A shutter is a type of window cover that controls the amount of light that enters a room. It is solid and stable. Shutters consist of vertical stiles and rails that run horizontally, all held together by a sturdy frame. Different materials can be mounted on the frame such as solid panels, fabrics, glass and many others. Shutters provide privacy, keep bad weather outside the home and they also have impressive decorative qualities. Shutters are extremely versatile and depending on the material they are made of, they can be installed on the inside as well as the exterior of the house. Some home décor designs even have shutters for the doors.
Interior shutters are fixed on either side of the opening for the window and they swing inwards to open and allow light to flow through the window. Some styles of shutters rotate to open and close. Café type shutters are shutters that only cover the bottom half of a window. Full height shutters are made with a divider rail that runs horizontally and separates the upper and lower sections of the shutter. Shutters are an extra layer of privacy that is delivered in subtle stylish designs.
Exterior shutters are employed for light control, an increased sense of privacy and shelter from bad weather. They, like interior shutters, are mounted on either side of the window, only they are mounted on the outside of the house. Some exterior shutters are functional in a sense that they open and close, whilst others serve a purely decorative purpose as they are permanently fixed on the wall. Fixed shutter seek only to complement the décor theme on the exterior of the home. Exterior shutters are made of extremely weather-resistant materials such as metal and vinyl but traditional exterior shutters are made from hardwoods. Hardwoods like Spanish cedar, Honduran mahogany and teak are commonly used.
Wooden exterior shutters must be treated with certain chemicals so that the wood does not retain water and contract and expand during wet weather. It is also advisable that any wood in the house be treated a fire resistant chemical.