity, especially in severe climates that can subject homes to damage from the wind.

Exterior rolling shutters consist of the shutter and a track that the shutter will roll along. You typically find these shutters manufactured from aluminum or steel. Installing these shutters is quite easy and can be done in under 3 hours.

Image credited to Lowcountry Hurricane Protection

Storm Shutters

If protection from storms is your number one concern, storm shutters should be considered. Storm shutters consist of panels that easily fit over windows to prevent rain, wind, and other debris from makings their way inside.

It’s hard to predict the nature of storms, especially if you live in an area that is exposed to hurricane seasons. Storm shutters are usually installed on the outside of a home, but you also have the option to install them on the interior.

Role Of Shutters In Window Treatment

Shutters have a number of roles in window treatments:

• They provide you with a number of different designs and colors that can completely change the look and feel of your home
• They provide you with increased privacy and security
• They give you more control over the light that makes its way into your home
• They give you more control over the elements of nature

Shutters are highly customizable and can be made to accurately fit the majority of windows on the market.

Shutters Vs Blinds

Shutters and blinds have a number of characteristics that set them apart from each other. The largest difference between them is how they are fitted on a window. Shutters are securely connected to the frame of a window to provide a little more stability, while blinds are connected to either the interior of the window above or the window recess.

Shutters look like slats that are hung on either the interior or exterior of the window frame. Shutters are manufactured from aluminum, vinyl, wood, or composite wood.

Blinds are window coverings, as well, but they operate a little bit differently. Blinds are manufactured from either plastic or fabric.

The aesthetic appeal blinds offer is on the softer side

• Blinds are more affordable
• They are highly adjustable
• Lots of different options

Advantage And Features Of Shutters

Shutters have a number of advantages and features:

• Their uniqueness can increase the value of your home
• They are durable and last a long time
• They provide a great deal of insulation to a home, meaning increased energy efficiency
• They don’t require much maintenance
• The many different designs available can work with any home they are installed in
• They give you more control over the amount of light getting into your home
• They give you more privacy and security

Conclusion

Shutters have been used for hundreds upon hundreds of years. Over time, their functionality, design, and aesthetic appeal might have changed, but their usefulness hasn’t. They are easy to install, give you more control over lighting, increase privacy, and can even increase the value of your home.

For all updates and information about shutters, you can check our shutters category.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Question)

There are a number of questions that people have regarding shutters. Some of the more common ones are:

What Is The Purpose Of Shutters?

Shutters serve a number of important purposes in a home. Each homeowner might have a different purpose for getting shutters.

• Some want to add some decorative flair to their home
• Some want to increase their home’s security
• Some want more protection from the outdoor elements
• Some want more control over the amount of light that gets through a window

What Is The Difference Between Blinds And Shutters?

While shutters and blinds are both used to add more privacy to a home while preventing the light from getting in, there are a couple of notable differences. The main differences are the costs and the installation process.

The other main difference is that shutters are attached right to the window frame, while blinds are connected to the interior of the window.

What Is The Purpose Of Outdoor Shutters?

The main purpose of outdoor shutters is to provide more security, protection, and style to a home. Outdoor shutters are available in a variety of different colors and styles, so you’ll never have to worry about not being able to find one that won’t work for your home.

Before choosing outdoor shutters, you’ll want to figure out what your objective is in getting them in the first place.

Why Are Shutters Better Than Blinds?

Shutters are much better than blinds for a number of reasons. They look a lot more aesthetically appealing than blinds without requiring much maintenance. Shutters are highly customizable, and their ability to fit into any style of a home makes them a versatile option.

Shutters are also more durable. You’ll never have to worry about shutters being damaged by pets or children in the same way that blinds can be. Shutters also offer a greater degree of privacy than blinds.

Shutters can be thought of as just the right combination of all of the positive characteristics of drapes and blinds at the same time.