The Application of Inside Shutters and Why to Use Them Over Other Window Coverings

When you can have any window treatments and coverings you choose – assuming you have a decent budget for your interior, why choose shutters for inside your house? We’ve put together what we believe are some compelling arguments and explain what the best applications for shutters are right here.

A Brief History of Inside Shutters

Shutters have been around for thousands of years. We believe that the Greeks originally used shutters – often made out of stone – so they weighed a fair old bit, mainly to keep their homes cool in summer, and help keep the cold out in winter. They had a lot of stone available, and having shutters complemented Greek architecture. The history of the shutter went on to be recreated from different materials, wood mainly, with slats being introduced for exterior shutters to go along with solid shutters over time. Read about slats, solid and louvered shutters here.

Applications and Advantages of Shutters

So, in this same way shutters have kept their core application for thousands of years. They are still a great window covering for blocking out sunlight, for regulating light within a room, as well as helping adjust the temperature within a room. There is of course a difference between interior and exterior shutters. In the UK most windows open outwards, which is why exterior shutters tend to be decorative only. Whereas inside shutters are functional as well as aesthetically pleasing.

With shutters you can choose whether they open by simply tilting the slats – allowing light in but not swinging them open, or they can be hinged, which does allow them to be fully swung back from the window they are installed on. Opening with slats (unless you have solid shutters – see examples here and whether wood or plastic is best here) enables really good privacy control, helpful in the UK where many of our front rooms are overlooked by the street. Another type of shutters which adds to privacy yet allows loads of light into a room is the cafe style shutter. These are only half, or so, of the window height, so they stop people being able to look in, yet are fully open on the top so loads of light comes in. Often these will be installed in front rooms, bedrooms and flats on upper floors where they are overlooked. Take a look at this excellent example of how stylish the look can be of shutters on a bedroom window.

The slats that adjust on shutters mean you can tilt them slightly (like on blinds) and allow some light in but even when open not allow people to easily look into your rooms. Trying to look through slatted shutters from the outside makes a person stand out like a sore thumb! This helps with security without the need for exterior grilles etc.

If you want to save some space and leave your interior design looking clean and sharp, shutters are also ideal for the job. However nice curtains and fabric blinds are, they will always flap about or hang slightly scrunched up. Not so with inside shutters. These are wooden, and sit flush against the window or wall. Nothing hand about and no flapping! Smart, that’s what we think.

Built to Last

Plantation shutters made from wood are really solid and strong (if you get decent quality ones). They feel really well built, weight in pretty heavily they will not snap easily or break. Who hasn’t pulled down a blind or curtain rail at least once in their lifetime!? With shutters you’d have to be pretty determined to get them off the wall or window frame. That’s because they are wooden and screwed into place. Solid and strong, durable and tough.

Temperature controls, privacy, smart lines, lets not forget great designs as well! Shutters are available in a range of design styles to suit your choice. read more about shutter design here.

So, inside shutters are a great choice for a number of reasons. They might not be the cheapest window covering, but they offer versatility and great qualities which no window covering can match. Don’t forget if you want to order shutters or get a quote to visit our main website House Shutters.