I LOVE our shutters...so easy to keep clean as opposed to blinds with the small slats. It's also nice to have the versatility of keeping partial parts of the shutters open/closed depending on the amount of light you want to let in. We had shutters put in throughout our house about 2 years ago. Here is a pic of our kitchen shutters...

Here's some pictures, unfortunately all the shutters are open so you can't really get a good grasp of them. My slats are around 2".

We have blinds in the bedrooms, shutters in the front of the house. The best thing I like about them is I can close the shutters and make it dark in the house in the middle of the day if I want! :)

Thanks for the feedback. What do you think is the easiest/best way to clean them? I use a cloth on my blinds, which is time consuming. Athomewith3, it looks like your shutters are one full shutter top to bottom. Can you open the top louvers and keep the bottom ones closed? And do either of you (or anyone out there) think shutters have an insulating value? Oakleyok, you have a very distinguished model in your picture. I like your granite too. Do you think shutters blocks light more than blinds? We like light. Keep the feedback coming anyone out there! And thanks

I have shutters on my living room window which is 120" X 60. Two other rooms have slat blinds and am ready to change to shutters. The blinds cording has changed color and my only solution is taking them down and washing the entire blind.

The shutters seem softer, richer and for me are far easier to clean. You can also open or close for whatever light wanted. They definitely block more light and you can always consider installing separate top and bottom sets too. I keep telling myself they insulate better, but haven't any details for such. There doesn't seem to be any drafts or cold with them as there was with blinds/drapes.

Also, I bought my shutters for $10 a piece and there are still dozens left. These were contractors mistakes donated to Restore. I actually bought more than needed as the measurements were off 1/8 or 1/16. This actually worked fine with an old house and windows aren't always exact in sizing. Donated back what I didn't use.

Most people don't buy them due to the installation factor. Some still had a frame, others were just the shutters. All had the needed hardware. But with trim and the right measurements they went up easy...I did it myself with an outside install over the current window trim.

Now you have me heading to get the other shutters to replace the blinds. The big window cost me $120, far too much of a bargain not to try them. I love the look and they handle use much longer.

Deborah, oh yes, shutters do block the light. In the summer when it's so hot outside, I want it to feel like winter, so I close the shutters and turn lamps on!

They are also great insulators. If I have them closed on a very cold or hot day, I open them just to feel the heat or cold, and I close them immediately.

What I do is, if they're clean, I use a feather duster and go over them front and back once a week, which is really easy to do and fast. If a thick layer of dust builds up (which is more often than not!), I use a microfiber cloth and just clean each slat individually, cursing the whole time. lol.

We like our shutters so much, when we added on a room, we had the builder make the new window the same size as the one that had the old shutter (in the picture with the round rug and dog laying on it) so we could still use it..while we had to buy more shutters for the new windows. The shutter people came out and re-hung the shutter for us.

They're expensive, but will last a lifetime.

Sorry, no pictures to post because I'm not in-country anymore, but I'm a shutter gal myself. Yes, they are a major expense, but I love mine. It's probably a regional thing, but in some parts of the country they greatly add to the resell value of a house. I don't have data either, but it really does seem to insulate a room. I find them much easier to clean than blinds or drapes for that matter. I use the feather duster/micro fiber cloth method too. I shudder on washing drapes how much dirt gets collected between infrequent washing and the dry clean only are expensive to clean, and painful to take down/put up. Bottom line, I think they are timeless, clean, practical, and beautiful to boot. I'd suggest getting the split version (as seen in athome photo) so you can control light and privacy. In the front of my home I sometimes close the bottom portion--so no one knows what a disaster the house is--and leave the top open for light. When I installed mine, it wasn't any more expensive to do it this way. I like bigger slats better as well--once again, easier to clean. I hate making work for myself so I find I'm going for low maintence more and more. This is about as clean and easy as it gets.

And if you can get a deal like emagineer got, what's to think about?

I love my shutters on the 6 windows across my one wall in the LR. As we get the morning sun-it helps to keep them shut mid day to keep out the hot FL sun! They cover the bottom half of my windows.I also have scalloped window shades at each window so if I want complete privacy w/no light-I have that choice. I have drapery panels on each end of this stretch of windows and inbetween each window...all topped w/a valance. Like you-I like my daylight but want my privacy as we live in a park where folks walk by all of the time.
I can't link a pic on here, but if you email me-I can attach a photo in an email.
Sharon in FL

So does anyone have shutters with windows that tilt in for cleaning? It was mentioned recently that they don't work with shutters. Mine look as if there would be enough froom along the sides for a frame, though.

Shutters are one of the best investments we made in our house (bye bye curtains!)...

As long as there is about 1" depth to the frame, they can be installed anywhere.

Mine tilt in for cleaning. That's one advantage of outside mount. I LOVE my shutters. We installed before we even moved in and just included the cost in the building loan. It becomes part of the value of your real estate anyway. I got full shutters for all windows except breakfast area where I got cafe. I agree with all of the above. Easy to keep clean, great light control, good insulator, and they are the look I love.

I like the look of shutters also but does any one open their windows with them?

My windows tilt-in for cleaning, no problems with the shutters getting in the way.

To clean the shutters, I use one of those Swifter Duster wand things every few weeks. Easy peasy.

My photos are on the other computer, I can't access right now.

We have Norman Shutters (available at many locations, including Naffco and JC Penney).

ML

dd50, yes in pretty weather I open my windows. I either have the window open behind the shutter with the slats wide open for air flow, or I leave the shutter swung open for a while for maximum air. It's no problem.

I'm so glad to hear people aren't having trouble with the tilt-ins. I've always dreamed of having shutters and never thought of that being a problem. Mine seem to have enough clearance.

I love shutters! I'm busy with other projects but I'd love to have them someday. I'm with mimi, next house they will be installed before we move in. I've never seen a room that didn't look better with shutters. I also think they would work well in a cape cod house, although I'd consider using some half way up like mimi did if the windows are small.

I love my shutters! I wanted a more modern look, so I went with 4" slats and hidden tilt bar. Mine open up so there's no issue with cleaning the windows (if I ever actually cleaned the windows, heh heh)

Very nice looking EVERYONE! Thanks for posting so many awesome pics!

Mom2reece - What kind are yours? I have 2 long and narrow windows which flank my bed and have been considering shutters, but just haven't found the right look until seeing your pictures. The ones in your second picture look like they'd work great. TIA!

Great feedback everybody! Thanks for the pictures. I am closer to ordering them, just needed encouragement. Has anyone heard of The Louver Shop? That is where I will probably get them. One thing that was a concern is that our windows are original to the 1940's house. We are replacing the 7 second story ones because they need it the most. I love the character of the double hung windows with all the panes. There are 20 downstairs which is too many to replace with all the other improvements we are doing. So, Since I need some kind of window treatment, I thought shutters would look great and maybe help some with insulation. Truth is, I have always liked them, especially the plantation shutters. Again, thanks for any more feedback. Pictures are so helpful! I am so glad I found this website, although I spend time on here when I should be packing to move!

Our whole house has them (they were here when we moved in), and I love them. Most of the plantation shutters here are 20+ years old; not many window treatments will last 20 years. Our old house had plantation shutters in the living and dining rooms and wood blinds everywhere else. The plantation shutters were a lot better! Sorry for the dim pictures and different sizes!

Laundry Room (Original Wood)...............Front Hallway (Original Wood)
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Pool/Dining (Original Wood).....................Living (Original Wood)
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Living (Original Wood)
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Living (Original Wood).......................... Bedroom (Original Wood)
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Bedroom (Original Wood)
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Great Room (Both Windows New Poly)
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Old Living/Dining (Plantation)...........................................................Old Bedroom (Wood Blinds)
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RE: Pictures of interior shutters anyone? Still thinking...

• Posted by: patty0315 (My Page) on Fri, Nov 6, 09 at 17:36

We installed our plantation shutters several years ago and if we ever move I'll buy them for the next house. Not only do they insulate in the summer and winter, but they are much more attractive than blinds and the expense is reduced by the amount I would have spent on window treatments. Mine all fold and swing back away from the windows so I can have my view whenever I want it. Love them and they do help sell a house.

RE: Pictures of interior shutters anyone? Still thinking...

• Posted by: natal (My Page) on Fri, Nov 6, 09 at 18:06

We have the traditional shutters. They were in 3 rooms when we bought the house and we've since removed them from two and added them to another. We have a 1950s cottage. I think the plantation style would've been a little too contemporary.

RE: Pictures of interior shutters anyone? Still thinking...

• Posted by: buddyrose (My Page) on Sun, Jan 3, 10 at 11:20

My house has both shutters and blinds. I love my shutters. I usually pull them open on sunny days to look into my yard.

RE: Pictures of interior shutters anyone? Still thinking...

• Posted by: susieq07 (My Page) on Sun, Jan 3, 10 at 14:01

here's a whole gallery of pics.

Here is a link that might be useful: link

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We installed our plantation shutters several years ago and if we ever move I'll buy them for the next house. Not only do they insulate in the summer and winter, but they are much more attractive than blinds and the expense is reduced by the amount I would have spent on window treatments. Mine all fold and swing back away from the windows so I can have my view whenever I want it. Love them and they do help sell a house.

We have the traditional shutters. They were in 3 rooms when we bought the house and we've since removed them from two and added them to another. We have a 1950s cottage. I think the plantation style would've been a little too contemporary.

My house has both shutters and blinds. I love my shutters. I usually pull them open on sunny days to look into my yard.

Here is a link that might be useful: link

here's a whole gallery of pics.

I had plantation shutters installed this year. They are gorgeous. I have 3.5 inch outside mount, recommended by the sales lady because the frames are uneven on our 1940's home (not an issue with new construction). There are no problems with tilt windows for cleaning. We also got dividers, so it helps for privacy, as we keep the bottom portion closed. My only issue is that the outside mount restricts light inside the house after 3 pm when the sun starts to go down. You can always see it is bright and sunny outside, but the light doesn't make it inside the house and we have to turn on lights --That is the only trade off. Otherwise, I think I made a good choice. Aesthetically, you cannot go wrong!!