A window shutter is a type of window blinds that is characterized by solid, rigid, and erect window covering panel. It consists of side rungs, and louvers or slats, and top and bottom rails. The rails could be wooden or made of metal.
Shutters fitted with louvers or slats are one of the most attractive ways to screen your interiors from the outside. The louvers could be made from different materials like plastic, metal, and timber. Timber shutters are the most popular type of window shutters. However, shutters made from PVC are currently gaining popularity over wood shutters because of durability. Natural timber could easily suffer defects such as splitting and rotting.
Basically, window shutters could be classified according to their function (exterior shutters and interior shutters), design, and style schemes.
Exterior shutters are predominantly used in areas that experience extreme weather conditions such as high winds and heavy rains. There are the so-called hurricane shutters or storm shutters, which are primarily for protection during the occurrence of hurricanes.
Interior shutter panels are typically hinged on the either side of windows to be completely shut or opened. Their louvers could either be movable or stationary. Movable louvers could be rotated open or close for your light control and privacy concerns.
Window shutters could also be designed as single tier or double tier shutters. Single tier shutters utilized only one panel from top to the bottom of your window. For more versatility, you should opt for double tier shutters. A double tier has one set of shutters at the top portion of the window and one set at the bottom both could be open independently. This style can give you more options when it comes to light control, privacy, and idle viewing of the outside.
According to style, shutters are classified into traditional or colonial shutters and plantation window shutters. The plantation style is considered to be of great demand nowadays because they can easily complement modern architecture and contemporary home furnishings. The basic difference between these two styles is in the size of the louvers. The plantation shutters have thicker and wider louvers compared to the traditional style shutters.
Most homeowners prefer window shutters because they offer privacy and security, unlike most window treatment products. They could also create atmospheric moods as they can diffuse lighting coming from the outside, or can allow sunshine to bathe your bedroom to wake you up in the mornings.
