There’s something especially rewarding about a home renovation of any kind, even if it’s just to incorporate a couple of custom finishes that add a fresh and unique appearance. For instance, a seemingly subtle element that can actually make a bold statement in any room or create the perfect touch for your home’s exterior is the right shutter style for your windows.
Whether practical or purely for show, carefully crafted shutters are functional window coverings or decorative accents composed of a frame mounted with panels or louvers.
There are several types of window shutters available, depending on your personal taste.
Here are three of the basic ones you might choose from to enhance your next home renovation:
- Louver shutters. Easily the most popular type of window shutters among home improvement experts, louver shutters are also known as “plantation” shutters. For hundreds of years, louver style shutters have been a common feature of plantation and farm kitchens; they easily admit light and air but keep out rain, direct sunlight, and even noise. Usually made of aluminum, metal, wood or glass, louver shutters have slats that rotate in an open-close action to optimize light and ventilation.
- Classic Panel Shutters. If you’re going for a timeless look, classic panel shutters are a good feature to include in a home renovation project. They come in two varieties: the more traditional, two-rectangle type and the three-panel design. Classic panel shutters are perfect for filtering night light, because they can be left open during the daytime and closed in the evenings.
- Raised Panel Shutters. This shutter variety has a dignified, formal look that can otherwise be customized to fit the overall design of your home. Like the classic panel shutter, a raised panel shutter has the same rectangular design, but also features a textured panel above the inset of the main panel.
An important tip before you shop for window shutters: make sure you go for the right size. Measuring, selecting, and installing shutters can be a challenging task. Get advice and help from home improvement professionals; better yet, let them create and install custom shutters as part of your overall home renovation project. Painted a striking and complementary color, custom shutters bring a winning look to almost any Florida home—and it’s one that never goes out of style.
When you sit down with your home renovation specialist to plan the details and final flourishes, don’t shut out the shutters!
Greg Nelson
Greg Nelson is the owner of Nelson Construction & Renovations Inc. He is a Florida State Certified Building Contractor, creating artistry in all areas of design and construction projects. He is a musician, and artist. A husband and father, Greg appreciates all the wonderful elements of family life.
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