Today, shutters are used extensively all over the world, for functional and aesthetic purposes. Do all houses need shutters? Absolutely not, and many, many houses would look much better without shutters, rather than with “today's” shutters.
Will you find shutters on high-style modern homes such as Eichlers? No. But you will find them on more modest houses of the mid-century period.
Expect to see more external shutters outside the standard square or rectangular options in 2021.
They are distracting, heavy and not symmetrical or balanced. And the one window is too wide for shutters. A good rule of thumb if you are considering adding (or trying to decide whether to keep) shutters: if your windows are wider than they are tall, they won't look good with shutters.
We're starting to see plantation shutters available in larger, 4.5-inch louvers. This increased slat size creates a cleaner look with fewer lines than the traditional 2.5 or 3.5-inch louvers. Also growing in popularity for 2021 are hidden tilt rods, which take the bar off the shutter's front.
Shutters are a practical light control solution as they require minimal upkeep. The last thing you want is to spend hours dusting. Shutters can be kept clean and dust-free with a simple wipe down with a wet cloth. Plus, they are more durable than fabric options as they won't retain unpleasant odours from smoke or pets.
They protect against storms or other inclement weather. The provide relief from the hot summer sun and cold winter winds. They keep rain, hail, sleet and snow off your windows, and extend their life. They can provide privacy or help to darken a room for sleep.
Contrary to popular belief, not every window needs shutters. Shocker. Proper shutters should at least appear large enough to cover the entirety of the window when shut (as that's, you know, the whole point of shutters).
Today, shutters are used extensively all over the world, for functional and aesthetic purposes. Do all houses need shutters? Absolutely not, and many, many houses would look much better without shutters, rather than with “today's” shutters.
1. Louvered shutters. Louvered shutters are among the most popular and consist of overlapping slanted slats that block out the light and prevent people from seeing in while allowing a breeze to pass through.
Aluminum Shutters
Aluminum is one of the most popular construction materials today and for many good reasons. If you want the best shutters for your home, aluminum exterior shutters offer a variety of benefits. They are among the leading bestsellers on the market.
With exterior shutters, you can improve your home's value and a lot more. This window treatment technique protects your house, boosts energy efficiency, and improves curb appeal. Shutters also enhance privacy and help transform the exterior décor.
Plantation shutters also fit in exceptionally well with the mid-century modern style. When paired with a slightly slanted roof, the clean lines of shutters add visual interest and contrasting geometry that's typical of modern architecture.
Shutters may be employed for a variety of reasons, including controlling the amount of sunlight that enters a room, to provide privacy, security, to protect against weather or unwanted intrusion or damage and to enhance the aesthetics of a building.
Whether it's high winds or flying debris, functional shutters act as a shield for your windows and help keep everything inside safe. Windows at the back of a home are just as vulnerable to weather damage as those in the front; therefore, shutters can provide the same benefits on both sides.
Now, if the question were 'could I' rather than 'should I', the answer would simply be, 'yes'; we can install plantation shutters on every window in your house (whatever its size or shape).
Originally, shutters were used to protect homes from the weather and intruders. Today, function is no longer a necessity thanks to glass window panes. But if you want that added protection, functional exterior shutters are a perfect way to add curb appeal and old-world functionality.
When looking at the trend chart, it appears “plantation shutters” as a search term online is trending slightly downward, but that was a few years ago after reaching it's most popular era. It's flat-lined for now which means while it's not trending upward, it's sufficiently popular so as to not be “out of style”.
Shutters can last anywhere from 10 to 20+ years, depending on what they are made of and how often they are used. Solid wood shutters are some of the most durable with faux wood shutters being a more economical but still durable alternative.
Wood is the most traditional material used in plantation shutter construction, but there are several areas where wood is not the best choice for your shutter. Since it is susceptible to moisture and humidity, we don't recommend wood shutters (or faux wood) in the bathroom, attic, and garage.
We are often asked if shutters will make rooms darker throughout the day when installed. The simple answer is that shutters can offer complete darkness, full light and anywhere in between. In fact shutters are one of the most versatile solutions for your windows when it comes to window dressings.
Plantation shutters have wider louvers compared to the narrow and smaller louvers of traditional shutters. That is why they work the best with larger windows as the flaps are adjustable and it is easy to control the amount of light that comes through.