I am just now researching this same thing. I just ordered faux wood 2" blinds for two bedrooms from J.C. Penny. Really good sale. But the shutter prices were to much $$$$$. I think they quoted me $141.00 per window. I have found some good pricing at netshutters.com around $65.00 for the same window. These are in my kitchen are I need the cafe shutter 19 1/2" wide & I need 26" high. That is just beyond the sash. Now in the master bath I am also doing the cafe shutter and I have three windows mulled together. I need the shutter to be 75" long and 32" high. Again, netshutters had the best price. I asked on this forum about blinds and shutters and someone on here said she got some from this company and was happy with them. They are not the same quality as hunter douglass but lots less $$$$$ Does anyone know where the top of a cafe shutter should be? I thought that it should just about cover the window latch. So I figured 1 inch above the window sash!!

If you have the choice, go gridless. It definately looks better. In our previous home the grids were removable. So it wasnt a problem. However, in my current home the grids are built in on the double hung windows:( But I wanted shutters.

We just ordered plantation shutters for our whole house, and we went with 1 panel wide on all of our windows. Our largest windows are 48" wide and 70" tall. We did do the horizontal divider rail, so we can close the bottom ones if we want, and to provide more support to each panel since they are so big. I'm not planning on swinging open the shutters, unless I am cleaning the windows. Ours should be here in the next week or two, so I can share pics then.

The wood blinds are what we did. I would think about what kind of light and/or privacy control you may want -- and that can vary depending on the season. I get sun coming in at such a low angle in the winter that it can be the most annoying light problem we have. Blinds allow you semi-privacy when open and can be adjusted for some light control with a view. Because they are heavier, it is not suggested to leave them up for extended periods. I had in the past, but with the long windows in my FR, these are heavier than what I'e had in the past and the guy we bought them from said open, don't raise them for light and view. Raise them for cleaning and put them back down. Shades vary by type, but tend to give you filtered light or no light on the portion they block. The top down shades there now do look nice -- like an internally hung tailored valance, but they block light and trees from the top but allows you to see the table and anyone sitting at it or what is going on in the yard even if seated. If you leave them mostly open and get enough light, they may be fine. If you would rather see the trees and sky and screen the furniture, you light like a bottom up version. Most of those also give you the option of raising them and going top down. That is what I plan to put in my MBR.