I was contacted by an interior designer who wanted some help installing her own wood shutters recently. The house had only brick exterior walls but still required privacy and light control. The current blinds offered from various stores looked cheap and did nothing other than provide light control while providing no privacy whatsoever. They only covered part of the window and created shadows whenever someone opened them fully. She wanted something custom tailored to fit the architecture of this particular home’s windows yet offer excellent light control and maximum privacy. After searching high and low she found me, which put us both onto a mission of finding the perfect solution for this client’s project. I went back through the hundreds of pictures I took during my research and narrowed down our options until we came across the exact style and size shutters that would perfectly fit these unique architectural details.
California shutters come in many different styles like plantation shutters, roller shades/blinds made from cloth, aluminum panels, etc. Each style offers varying benefits and drawbacks depending on each individual window type. As an example, traditional wooden shutters will be heavy weight and therefore take longer to paint a wall and install. On the contrary, vinyl shutters are lighter weight and easier to work with. However, they aren’t ideal for homes without concrete foundations due to durability concerns. If your foundation isn’t strong enough then you can use metal frames instead. Metal shutters come in several sizes starting with small sizes for bay windows and increasing to full length rollovers suitable for larger double hung windows. These shutters are extremely durable and are available in galvanized steel, stainless steel, powder coated finishes, etc..
If choosing shutters that rely on hardware for proper operation, consider sliding patio doors since the frame structure supports the glass rather than relying upon hinges. Sliding door designs often incorporate decorative hardware such as handles and locksets. Another consideration includes opening widths; wider openings that allow for outdoor seating should include additional clearance space along the bottom edge in order to allow air circulation underneath. Aesthetically speaking, try to avoid putting shutters on areas surrounding picture windows and mirrors because curtains block views and reflections. For most homeowners, adding shutters can improve curb appeal and increase property value.