All About Window Shutters
Window shutters are both a beautiful and practical addition to the interior or the exterior of your home. Those designed to be window treatments inside your home offer privacy and style and can complement any room décor, while those built for the outside of your home can create a finished look and enhance your homes curb appeal. Specialized exterior shutters, such as hurricane shutters, offer important protection to a homes windows during hurricanes and hurricane-force winds.
What are the different kinds of window shutters?Window shutters used as window treatments for the rooms inside your home come in many different styles. Most types are made from wood or faux wood, and they come in different colors to complement the design of your room. Common interior types available on eBay include the following:
- Plantation style: One of the most common interior wood shutters, plantation shutters feature louvered slats that tilt to allow or block light.
- Shaker style: These solid-paneled wood shutters have clean, simple lines and are hinged to close completely when you want to block out the sun.
- Cafe style: Easily identifiable, these wood shutters cover the bottom half of a window and are louvered to allow in light.
When measuring for interior shutters, measure the length and width of the window frame in which they will be hung. Be sure to measure the depth of the window frame as well to ensure the shutters will hang flush on the wall. You may need to round measurements up or down depending on the manufacturers measuring guidelines. Exterior shutters have some additional wiggle room for the size. They can be larger than the window frame. Exterior shutters are most commonly used in storm-prone regions.
Do shutters insulate your home?Shutters that are properly installed can help to insulate your home by reducing heat loss during the winter and by reducing incoming heat during the summer. Shutters offer shade to reduce the amount of UV coming into a home, which can help to prevent your furniture from fading. Exterior shutters installed on the outside of your home are also a good option for insulating against cold air and harsh winter conditions.
Can shutters be painted?They can be painted using several different methods, including brush painting, spray painting, and air spray painting. They can be painted in a bright accent color or in a neutral way.