Are you interested in adding shutters to your windows in order to improve your home’s curb appeal? In this guest post, landscape architect Ted Cleary gives us tips on how to do it right. Ted writes:
“Why do you love your older home? I’d venture to guess that it’s all about the charming details that give it away as a house that was built 50, 60, 70 years ago. You don’t have to be an architect to appreciate the subtleties that, taken as a whole, exude a richness that’s often absent with more contemporary materials. Back in the day, a house with true-divided-light windows, real lap siding (made of 3/4” thick planks, as opposed to thin cement board siding), and chunky, substantial trimwork was the norm, and the deeper shadowlines and sense of craftsmanship simply presented a more comforting and engaging image. Home design was as much about creating a pattern of light and shadow as it was about creating comfort. In future blog posts we’ll discuss all these different aspects, but today I want to highlight one seemingly minor detail that makes or breaks that perception of ‘genuineness’: the proper use of window shutters. .
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“Granted, most of our mid-century modest homes aren’t in the same category as historically designated ones built a hundred years ago. And for some styles such as Arts & Crafts Bungalows, or Mid-Century Modern, shutters are totally inappropriate. But if you happen to own the sort of Neo-Colonial or Cape Cod revival styles Royal Barry Wills popularized (or, more likely, some kind of modest hybrid cobbled together by a ‘merchant builder’), then they are likely just the right thing to dress up your windows, and your house will thank you for lavishing the same kind of attention to detail on it. Cheap shutters, which are so common that many people don’t even question the look, can give a flat, pasted-on appearance; authentic ones can make all the difference.
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“Of the several shutter styles, board & batten is probably the easiest to construct for a D-I-Yer [see example to the right of a properly hung set of authentic shutters]. Notice how each shutter is exactly one-half the width of the window; this is the first cardinal rule to follow, regardless of how wide the window is. The whole idea is that you must give the believable appearance that they could actually be closed over to protect against sun, storms, or cold; therefore they should always be mounted on the side window trim rather than against the outside edges of it. Notice also that the length is exactly that of its particular window, rather than whatever standard length happened to be available from the big-box store; let’s call that the second cardinal rule. (By contrast, see the photo I snapped of one of my favorite “don’t try this at home” examples from a rental house in my city.) By attaching with actual hinges, either working or simulated, the shutters will be slightly folded back against the wall; again, giving a greater sense of depth than the “wallpapered-on” fake ones (as well as letting air behind them to avoid rot). Pivoting tie-backs (“dogs”) are attached to the wall and hold them from swinging in the breeze. Ideally, you should also have some sort of slide bolt that would keep them latched, if closed. While the cost of such accessories can certainly add up, if you’re serious about the details they are worth the investment, and available from numerous sources such as this one.
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“Perhaps the most commonly used shutter style is louvered. If that’s the one you choose, you should look for well-made versions of wood or high-quality synthetic material (not the cheap vinyl clip-to-the-wall version). You want them to last many decades; I’d recommend two coats of primer followed with your preferred color of topcoat. With louvers, a paint sprayer will avoid a whole lot of frustration com-pared to trying to get a paint brush into all the nooks and crannies. Consider adding a tilt-rod [as in photo below] so that they look like they could actually operate just like “plantation shutters” on the inside of your home, and mount them opposite to the way the louvers are typically tilted: think about it, if most fake louvered shutters were actually closed in a storm, the louvers would pour water right down onto the window instead of shedding it away!
..“A third style are paneled shutters, which can look quite elegant, as with reader David Bramblette’s home [in photo below]. Along with faithfully following all the other shutter ‘rules’, his wonderfully mimic the panelling in the front door. (The circular detailing inside the squares, which I’m guessing David omitted for simplicity as he made them himself, is actually something I prefer; instead of being a slavish copy of the front door, they instead echo it..
“So…..how to handle the inevitable problem where some windows are double-wide? To flank them with shutters (even though it’s often done) makes for an odd look. You could construct shutters that look obviously as though they’re double-folded, similar to an accordion door, that would theoretically cover all the windows if closed. It’s a tough call, but my personal advice is to simply avoid shutters completely, with double- (and certainly triple-) wide window units, or in a case where there’s just no wall space at all on both sides of the window. Step back and consider the overall composition of the windows in the facade and the effect of which ones will have shutters and which may not, in terms of visual balance. (You may want to avoid shuttering the oddball out-of-place window to avoid drawing attention to itself, rather than dutifully mounting shutters at every window.) If you have that rare case of a home with a Caribbean or South Florida flavor, you might consider louvered Bermuda shutters that are hinged at the top, or consider if other options for dressing up the windows (planter boxes; fixed awnings; paint color choice; slightly different surrounding trimwork) are suitable or even necessary for your style of home.
Next month: some landscape design principles for the front yard of the ubiquitous Ranch.”
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Ted Cleary, ASLA, is principal of Studio Cleary Landscape Architecture. His guest blogs appear every month, on all things related to landscaping, exteriors, and curb appeal for Mid-Century Modest and Modern homes.
Samantha says
Hello,
I have been eyeing shutters for months and I just can’t seem to figure out the right size and style! SEND HELP! We live in an old family home that was built over 100 years ago. We recently replaced all the windows and painted and front door black. I want to add black shutters but I cannot decide if we should measure the height of just the glass window (70 inches) or the height of the window plus the flashing (74 inches). I am also torn on this large bottom window. I know you said do not put shutters on a window that big, but wouldn’t it look off if the top windows have shutters and the large triple window on bottom does not? I know you said to measure for half the window for the width of the shutters but what can I do with a window that is 6 feet long!?!
Doug Goodman says
We have a federal style, red brick, two-story house. The front porch is a half circle with two columns. There are two 83” wide windows, top and bottom, on each side of the porch. The windows now have aluminum awnings which are in bad shape. We are having difficulty finding awnings in our area. Would it be okay to use shutters? Also, black or white?
Pam Kueber says
83″ is quite wide for shutters. Have you checked all the sources in this story for awnings: https://retrorenovation.com/2017/05/08/12-places-buy-aluminum-awnings-including-three-companies-business-since-1946-1947-1948-revisited/
Alternatively: 2″ aluminum blinds inside the windows….?
Ingrid says
I really wish that I could find more info and examples of mid century shutters. We’re going to take out 1960 ranch house back to its roots and get rid of the black shutters and do something authentic. I live in Lodi CA and there are SO many awesome houses here that still look very mid century and some with ornate shutters that I want to copy. I dont know what to call this kind of shutter thats like a frame with a shape inside, and some are flat plywood with a cut out. Every time I Google shutters I see the kind of louvered shutters. I want to see more of the cute decorative type shutters.
Ecfinn says
We are on the same wave-length. I am also looking for mid-century style shutters. Our ranch has been updated with the charm removed…along with any indication of its style. I wish I could see the type/style shutters you have in your neighborhood. You could probably hire a carpenter to mimic the shutters you like.
Timberlane says
Send us a picture and we can build them for you! Timberlane Shutters are always custom builds, and we have a lot of experience creating replicas. Check out our website to learn more; we’d be happy to help!
Also, great points in this post! Functional, properly sized shutters really do make a huge difference to a home’s curb appeal.
Rob says
We recently moved into an all brick ranch. The brick is not our favorite color, but still like the style. We want to give the front a facelift. I as thinking adding shutters next to Windows and maybe even paint garage door. Also adding updated larger lights. Can I get some suggested colors for the shutters? Maybe even get the color on my picture to see.
Thanks
Robb
Emily says
I am painting the exterior of our ranch home in CA & would love to send a picture of our windows for a recommendation on new shutters! We have old wood ones that need replacing. The windows are a combination of casement style and a very tall & wide window that I’m not sure what to do with.
Angie says
look at picture Posted by: pam kueber • June 13, 2010 what color is door and shutters
pam kueber says
I don’t know the answer to this one, Angie. Ted submitted the photos…
susan kovac says
Hey, Gavin! Can I send you a picture of our house to get your opinion please?
Juli R. says
Moved into a 70s ranch style home. The shutters are non-operable, black plastic. I love the European (specifically, Italian) solid, heavy wood “planks” (?) that are on rails and slide over the outside of the windows in the wintertime. I didn’t think I could pull that off here, but this article gave me some ideas (thank you!)..I think maybe operable board and batten shutters might get me close to what I like.
Rachel Vann says
Thanks for this blog post! In the past, I have assumed that I would probably get rid of my shutters when I redo the outside of my house since I have double hung windows, but I am also interested in considering the folding shutter….do you have any pictures of folding shutters on double hung windows you like? Thanks!
lynn says
My house is a ranch or a rambler. The lower half of the front is a red brick and the siding is an almond, front door is a beautiful oak door which I don’t think I’d want to paint. The roof are soft blended colors of greens, soft redish tones and tan. Before siding the top half of the the house was white, once with black shutters and once with a hunter green. Now that it’s almond I am trying to decide to leave off the shutters or paint them a new color. Sure would appreciate your opinion. We do have some really nice landscaping in front of the house.
Thank you
Ellin Johnson says
I need info about shutters on a ranch with casement windows.