Shutters have been used as an adjustable window covering for centuries. The design is functional and the look is clean. Opened louvers allow ventilation and light penetration; adjusting the louvers varies light down to a full close. Shutters give a stand alone look and can be stained to add warmth to an office, den or family room. If additional fabrics treatments are desired then valances, draperies or swags can be added.

Durability, low maintenance and re-imbursement of the purchase price at the time of appraisal and resale are consistent advantages that make shutters the number one choice for many home owners.

CUSTOM BUILT

Shutters are custom built for each window and have a high quality finish. Shutter companies will supply a finished sample so you can see the quality of the construction and finish.

The single most important factor in purchasing shutters is the reliability of the shutter company. They must be highly service and support oriented and easily accessible. They need to be ready to answer all questions concerning your project.

QUALITY MATERIAL

Basswood is the most preferable wood for building shutters because it is light weight but very strong. It is one of the straightest of hardwoods and has a fine uniform surface texture.

Concerning louver tension over time, it is important to use nylon pins to support the louvers. Wood pins swell with moisture and the nylon’s smooth functioning helps avoid problems with the tension screw system.

OPTIONS

One great option that does not cost extra is the divider rail, which is usually put at the center of a shutter panel. This allows you to control the louvers above and below the divider with separate tilt rods. In light sensitive areas with computers or TV’s and in bedrooms where privacy is needed you can close the bottom louvers and get light through the top. This is especially effective in areas where there are tall windows.

SLIDING PATIO DOORS AND FRENCH DOORS

The standard sliding door shutter with panels by-folding to the left and right will stack the shutter panels against the walls. More than 96” wide requires posts to be added to support panels, but the best way is to order your shutters with a by-pass track system at the top. This allows two or more panels to slide back and forth in front of each other while hanging from steel tracks. The housing around the panels, with the added trim and cornice, make this the most desired option for sliding doors. On French doors an outside mount frame allows the shutter to become part of the door. This is an excellent option in rooms where shutters are on other windows. Lever door handles can be done with a lever handle cut out.

ARCHES AND SHAPES

Wood shutter panels can be made to fit any window opening and are an ideal application for arch top windows. An arch with movable louvers creates a Sun Burst. This is a stunning way to finish any arch top window. Other shapes that are done effectively are the ovals, circles, octagons and slant tops.

FOUR FRAME OPTIONS

The outside mount frame is the traditional way to put up shutter panels because it works on almost all windows and is the easiest to install. Outside wall mount is the most trouble free to operate.

When needed, a boxout frame can be installed directly on your existing window casings. It can also be used when extra projection is needed for larger louvers.

Inside mount frames are used only when outside mounts are not possible. This is done to put the shutter inside the window opening and it is trimmed in the front to eliminate any light gaps created by out of square windows.

The Z-frame is available for mounting shutters inside a window while also providing a trim on the wall outside the window frame.

CONCLUSION

Time honored, versatile in design applications while conforming to architectural elements, functional, long lasting while requiring little maintenance: Is it any wonder that wood shutters are a desired and best selling window treatment?

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* Email Jon for a quote at jon@windowcoveringsplus.com