Window shutters come in different styles, but determining the right style that works for your home needs some thought. You want to consider the architecture of your home as it will help give you some clues on which shutter suits your home. You will find that a shutter-style for a colonial home design is different from a farmhouse shutter. Here, we look at the different types of window shutters and the various house designs, and their suitable shutter styles.
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Shutter Styles
To help you determine what window shutter style or design will work for you, you need to look at the different styles available. Whether you want a classic look or that rustic charm, there are various styles of shutters you can choose from. The basic styles are louver, panel, Board-and-Batten, and Bermuda or Bahamas shutters. Sometimes, you may find a style that features a combination of shutter designs such as panel and louver.
Panel shutters are a time-tested classic – nothing says tradition like panel window shutters such as the raised panels. These shutters are known for their insulative properties and are common in house styles built in colder climates where you need the shutters for functional purposes. They insulate the windows properly ensuring that you don’t experience air leaks when it’s very cold. They also help protect the home’s interior from damaging UV light.
Louver shutters are common in homes built in warmer or more temperate climates as they provide ventilation. If they are operable, they are able to close out the sun, rain, and cold. Louvers are those little slats that open and close within operable shutters. In fixed louver shutters, the slats remain at a fixed angle.
Board-and-batten is considered a more primitive design. Their design originates from artisans who made louver and panel shutters. The design features a row of boards or planks aligned lengthwise together with battens or connector planks that run horizontally at the top as well as the bottom. These shutters look right in homes on cottages and farmhouses, but they can still fit many other styles.
Also called Bermuda, Bahama shutters are unique as they open outwards such as an awning. Bahama shutters feature slats as with fixed louvers but are connected and hinged at the top part of the window rather than the sides. If you want to block light whilst allowing a breeze, you can choose these shutters. The slat widths and spacing may vary from one Bahama design to another and they either come with or without a center bar dividing the top and bottom. You may find these shutters in tropical homes, coastal homes, and beach houses.
Shutter Designs Based On House Styles
To help further narrow down on the type of window shutter you need to install, you may want to consider the house style of your home. Often, different house styles or architectural designs will fit different shutters.
Shutters for Farmhouse Home Style
The farmhouse is a classic and common home style. Though not technically an architectural style, farmhouse style is a popular overall look of a home. It includes features such as a metal roof, a large porch, reclaimed materials like exposed beams picked from barns, simple clean lines, and a rustic feel. If your home brings out the farmhouse style, you may want to choose the board-and-batten window shutters.
Additionally, you may choose panel shutters, especially flat panels as they make a good choice for farmhouse styles.
Shutter Styles for Colonial Home Designs
The Colonial house style is a popular design with many appearances and variations. Colonial houses are pretty boxy meaning they feature square or rectangular layouts and are very symmetrical. The houses tend to feature a centered front door and windows on either side. They also have second-story windows that are located directly above the door. The houses also have first-floor windows.
Without shutters, you may find Colonial design homes look almost naked. Since the inspiration of the themes of these houses came from the colonial times during which time the shutters were mainly for functional purposes, many homeowners today choose the shutters based on functionality.
The first-floor windows of the homes historically had panel shutters to provide privacy and protect the interior from weather, intruders, and pests. The second floor had louver shutters since heat tends to rise, so there was a need for ventilation. Louver shutters helped provide ventilation for the homes. Sometimes, you would find panel shutters on booth floors. Today, it is not uncommon to find both variations in use for Colonia home styles.
Shutters for Victorian House Styles
Featuring intricate details, Victorian homes are easy to recognize. They feature key design elements like deep entry porches, ornate trim, and many gabled roofs. These homes also feature octagonal and round towers and complex asymmetrical shapes. Victorian homes also come in many colors to help highlight the unique accents and fine millwork.
When it comes to installing window shutters for Victorian houses, the design tends to elaborate on the details. The best shutter styles for these homes are flat panel shutters ideal for installation if you want something with enough details whilst not distracting the rest of the architecture. Another popular shutter style for Victorian homes is the operable louvers because of their functionality. Sometimes, you may find a combination style shutter that features both panel and louver.
Shutters for French Country Home Style
French Country houses tend to feature a natural, unpainted exterior that is made of light-colored stone or brick. These homes also feature clay roof tiles perched on a tall, hipped roof. With these homes, there is an emphasis on arched windows, symmetry, and heavy stone railings. Often, depending on the house’s layout, you may install panel shutters or board-and-batten window shutters. Again, for these home styles, you can have radius-top shutters often made in other styles but Bahama shutters.
As you can see, there are various things to consider when choosing a window shutter for your home. Whether it’s vinyl, aluminum, or wood material shutters, you want to ensure that they serve their purpose and rhyme with the existing home style or design.