Kestrel Shutters & Doors – Blog

Posts Tagged ‘Interior Shutters’

Deciding on a Louver style is a combination of how the louvers will be used, the surrounding décor, and your own personal preference.

First to think about is how will the louvers be used. For both inside and outside applications knowing the purpose of the louvers is helpful to determine if you need fixed or operable louver blades- then you can decide on louver width. Some things to consider when choosing a width are if the louvers are going to be used for privacy, ventilation, and if you will be adjusting them for viewing. If you prefer to have operable louvers, both narrow and wide louver widths will provide privacy when closed. However, a larger louver blade width will have a wider viewing area since each louver is spaced further apart. Also, a wider operable louver blade will allow for greater ventilation since blades can be adjusted to a fully opened position. The opposite is true with our standard fixed louvers. In a smaller stationary louver greater ventilation is achieved because there are more open areas simply because there are more louvers.  When louvers are used to hide appliances make sure that you have the required amount of cubic feet per minute, CFM, of air flow. Keep in mind that fixed louvers do not offer complete privacy but if you like the look of louvers and do not have ventilation requirements you could choose a faux louver which will provide privacy with a louvered look.

The next consideration is the surrounding décor. Your home may be anything from Traditional to Contemporary, Cottage to Art Deco but, regardless of styling, any of these could match a narrow louver blade or a wide louver depending on room, window, and furniture proportions. Match the louver size with the scale of what you see. In my last post, “Made to fit vs. Make it fit”, I mentioned proportions and how some are more comfortable then others. For example, a large window with one shutter might not suit smaller louvers but be perfect with wider louvers for a more open and airy appearance. The same window when fitted with several smaller shutters will look proportioned correctly with a smaller louver.

Sample louvers can help you see which looks best for the application if you are just not sure. Much like taping paint color samples onto a wall when deciding on room colors and glancing at them at different times of the day to see which one you like; do the same with louver samples, you’ll know in a matter of days which one is just right for you and your home.

Did you know? Plantation Louvers may give a hint of a Southern style but it is actually just a generic marketing name that refers to an operable louver shutter with a louver blade that is between two to three inches in width. However, you will find that louver blade widths can be dependant throughout regions due to both climate and cultural differences.

Note: If you live in an old historic home then you also need to consider what the home should have. If you are lucky you will have some of the original shutters but if not check other old homes of a similar style nearby that might have their original shutters. Most likely yours had very much the same. The historic commission in your area should also be able to lend some assistance with old photographs.

Louver & Panel combination shutters:

A naturally beautiful and renewable choice – Wood shutters and doors by

Kestrel Shutters & Doors, Inc. www.DIYShutters.com 1-800-494-4321 / sales@diyshutters.com

Don’t judge a book by its cover. We have all heard this numerous times in our life and yet we still let ourselves be surprised when something is not as it seems. It is that mouth watering piece of moist, dark chocolate cake that, sadly enough, turns out to be some bizarre experiment in carob meets soy paste. Recently it was Aqua Dots, a cool looking toy and craft for small children that has since been recalled because it contains a variation of the date rape drug. Whoops!

Sometimes it is mass produced shutters, many made in China, that are finished with what we assume (and hope!) is a non toxic paint and sold on web sites and in American home centers. Granted they do look nice but then again, what wouldn’t? How many curb appeal type shows have we all seen where they stress putting on fresh coats of paint to hide poor workmanship just to make it easier to sell your home. Because it looks shiny and new doesn’t mean it was made well.

When buying shutters, whether they are for the interior or exterior of your home, spend some time “kicking the tires” so to speak.

Is the wood a solid hardwood or finger jointed drop off?
Is the joinery traditional pegged, mortise and tenon or do they cut corners by using dowels and screws?
Are the operable louver self balancing so they stay in any position you place them or do they rely on a mechanical tension screw that you need to adjust every time the humidity in your home changes?
Do the fixed louvers and panels float to allow for expansion and contraction?
Are the operable louvers attached with solid brass screw eyes that cannot fall out or do they use staples that will, sooner or later, fail?

Really, the idea is to try to learn as much as you can about your shutters before you buy them. Get samples from each company and compare. Does the shutter feel substantial in your hands or are you afraid that one good sneeze might tear it apart? Look behind that pretty white paint and golden oak stain and see for yourself whether your shutter is really a shutter, or is it just a lemon.

A naturally beautiful and renewable choice – Wood shutters and doors by

Kestrel Shutters & Doors, Inc. www.DIYShutters.com 1-800-494-4321 / sales@diyshutters.com