Updated January 2024
When it comes to updating windows, curtains or blinds may first come to mind, but shutters are an elegant way to transform any space into a warm and cozy retreat. Whether stained or solid, swung open or completely closed, their hinged panels add charm to your home’s décor. Interior window shutters are also energy-efficient. The louver construction traps air to insulate against heat and cold year-round.
While helping to reduce energy costs, custom shutters can boost your home’s value and add tremendous curb appeal. They’ll leave a lasting impression on prospective buyers with their ability to distinguish the subtleties between contemporary and traditional, or coastal and colonial décor.
The secret is in your own unique combination of colors, tilt rod placement, number of panels, and frame style.
Interested in unlocking those secrets? Here’s all you need to know to select the right custom shutters for your living space.
First, A Brief History
The first window shutters originated in Ancient Greece. Designed first in marble, static shutters helped defend the home against the breezy, and sometimes stormy, Mediterranean climate.
As the use of window shutters spread across the continent during the Middle Ages, changes were made in their designs. The switch from marble to wood allowed builders to make louvers that could be opened and closed, allowing more control over light, ventilation, and privacy, while keeping out rain.
In the 18th- and 19th-century, the name “shutter” was first officially coined in the US, and louvered shutters extended the grandeur and elegance in Southern mansions.
How to Select The Right Interior Window Shutters
Today, shutters can be installed in homes of all shapes and sizes, on doors and windows, big or small. They’re available in countless colors, natural wood stains, materials, hinges, and frames. Here are a few tips to help you choose the right shutters for your home.
What To Consider When Selecting Color
When choosing a paint color or stain, consider your home’s exterior as well as the interior décor. You’ll want a color that works well with both the design aesthetic and color palette of your exterior.
Choosing The Right Panel Configuration
Shutters look best when they follow the layout of your windows; this is when the vertical members of the shutters align with the vertical framework of your windows. Single panel shutters are the most popular, as they maximize light and the view outside. Specific windows might prefer a more traditional bi-fold panel look. For the best light, look for fewer obstructions by fitting the widest possible panel size.
Visible Tilt Bar vs Hidden Tilt Bar
A visible center tilt rod (pictured left) is the most traditional style featured on classic plantation shutters, and is perfect for accenting cottage or colonial-style homes. A hidden tilt rod (pictured right) adds a more modern look to a room and provides the most light, and visibility on shutters with multiple panels.
Frames Are The Finishing Touch
The visual transition between wall and shutter is an important detail not to be overlooked. Whether thick or thin, contrasting in color or matching, the shutter molding can dress up the opening. Choose from L-shaped, T-frame, casing frames, and more.
What Shutter Materials Are Available?
Wood Shutters
There’s something so warm and cozy about real wood shutters and what they bring to a space. They’re much lighter than faux wood, poly and hybrid shutters. However, wood can warp in high humidity areas whereas faux wood proves to be much better in damp environments.
Faux Wood Shutters
Made of polyresin and offering the looks of traditional wood, faux wood shutters look just like the real thing and offer moisture resistance in high humidity, like bathrooms. Faux wood shutters are also scratch-proof and extra durable.
Poly Shutters
Offering all the durability and feel of real wood shutters, our poly shutters are made with patented recyclable, non-toxic and flame-retardant construction. Featuring a crisp, patented finish, these shutters are easy to clean and care for.
Hybrid Shutters
Hybrid shutters combine the timeless elegance of real hardwood frames with the resilience of solid poly, or faux wood, panels. The result is a custom window treatment that does much more than just look good. The panels help insulate windows and doors 65% better than all-wood shutters to help keep energy bills low and rooms more comfortable. The laser-baked, glass-like painted finish on the panels also resists harmful UV rays. It is less likely to yellow, crack, chip, split or warp.
Made-To-Measure Shutters
Regardless of what design elements and materials you choose, you can bet that your best option is always our easy-to-install, custom-made interior window shutters that fit your windows’ unique dimensions.
How To Measure For Inside Mount Window Shutters
First, make sure your window is deep enough to hang shutters on the inside of the frame and measure the depth from the glass to the outer edge of your window casing. If your window casing depth is less than 2 ¾”, you’ll need to choose an outside mount.
Next, measure the width left to right in three places: the top, middle, and bottom. Then, measure the height at the top left, center, and top right down to the window sill.
Watch our quick video demonstration:
How To Measure For Outside Mount Window Shutters
Simply repeat the steps for measuring the inside window mount measuring.
For standard L-frame shutters, add 4″ to the width measurement and add 2″ to the height if you have a window sill. Add 4″ to the height if you do not have a sill.
For designer-frame shutters, add 5″ to the width measurement and add 2 ½ ” to the height measurement if you have a window sill. Add 5″ to the height if you do not have a sill.
Watch our quick video demonstration:
So whether your home’s aesthetic is mid-century modern, farmhouse chic, or an eclectic mix of the two, we have an easy-to-install shutter for you. In countless combinations of louver widths, panel configurations, frames and colors, interior window shutters add elegance to any home. Create your home’s custom window treatment design now!
