Questions You Must Ask When Buying Indoor Shutters

Indoor shutters are tremendously popular and are one of the most common types of window treatments on the market today. They compliment both traditional and contemporary decor,offer high resale value and are good insulators. Two of the most popular are Wood Shutters and Faux Shutters.

Faux shutters are 30-40% less than wood shutters and are very moisture resistant. Faux shutters are heavier than wood shutters. Some companies take the mystery out of measuring and installation with excellent instructional videos and support. I’ll touch on some issues that you need to be aware of so your final result will be a beautiful, functional shutter.

Inside vs Outside Mount

First topic is inside vs. outside mount. For inside mounts, check the depth of your window. You need at least a 1-1/2 inch deep opening for a 2-1/2 inch louver the larger the louver the more clearance you’ll need. Next, check for obstructions, crank handles, window and screen locks or center mullions (the structural element which divides adjacent window units). Once you have cleared any obstructions, be aware that your indoor shutters will make it difficult or impossible to remove your screens.

If you have tilt in windows, they won’t tilt in anymore; they will hit the frame. There is one way around this for inside mounts and I will mention it later in this article when I cover frame styles. My experience is, people prefer inside mounts, but don’t despair if you don’t have enough depth, the outside mount is your answer.

Outside mounts attach on to the drywall surface around your opening. If you have wood trim, it can attach onto the trim. Outside mounts are less likely to interfere with lock crank handles, screen removal or tilt in windows.

Frame Styles

There are several different frame styles. Z frame,L frame,and hang strip or direct mount sometimes referred to as “unframed”. These are all used for inside mounts. Z frame is most common, it is a four sided frame that fits along the edge of your opening. Hang strips are two strips, one mounts along the inside left edge and the other to the inside right edge of your opening. Your panels will mount to these hanging strips. Next is direct mount or unframed. With direct mount, there are no frames, you mount your hinged panel directly to the inside of your opening. This mounting choice will not interfere with window or screen locks, screen removal or tilt in windows.

Louver Size

Make sure you have enough depth to accommodate the louver size you choose. The larger the louver, the less your view will be obstructed. 2-1/2 inches and 3-1/2 inches are the most common size.

Few More Features

Just a few more points and you will have the knowledge to choose your indoor wood shutters with confidence. Tilt bars open and close your louvers. It is usually at the center of the shutter panel, but for an added charge it can be hidden. Also if your window is longer than 60 inches, it will need a divider rail. This is a horizontal piece that creates a top and bottom louver section within a single panel. It adds strength to a longer panel. This works great in a bedroom. You can keep the lower section closed maintaining your privacy while opening the upper section to let the light in and have your view.

Hopefully this will give you the knowledge and confidence you need to complete your project. My wife and I love the indoor shutters we have. They add a touch of class to our rustic decor and are easy to operate. Save money by buying online and avoiding markups associated with retail stores. Save even more by measuring and installing yourself. Good Luck…..more info

Click Here For More Information about Indoor Shutters




Have Questions Then ASK THE EXPERT

Related Articles
Must Read Before Ordering Your Panel Track Blind
Secrets Of Seccussful Draperies
Your Must Know Guide To Window Treatments
Everything You Need To Know About Verticals
Wood Blinds vs Faux Wood Blinds…and the winner is
Vertiglide On A Patio Door…here’s my top ten points of interest