Window shutters are practical – providing privacy and reduced noise, chic, and low-maintenance. Plus, there are numerous types of window shutters that will complement your windows and reflect your personal style. Here is a quick overview of some of the options available to help you find the right window shutters for your home.
Type of Design for Window Shutters
Tier on Tier Shutters
These shutters cover the entire window and offer lots of flexibility. You have a bottom and top tier of panels, giving you the freedom to allow light and air while maintaining your privacy. Each panel has its own set of slats that move independently from the other panels. For this reason, they are a popular choice for road-facing windows, bay windows or ground floor rooms.
Cafe Style Shutters
Designed to cover only the bottom section of the windows, these shutters are the ideal choice if you want to prevent passers-by from peering into your room. The top part of the window is usually left bare, which should not pose any issues if you installed them in your living room. A bonus advantage is that they are more affordable than full height designs such as tier on tier shutters.
Tracked Shutters
French, bi-folding or patio doors require a tracking system. By installing a track system, shutters can open independently of any window or door behind them. Tracked shutters can fold to one or both sides and can be fully open, fully closed or angled in between.
Shaped Shutters
Windows aren’t standardized, so if your home has uniquely shaped windows, not all hope is lost. Specially designed shutters can be tailored to fit porthole, angled, arch, octagon or hexagon windows, and basically every type of window you can think of.
Solid Shutters
These shutters for windows are large, single wooden panels that open up on hinges. While they do not offer the same versatility as other options, they are some of the best when it comes to privacy, retaining heat, and preventing noise.
Type of Materials for Window Shutters
Wood Shutters
The elegant and traditional option is wooden shutters. Wood holds a timeless appeal and is impossible to fully replicate. It’s also the most structurally sound material and works great for large windows. Nonetheless, wood is susceptible to moisture and sunlight, so it may require more maintenance than the following two options.
Vinyl Shutters
Perfect for kitchens and bathrooms, vinyl/waterproof shutters are made from ABS plastic that can withstand wet and humid environments. Although the thought of choosing vinyl shutters over wooden shutters may not appeal to some homeowners, you should know that it’s sometimes hard to tell the difference. Quality waterproof shutters can look and even feel like wood.
Composite Shutters
The middle-ground between wooden and vinyl shutters, composite shutters carry many of the advantages of the two. They are made from composite wood material, often recycled wood, and covered with the same material that vinyl shutters are made of. They are thus are sturdier than simple vinyl shutters and can be installed on larger windows. They are also water and weather-resistant and can withstand direct sunlight.