Enter the World of Window Shutters
If you’ve spent any time browsing our site, you probably have noticed the wide range of window covering options we have on offer. We know, we know, it can be a bit overwhelming to go through, especially when you’re not even sure what you want! This time on the Budget Blinds of Tempe & Central Phoenix blog we are going to look at one of the larger family of products we offer: window shutters.
Window Shutters, More than You Might Think
Take a look at our window shutters page and you’ll see six different styles of shutters including wood, composite, plantation, interior, and exterior shutters. While the untrained eye might not pick up on the subtle differences in style and use between the different types, this blog will give you a nice overview of each of our main types of shutters. With that knowledge you will be better equipped to plan and shop for your window shutters.
So, what are window shutters as a whole? Window shutters are a window covering that is solid, made from a sturdy frame with vertical stiles (the solid sections of wood that the slats sit in) and horizontal rails (the top and bottom solid pieces.) The stiles and rails don’t move, they keep everything held together, providing structure and form.
Inside the rails and stiles are the louvers or slats. These are the movable pieces of wood that allow the light to be blocked out or let in, they are operable using a push rod that is either in the idle of the slats or hidden inside the stiles.
Let’s take a look at the different styles we offer and what makes them each unique. For some it’s simply the material they are made from while others have a specific style or purpose.
Wood Shutters
Like it says on the tin, wood shutters are simply any of our style of shutters made from wood. They are texture-rich and use a variety of stains and finishes. Budget Blinds of Tempe & Central Phoenix uses the highest-grade hardwoods from North American certified forests to help conserve the environment. Wood shutters are a great option for most windows, they can be customized to fit any shape and are available in three louver/slat sizes (2 ½”, 3 ½”, and 4 ½”).
Composite Shutters
Composite shutters offer impressive durability, standing up to intense humidity (not that that’s a usual problem for us here in Tempe and Central Phoenix) but also resisting fading and cracking. Whether in hot kitchens or placed in bathrooms (much more humidity in there you know!) they can stand up to the ins and outs of daily sun exposure. Like the wood variant, composite shutters have the same three sizes but also are an affordable alternative to the real wood shutters.
Plantation Shutters
Now we’re looking at actual style differences. Plantation shutters evoke the most popular style of shutters during the 1800s in the southern U.S. Using the highest quality North American hardwoods, plantation shutters also have a wide range of finishes to ensure you find the perfect shade and color for your home. You can use our plantation style window shutters on French and sliding glass doors thanks to a bi-fold track design that allows them to hinge and fold.
Interior Shutters
Interior shutters are… okay you don’t need us to explain these do you? They are exactly what you imagine, shutters on the inside of the house that feature classic style, provide privacy, and keep the sun out. Whether using real hardwoods or the long lasting composite materials, these interiors blinds will help keep your energy bills lower year-round.
Exterior Shutters
There are plenty of spaces where a good set of shutters can amplify your home, not just outside the window. If you have a great patio or deck area, adding durable exterior shutters can create a shaded space for all your outdoor living (a necessity in Arizona!) They can also provide some privacy if you’d rather your neighbors not be able to stare over the wall at you while you enjoy your morning coffee.
If you have any questions, give us a call, Ken is happy to help! With a free in-home consultation, you can find the exact right options for you, window shutters, blinds or whatever else and they will all be professionally installed by local business owners and backed by a national company.
