We thoroughly believe that the best way to discover your design style is to understand all the different pieces, including learning about window treatments like shutters. Shutters are an excellent window treatment option if you are renovating your home or looking to refresh your space. We have highlighted them several times on our blog, including featuring plantation shutters as the most popular window treatment of 2022.
There are several different styles of shutters, with differences ranging from material to function. Learn about the various options to find the style perfect for your home!
Exterior Window Shutters
Shutters were invented to be fixed to the exteriors of homes in England several centuries ago. Their slatted, angled design protected the house from rain and snow while allowing air to circulate through the interior.
Nowadays, exterior shutters are often non-functional and used ornamentally. They are frequently found on colonial homes; some regions, like the warm and humid parts of the U.S., still use functioning exterior shutters.
Interior Window Shutters
Whereas most exterior shutters are purely decorative, most interior shutters are functioning window treatments. If you are looking for a window covering that makes a statement, interior window shutters are a fantastic option.
Most interior shutters feature louvers, which allow you to change the angle of the slats. You can also open or close the entire shutter for more privacy or more view-through. This flexibility allows you to choose how much light you let into your space.
Wooden Shutters
When you think of shutters, you probably picture wooden shutters. When they were first invented, shutters were made of wood, and for a good reason: woods like white cedar, redwood, and cypress are incredibly durable. They can also be weather-resistant when appropriately treated, making them popular materials for exterior shutters.
Faux Wood Shutters
Because of the higher price of wood shutters and growing environmental concerns, many homeowners opt for faux wood when selecting interior shutters. Quality faux wood closely resembles genuine wood and ultimately achieves the same effect. Faux wood can be engineered to withstand specific environments. This makes them a practical choice for those in a humid climate or especially active households.
Traditional vs. Plantation Shutters
Old English windows were significantly smaller than the windows we see in homes today, so the shutters had to be made to fit those sizes. Because of this, traditional shutters are much smaller than plantation shutters, the more modern iteration of the classic window treatment.
This size difference is most noticeable in the size of the slats. Traditional shutters have short, thin slats that sit relatively close together. Plantation shutters offer wider and longer slats. When open, the slats on plantation shutters will have much more space than those on traditional shutters.
Window Shutters at JC Licht
The experts at JC Licht are passionate about ensuring that you have the highest-quality window treatments in your home. This includes helping you choose the perfect style of shutters for your home and lifestyle!
With multiple locations across Chicagoland, we are ready to help you with your home improvement needs, including Benjamin Moore paints, Hunter Douglas window treatments, and more. You can count on JC Licht to Make it Happen! JC Licht is the preferred provider of window shutters and Hunter Douglas products for the Midwest and Chicagoland. Contact us today!
