Are you looking for window coverings that are beautiful, increase privacy, and protect against sunlight? Then window shutters are your best bet.
They’re a great way to add old-world charm to your home decor without losing out on the functionality of covering your windows. And they come in a variety of styles, sizes, and materials.
If you need shutters to complement the traditional interior design, wood ones are ideal, whereas café shutters are the perfect solution to enhance Scandinavian-style homes. Indeed, shutters can match the architectural style of every home.
To find out your options, we’ve prepared this brief guide. Go through it before deciding which type of shutter is right for your home.
What Are the Different Types of Shutters?
With so many types of window shutters, selecting one style can be overwhelming. Here’s a buyer’s guide based on materials and styles to make choosing the right one easier.
Materials
1) Wood Shutters
Wood shutters are classic window coverings that never go out of style. Crafted from quality hardwood, they add a rustic charm to windows and do wonders with farmhouse-style decor.
Available in a wide range of stains and finishes, these window coverings are a treat for the eyes. They’re a great way to block harsh sunlight in summer and insulate against the cold in winter, thus increasing your home’s energy-efficiency.
However, they are prone to warping and cracking with sudden temperature changes.
2) Composite Wood Shutters
Composite wood or faux wood shutters mimic the look but mitigate the warping problem of real wood shutters.
Made of engineered wood wrapped in a vinyl or PVC coating, they’re durable enough to withstand high humidity, thus making them a suitable choice for kitchens.
They’re also low maintenance, affordable, and protect your furniture and floors from sun exposure. One of their key features is that they’re not susceptible to termites and can be fitted on a variety of windows, irrespective of their size and shape.
3) Vinyl Shutters
If you’re looking for economical and lightweight window shutters, vinyl ones are your best bet.
They have PVC or aluminum support and are suitable for decorative purposes.
They’re also weather-resistant and work well in areas that have a lot of moisture, like kitchens.
These synthetic shutters are easy to clean and practically maintenance-free. They also don’t crack, peel, fade, or deteriorate like wood shutters. Unfortunately, they come in limited colours and stains; they are not so durable.
Style
1) Plantation Shutters
Plantation shutters are an excellent way to diversify your living space and give it an overall fresh look. Although they are simple in design and structure, they are great in ventilating and insulating your rooms.
These versatile window coverings have louvres 3 ½” wide. That’s why they’re considered suitable to make large windows appear proportional and not bulky.
2) California Shutters
These are similar to plantation shutters. One key difference is louvre width, which is 2 ½” in California shutters.
These window coverings keep out sunlight and endow windows with a sophisticated, neat, and organized look. They offer light control, reduce outside noise, and increase energy efficiency. By (easily) tilting the louvres, you can control the amount of light entering the room.
3) Café Shutters
Café shutters are the best way to get privacy without completely blocking out light. Their unconventional appearance also makes a statement, as these quirky shutters cover just part of a given window (usually, the lower half). They are ideal for front-facing windows in kitchens and living rooms where you want to enjoy open windows while maintaining some privacy.
They are, however, less flexible than other shutter styles as you can’t transform them from a partial window cover to a full one. If you want to fully cover the windows, you will have to remove them and install new shutters.
4) Bahama Shutters
Originating as storm protection in the tropics, Bahama shutters are unconventional, funky, charming, and a relatively inexpensive way to add style to your windows.
Typically fixed at the top of the window, they provide privacy and are excellent in blocking sunlight from entering rooms through large windows. Like any other shutter style, you can customize Bahama shutters to fit your windows.
When it comes to beauty, practicality, style, privacy, and convenience, window shutters are one of the best ways to dress your windows. They are available in a wide range of styles and materials so getting the perfect shutters for your home isn’t hard. We hope our guide to window shutters will help you make the right choice. If you have questions, contact a window covering expert near you.
