Shutter BoysPlantation shutters in Indianapolis
Homes in Indianapolis
Indianapolis's 401,428 homes are a mix: 59% detached houses, 32% apartments or units in buildings of two or more homes and 8% townhouses and other attached houses.
The biggest building period was 1950 to 1979, which accounts for 38% of homes standing today; 18% are from 2000 or later. The median home dates from 1973. 56% of homes are lived in by their owners.
Of the 6 Indiana cities we have census figures for, Indianapolis has some of the newest homes and the second-highest share of apartments. In nearby Carmel, 13 miles away, 22% of homes were built before 1980, so Indianapolis's windows are on the whole older. Nationally, Indianapolis's homes are older than those in 67% of the 375 US cities we have census figures for.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020–2024. Estimates carry margins of error.
Out-of-square openings
With 59% of homes built before 1980, many openings have had decades to settle. Measure each one's width at the top, middle and bottom, and both diagonals. If the diagonals differ by more than about ¼ inch, add a mounting frame in the designer, or choose an outside mount so the shutter covers the uneven edges.
Replacement windows
38% of homes went up between 1950 and 1979, and most of them have had their original windows replaced since. A replacement window often sits further into or out of the wall than the old one, so the depth you have for an inside mount may differ from window to window in the same house. Measure every opening rather than copying one.
Plaster walls and deep casings
22% of homes date from before 1950, when walls were plaster on lath and windows sat in deep wood casings. Plaster cracks if you drive screws carelessly: drill a pilot hole, use fixings made for plaster, and fix into the casing or the framing behind it. A deep casing is good news for an inside mount; measure its depth before you choose a louver size.
Indianapolis weather and your shutters
At Indianapolis SE SIDE, IN (6 mi away), July averages a high of 83.7°F and January a low of 18.9°F. Average lows sit at or below freezing from December to March.
About 13 days a year reach 90°F, 120 nights fall to freezing and 41.4 inches of precipitation falls, spread fairly evenly through the year.
That's more freezing nights than in 82% of the 381 US cities we have climate normals for.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, Indianapolis SE SIDE, IN (temperature) and Indianapolis ZOO, IN (precipitation, 2 mi away).
Monthly figures
| Month | Average high | Average low | Precipitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 34.2°F | 18.9°F | 3.3 in |
| Feb | 39.1°F | 21.7°F | 2.2 in |
| Mar | 49.7°F | 30.5°F | 3.4 in |
| Apr | 61.9°F | 41.3°F | 3.8 in |
| May | 72.3°F | 52.4°F | 4.4 in |
| Jun | 80.9°F | 61.6°F | 5 in |
| Jul | 83.7°F | 64.4°F | 4.2 in |
| Aug | 82.6°F | 62.6°F | 2.6 in |
| Sep | 76.8°F | 55.1°F | 3.1 in |
| Oct | 64.6°F | 43.5°F | 3.1 in |
| Nov | 50.6°F | 32.7°F | 3.4 in |
| Dec | 39.2°F | 24.2°F | 2.9 in |
Cold winters
With 120 freezing nights a year, warm room air meets cold glass for months. Shutters closed tight overnight hold that air against the window, so condensation can collect on the sill: tilt the louvers open in the morning, and wipe the sill on windows that often run wet.
Fitting them in Indianapolis
Shutter Boys shutters are made for you to fit yourself: an inside or outside mount takes a drill, a level and our step-by-step guide. If you'd rather hire someone, a finish carpenter or blinds installer can fit them; ask on your quote and we'll tell you if we know one near you. You arrange and pay the installer directly.
Price your windows
Add each window, pick your options and send it to us. We check the sizes and reply with your quote.