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Need to add a section about aligning false permanent exterior non-hinged shutters that do not exactly match the window height.
Also, slats up vs slats down.
Read on – it’s there.
Hello. We have a home in a historical district with old wooden one inch shutters.
They are not energy efficient and we want to know if we should buy 2.5 inch wooden shutters or faux 2.5 inch wooden shutters ? We had wood on our last home and they were great but very expensive and you can’t tell them apart unless up very close or touch one. What would you buy ? Will the historical district organization ever tell me which to buy as long it keeps the basic historical look 1928 ? Please reply as I respect your opinion. Best Regards
Hi Johnny
Shutters help conserve energy if they are working shutters and are closed during the winter. The louvers must also be closed tightly. For a 1928 house I would recommend a shutter with a cut-out. They can be half paneled or louvered but should have a cut-out. Your HPC probably doesn’t have a clue – unfortunately.
right , but in a cold climate,. who is going to open a sealed window or storm on a bitter day to reach outside to close cosmetic panel shutters?.. Purely appearance . the originals in cold climates did zilch to keep out the cold, they are louvered.. they protect the glass or provide shade….If you want 19th century heat insulation then shutters in embrasures, if your house is so fitted with thick walls.. I had such a greek revival and when the shutter banks, all solid pine, were closed and fastened on a nasty New England night , even with modern glazing it made a difference.. Open the window to close the exterior ones hmm,,,,, no., However , the best heat preservers then and now, are thick drapes..
agreed!
You did a color job layout for us earlier this year. We are now in the process of choosing wooden shutters to replace the fake aluminum shutters that were nailed to the house in 1953. Our home was built in 1865 and we now have approval by the Historical Architectural Review Board to restore the original porch with the removal of the asbestos tiling and new wood shutter along with restoring the corbels. Based on your blog, it appears that the louvered shutters shown in the 1927 picture we sent may have been a later addition., What would you suggest as the appropriate types of shutters for our first and second floors. And would there have been shutters on the third floor stained glass window area?
Hi Joanne – For me to check out your house I would need you to reply to one of my emails with the project number in the subject line. However for an 1865 house you should have operable louvered shutters. No shutters on stained glass windows though.
This is a great educational piece. I also have a ranch with a long southern front porch. It has Centered door, 2 sets of sash windows on each side and shutters would certainly add character. It is not a historical house, but it actually looks like it needs something. I am assuming panel shutters would be a safe bet, or louvered because it is in the south. But I do love board and batten for the rustic appearance. Do you think it matters?
Thank you,
Amy
Hi – for a ranch house any style shutter would work.
Loving the website. I’ve read your posts on shutters and storm windows, and I’m wondering, were these used in combination? Seems like, broadly speaking, shutters were functionally replaced by glass windows and interior window coverings over the centuries—except for extra weather insulation. So were storm windows developed after shutters were no longer always needed, for newer houses that didn’t have shutters? Thanks!
Great question. Shutters came first, then glass with shutters for protection and privacy. Louvers during the late 1700’s were for ventilation while keeping out the sun. Storm windows came about during the 18th century as did louvered shutters. Storm windows are not meant to replace shutters.
I’d like to repaint my shutters, but I’m not sure what color to pick. We have a one story ranch with tan vinyl siding and a grey roof. I’m thinking black for the shutter colors. Do you think that’s a good idea?
Keith of https://www.moversfortwayne.com
You can’t go wrong with black.
I just bought a little log cabin. It’s about 700 square feet. It is brown and I was wondering what color shutters I should put on the cabin, the cabin was built in 1940.
Board and batten and paint them benjamin moore essex green.
Already have the exterior louvered shutters on each side of entrance door on a townhouse which are the original close to 35 years. Want to add louvered shutters to a double window same front entrance. Would it really matter if the slats are slightly a different size (smaller). Color is “bronze” that looks like a deep color grey.
Please give me advise
It would be better if you emailed me with a photo. I would say they should be the same size.
Good morning,
I live in a 1917 Brick Prairie-style four square in the midwest USA. It had vinyl shutters when I moved in. Am I correct that my house is not meant to have shutters? It is very common in my area to have vinyl shutters on foursquares.
My web guy is still working on this page. It will be sorted in date order – however in the meantime you can search manually
https://www.oldhouseguy.com/catalogs/
Prairie and Foursquare did not or rarely had shutters but check out the catalogs.
I have a two story colonial that we are in the process of residing. The top floor is siding in a dark grey and the lower level is white painted brick. There are 4 sets of 2 windows upstairs and downstairs there are two sets of long windows (livingroom/diningroom). The windows are all trimmed in white. I thought that I wanted shutters on all the front windows but now I am thinking of only putting them on the first floor, against the white painted brick.
I would like your thoughts of putting shutters on all, or just first floor. I don’t recall seeing shutters on one level only, especially a traditional colonial with a straight front.
This is a question that should be emailed to me with a photo. I would shutter all windows.
It is common to only shutter the upper floor too, especially on newer homes and colonials from the 1920s. You can never get shutters that look right for the long windows.
I am in the midst of stripping and painting my shutters. Along with that I am planning on painting the window sashes. I would like to go with a red for both of these but am having a hard time finding the correct red color. Most seem to bright red and the first attempt doesn’t look great. Is there a red color that is traditional. Our house is a colonial revival built in the 1920s. Last question is what paint sheen is appropriate for shutters?
Hi Joe
Use gloss paint for shutters. As for red try Benjamin Moore Classic Burgundy or Sherwin Williams Rookwood Red which has a bit of brown in it.
Our house is over 100 years old. The first floor on the front of the house has the original shutters. Would it look right if be put new vinyl where they are missing?
If you can’t do it right don’t do it at all.
Hello, I have a newly remodeled Craftsman-style house with large casement windows. The frame of the windows (and inside of the flat casing) is 58.5” tall by 31.5” wide. I intend to install single framed board and batten shutters next to each of the windows. How large should the shutters be? I assume they should overlap the casing opening but not sure by how much. Also, it’s not a historic house—should I use hinges to install them or just screw them in place. Thanks much for the advice.
Hi – first of all you shouldn’t have shutters on casement windows. This is mostly because in the US the windows open outwards so how would you be able to close the shutters? Not that you are going to ever close your shutters but really you shouldn’t use them. In Europe the windows open inward so they can use shutters.
A double hung window has what is called a blind stop around the perimeter of the window. (refer to diagram on this page to see blind stop https://www.oldhouseguy.com/window-designs/) Storm windows and shutters both fit into the casing and rest on this blind stop. The shutters then fill the entire area inside the window casing. To measure you would measure the area from the inside of one side of the casing to the other.
Casement windows do not have a blind stop but the area would still be between the casing. Additionally you need to use hinges for the right look otherwise they will just look flat. I still do not recommend shutters for your house though.
Building a house with all brick front. It will have non operational shutters. Side loading garage on the right that has 2 single windows(with shutters) on 1st level and big arch on second(no shutters). Next section to left has double windows on both levels with shutters. Next section is entry that has big arched window(like 2nd level garage) with no shutters. Next section 3 window 1st level with shutters and 2 window second level with shutters. Last section on left has 2 single windows with shutters on 1st and 2nd level.
1. All articles i read including yours say no shutters should be on the 2 and 3 windows. So I should only have shutters on 4 indivudual windows on left side of house on 1st and 2nd level and then on the right side 2 single windows first level ONLY. Will that look OK or should I not do shutters on any
2. If I do those shutters on the window, they currently want to bolt the non operational shutters directly to the brick. I read that shutters shouldn’t be screwed directly to brick. So should I have them frame out the windows with brick turned a different way so that they can screw shutters to that trim brick to have them sit about .75”-1” off the brick?
Hi Mike – this is difficult to follow. Please email me your drawings and I will be able to advise you. info@oldhouseguy.com
Great Guide, thank you.
i know this is a bit off topic, but here goes. I have just bought a holiday home in Cape Town, South Africa, and need advice whether to purchase and install White Teak Shutters or Aluminium security shutters on the inside of the living room or outside on the patio? I am not a local (proudly residing in Boulder, Colorado!) and have been advised that is preferable to install the shutters inside for security purposes as they are harder to break into? Have been told crime is quite high there. The property is also a turn of the century cape Dutch style home.
I was further advised that American shutters are by far the most reputable and best quality for Shutters in South Africa by the estate agent?
Ken, Dan any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Hi Serge: When you are not there if the house is vacant and not rented out you will need to make security your priority. I don’t know what aluminum shutters look like – probably not attractive but that’s what I would recommend.
I’m wondering what to do with a newer style window where it doesnt have a traditional wood casing to mount to. My windows all have a plastic j channel built In that my siding slides behind. In this situation is mounting directly to the house the only option??
Hi – can’t help you with this but maybe one of the readers can.
Hi there! We just purchased a stone dutch colonial home built in 1763, the many previous owners have made some terrible design choices that do not go with a primitive colonial home. Most of the stone has been covered by stucco in the front of the house, and some terrible cheap vinyl shutters added, I’d like to add functional shutters but am torn on what type to do
the old shutters had been ripped off and destroyed but they left behind the original rat tail shutter dogs, any ideas on what to do here ??? Also a garage has been added, and the doors are terrible… what would be a good way to keep the garage but have it blend in or make more sense, barn style doors??
thanks, I am overwhelmed with desicions!
Welcome to the world of historic home ownership!
I would use paneled shutters. Board and Batten may be too crude for your house.
Either paint the garage a stone color to match the stone house or a red, Benjamin Moore HC-65 Hadley Red to resemble an out-building or barn. Yes barn style door for sure. You can get real ones that slide or open out or doors that look like barn doors. Make sure they are wood because they will have sharper detailing. Good luck!
I really want black shutters and a black door, but I feel like the shutters would only look right on the one second story windows.
What do you think?
https://photos.zillowstatic.com/p_f/ISuknkxae7y6mi0000000000.jpg
No shutters what so ever on any of the window.
https://p.rdcpix.com/v02/lb5956c45-m1xd-w480_h360_q80.jpg
We are putting our house up for sale and our real estate agent asked us to put shutters on the front of the house. We don’t know where to start. We were thinking black, not sure if the attic window has enough space to accomadate shutters. Do we do the porch window as well?
I Agree – your house does need shutters on the second floor. For the 3rd floor you will need to measure. Remember you must mount them on the casing so that gives you some extra space. I can’t see the bay window on the porch but you could skip that window. Black would be the best color. Good shutters are very expensive but will make a huge difference in selling the house.
I am looking for vinyl non-operable shutters for my house. The front of the house has old style “orange” brick. I have a black-dark grey shingles on the roof. So, I was looking for a very dark grey colors shutters, but have no luck finding it. Also my existing dark green Mid-America shutters started to lose color after 5 years (House is facing SW with no tree shade). Any manufacturers that would have less color fading issues with their shutters? Thank you.
Sorry Mike as you should have read, no shutters are better than cheap vinyl shutters.
Hi! We have a plain two story farmhouse that needs shutters as soon as possible! It’s all white with a green metal roof.. I can’t decide if I should do forest green shutters on the 6 windows in the front? And I can’t choose between board and batten or louvard for the style.. also, would it look odd with shutters just on the front and none on the sides bc of the awkward window placement? we have replaced our side door with a stained wood door and would like to replace the front door eventually but if I do green shutters should I paint my front door the same green too? Off topic but after installing shutters to add color should I paint the porch railings white?
Hi – your house must be all white. The shutters and the front door can be Benjamin Moore Essex Green. Really all windows should be shuttered but that is expensive.
Louvered would be best.
Next step – If you want you can paint all the window sashes to match the green.
I added pine d-log siding to my mom’s mobile home?
We are having to wait to stain the siding. She would like to have a green metal roof.
What style of shutters would you use? We were thinking board and batten.
Also, some of the windows are different sizes. Would you add shutters to all windows?
Thank You,
Becky
Never heard of shutters on a mobile home. Don’t know what style to use either. Sorry.
Mother-in-law’s home built in 1820’s. House is Old Style brick colonial. The exterior wooden shutters are falling apart. Need to find replacements.
Can you please recommend how to find this type exterior shutters for this period?
I can’t see them. I have advertisements for shutters on my pages. Why not call them?
Four questions , please, regarding the house shown in these pictures: https://link.shutterfly.com/RdL6Wv0CHY.
-For the second story windows that are close together, would you recommend a shutter on the left of the left side window and one on the right of the right sided window and nothing in between?
-Would you suggest no shutters on the large window above the front door because there is no room on the left hand side to put one and same for any other window that has no place for 2 shutters ?
-Since all the windows were trimmed in dark brown, would you do the shutters in dark brown which would somewhat disguise the trim, or would you introduce a new, complimentary color for the shutters?
-Should width be proportionate to window sizes even though there are so many different sizes ?
We plan to do framed batten and board shutters …nothing with louvers. Thanks.
Very poor quality photos – really can’t see much. No shutters on your house at all. The front of your house was very poorly designed. The back is pretty good.
Absolutely NO shutters.
“-Should width be proportionate to window sizes even though there are so many different sizes ?”
Did you read my shutters pages?? You should know this answer.
I have a shutter problem, the brick chimney/fireplace means there’s not much space for shutters on one side of two windows. See website pic since I can’t attach a picture. Do you have any suggestions?
Please read the website. Your answer is there with a photo. I’m sorry but i do not have the time to repeat all the information I already made available.
As for your house – absolutely NO shutters on casement windows. This info is on the website.
We just moved into a brick house with wooden shutters on hinges. One of the shutter dogs has fallen out and it looks like a shop-made nail. It looks like the hole in the brick mortar has a sleeve in it to hold it in place. It looks like it might be wood. Do you have any information/guidance on this type of installation?
Mike
Hey Mike – Call Shuttercraft, they should be able to help you. You may need to send a photo to them.
Why would shutters in our community fade quicker on first floor as opposed to the second floor shutters? They are in direct sunlight.
I have a shutter problem, the brick chimney/fireplace means there’s not much space for shutters on one side of two windows. See website pic since I can’t attach a picture. Do you have any suggestions?
There is an example on my website with a photo.
I have a shutter problem, the brick chimney/fireplace means there’s not much space for shutters on one side of two windows. See website pic since I can’t attach a picture. Do you have any suggestions?
Just bought this house (Noah McClelland House) in Gratz Park in Lexington KY. How do I level the shutters (a few are drooping) and I assume the shutters should be green but can they be slightly lighter?https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=10223560834064915&set=pcb.10223560847385248
Shutters appear to be a good fit although difficult to really tell. Benjamin Moore Essex Green is the best shutter color. The bright white plastic windows need to go however.
Thanks. Those are storm windows. There is nothing but wood allowed here but they do permit storm doors and windows since the houses aren’t exactly energy efficient lol.
Do the rules outlined in this series apply to interior shutters, also? Thank you.
No – interior shutters have different hinges and are hung more like a door.
Thank you. May I politely suggest a series on all the ends and outs of adding appropriate interior shutters to a home. Thank you so much.
That would be good I agree. Going back say pre-civil war, homes had both interior and exterior shutters. Brick homes with very thick walls would have interior shutters that would close up into the wall. Sorry to say I really don’t know much.
This is a very interesting read. I came upon your page via the door curtains (portière) post. I am an American expat (originally from Lakewood, NJ). My German hubby and I bought a 1903, Northern Black Forest house two years ago. We are handy and I am an historian and professor, so research is my life’s blood. If you are ever keen on a post to see the abuse on a foreign house, we could share horror stories and show how we have repaired many of the German style modern “improvements”. (drop ceiling covering lovely plaster molding, 1960s linoleum on hardwood floors, 1970s pebble shot casing on ground floor exterior, tall door frames shortened to accommodate cheap shorter doors, etc.)
Fortunately, we are only missing two shutters from the ground floor. I hope we can recreate them later. All the rest are in place, though some were repainted in a manner, so the latches are inoperable. That will be remedied next year when we finally move on to the house’s exterior. In the meantime, I used the shutters last summer when it was stifling hot. Guess what? Their functionality is not a myth. They are not meant solely for decoration. They let light and air in while lessening how much sun heated the rooms. It was far more comfortable.
I thank you for all the information. I have a home built in 1938 in Sacramento. I believe it is considered transitional minimal architecture. I plan to remove the shutters by the porch window but am considering getting larger shutters on the other window that look like they might actually close over the window. From reading your information it looks like a solid shutter with a cutout would work. I believe this window replaced a smaller one and is not centered on the wall. We are trying to get a plant to fill some space and are thinking the larger shutters would help. Your thoughts? Thanks again.
Shutters must match the window size – no exceptions. Cutout shutters would be good for the period. If you are still not sure send me a photo.
Ken
Hi Ken – Thank you for your informative article, I honestly never gave a lot of thought to shutters until our decorative ones were recently removed during the re-siding of our 1929 house. Please advise as to whether or not we should replace them. After reading your article I would ensure that if they are replaced they would be done correctly! Also, what style of house would ours be classified? Thank you – Barb
https://share.icloud.com/photos/0ZpaYRr9c52UHLeAjdrxD2nxw#New_London
Well – first I would check for ghost marks on the casing to see if there were hinges of old shutters. I really don’t think there were any and unless you find evidence I would not use any shutters. The colors you have and the contrast give enough interest to the house as it is.
Hello Ken. Have you heard of 19th window shutters in the attic for ventilation purposes? Not a fixed panel but pair of shutters with shutter hardware. I bought a 1880 Colonial Revival clapboard home and to my surprise there was a pair of shutters with screen in the attic which the previous owner had blocked from the inside to reduce heating bill. I have replicated the shutters and created a proper screen with reclaimed material. My mechanical engineer suggested a second one on the opposite side for proper circulation/ventilation and I have added it. According to someone who grew up in the area, this was usual. Every Summer her brother had to go up and open the shutters and every Fall to close them. Inspector & engineer suggested the removal of plywood in front of the interior screen which makes sense. Any historical clarification. appreciated
Houses were not ventilated years ago. When they started doing that the most logical way was to use the attic window. Much better than cutting a hole in the house. Cross ventilation is good. During the winter you will not need the full window so you can cover part of it up.
Hi Ken ~
I have a 1936 Cape Cod (in Michigan) with the original louvered wood shutters. I have a circa 1940 photo of the home, and the shutters are clearly screwed into the window frame rather than being hinged; when I purchased the home, they were affixed with screws, not hinges.
So… the history of my house clearly doesn’t include hinged, operable shutters. Do I leave them as they’ve been for 85 years, or do I add hinges? If I DO add hinges, how do I keep the shutters from rattling against the tie-back? Rattling is my biggest concern about adding hinges as that kind of noise drives me up the wall. Thank you!
Good question. The shutters may have been added by the homeowner to save money but you never know the reason behind it. You can keep them screwed in as being a kind-of original installation mistake. It would also be fine to correct it and add hinges. If it were my house, and as a purist, I would probably add hinges providing the appearance is improved. If they were screwed onto the house in a way that you get a nice shadow-line that may be fine but using hinges should bring the shutter away from the house creating a nice shadow improving the look. As for rattling there should be “S” shutter dogs to hold them in place. There are other options but this is what would have been used in the 30’s.
Hello Ken,
Our home was built in 2010 and is one of 59 homes in the development. The front windows are a 9/9 with a six pane window above separated by a slightly wider bar giving the illusion of a transom window. Ours is one of eight homes having that style window, none of which have shutters. We feel the entire window (9/9 and the six pane) should be shuttered but the HOA Board feels that only the lower 9/9 portion of the window should be shuttered. Can you offer some guidance?
Thank you,
Steve
Hi – I do see what the HOA is getting at and it really depends on how well the windows were designed. Please send pics via the contact us.
Hello Ken
I love your website! It is so informative. I am looking for a reputable company to buy shutters and I am noticing that most companies that sell “Fixed” Louvre Shutter have the louvres pointing in the wrong direction as you have outlined on this site. Even the companies that charge ALOT for custom shutters? Is there a reason why? If I am buying Fixed Louvre shutters that stay fixed (but want them to look operable) – I would buy with the slats pointing towards the house (ie: the rain would fall to the siding on the house). So many companies, even the ones that specialize in custom shutters, sell them with Louvre in the other direction? Is there a reason why?
I get a lot of shutter companies wanting to advertise here but none of them qualify as an authentic shutter that will add curb appeal. Timberlane is a good company but I have issues with their photos promoting a good wood shutters that are mounted too far from the window. Shuttercraft is a company I like and advertise for. Colleen is the owner and easy to talk to, send pics to and get some good installation info. Their fixed louvers point in the correct direction. One big thing to keep in mind is that from what I can tell some fixed louvered shutters have the slats angled straight down making them look flat. The slats should be at an angle showing a space between the slats to allow ventilation which for decorative purposes would really add a nice texture and pop from the street. Once you find a fixed slat shutter at the correct angle then the shutter co. can add a fake tilt bar. If the date of your house specifies operable louvers, you can save some money by doing this. The reason shutter companies have the louvers pointing the wrong way is that really they don’t know what an authentic shutter looks like just like window manufacturers are now creating windows that look totally different than the old. Also when angled towards the house it does NOT mean that water will be infiltrating your home like some may believe.
I apologize if this question was answered before. I administer a Facebook group about Colonial Revival houses and am sometimes ask why some of the houses have white shutters downstairs and black (or dark) shutters upstairs. I have an idea why they are like that but have no proof. Do you have an idea? Also, generally the shutters are solid down and louvered up. However sometimes they are louvered all around. Any idea why? Many thanks for all the information you publish!
Hi – This would be normally seen pre Civil War. Louvers on the 2nd floor to darken the bedroom for a nap and allowing some air to come in. White solid panel on the first floor for privacy and to help reflect the lighting to light up the room at night.
I have a house built in 1950 in NE Ohio that has what looks like hinge cutouts on the left and a latch cut out on the right on the frame of the smaller windows. These windows are on the side and back of my home, and the cutouts are on the interior, not exterior. I know down south houses had interior shutters for hurricane protection, but I’ve never seen any homes in Ohio have them. Do you have any info on what these might have looked like?
Ranch houses had fixed louvered shutters mostly. Please email me a photo and I can let you know. Difficult to visualize.
This is the best thread on the internet ever – top 10!
I’m installing fake shutters as decoration. Arched. 6′ high. Closed. To siding in the front of a country Episcopal church (no windows. No frames. Just plain siding. Any advice? Build a frame? Or can I get away with it?
Ha Ha – funny
Hi Ken,
Wanted to jump on and express how grateful we are! I studied your information, purchased the correct shutters from Shuttercraft, and am so happy with the result! Who knew there was so much to consider!?! The staff at Shuttercraft (luckily located right in our town!) was great! They were about to Sussex out what we needed regarding size and subtype, including paint. Our beach house, built on piers in 1924, is now much happier. 25-year real cedar shingles (in gray) with white functional shutters, and white trim, with a simple cobalt/purpley-blue front door to match the handmade recycled lobster rope mat. Not exciting, but absolutely low key and perfect. Seven houses in from L.I. Sound with a white birch tree and perennials. Thanks again!
Two Old People with a Happy House