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Proper Shutters

An architectural detail that won't go unnoticed, shutters are a critical element to consider when designing your new home.

June 2, 2022

Text: C. Brandon Ingram

When we think of those make-or-break details that can give a house stylistic authenticity, there are some that immediately come to mind: columns, cornices, window types, and exterior materials. Those decisions can be the heavy hitters of establishing architectural correctness. But it could also be argued that shutters are truly the unsung heroes of the house.

A pure expression of form following function, operable shutters are historically called on for quite specific functions: They provide security and protection for the house and its contents, including blocking out the sun’s UV rays that could damage furniture; they create privacy from passersby, often utilizing louvers to control the desired level of transparency; and they can provide an extra layer of insulation.

Although today we rarely rely on them for their originally intended purposes, shutters are still a critical element to consider when designing and building a new house. Here are few simple guidelines to consider to ensure that your shutters are architecturally and aesthetically complementary to your home.

Shutter Style

• Size is critical. Each shutter should be exactly one half of the width of the window or opening that it flanks and its exact height. For example, a 36″×60″ window should have shutters that are each 18″×60″. For a window smaller than 24″, you may consider using one single shutter instead of a pair.

• Hardware creates authenticity. Shutter dogs, which hold shutters in their open position, are like jewelry for your home. The wide variety of historically precedented styles, including “S”-shape, propeller, and rat-tail variations, gives the opportunity to really dial up the detail. And don’t forget real hinges, which allow the shutters to open and close. They hold the shutter off the face of the house, providing an extra layer of visual depth.

• Consider the style. More traditional houses almost always call for either louvered or paneled shutters, or a combination thereof. Colonial varieties often use special cut out designs, which can be quite charming. Rustic cottages, bungalows, and craftsman houses are the right place for more casual board-and-batten shutters.

• Not all windows are created equal. Shutters should only be used on windows and openings that would be fully covered when the shutters are in their closed position; for that reason, large groups of windows should never have single pairs of shutters. And it’s not necessary to place shutters on windows underneath a porch.

• Color makes it yours. The right shutter color can have a tremendous impact on the feel of a house and reflects its owners’ personality. While reserved neutrals and Charleston greens are sophisticated and timeless, use more playful, vibrant colors to add more charm. Quiet, low-contrast tonal colors can also be fresh and transitional.

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