Sorry for letting this thread drop, we had to make a bit of an emergency trip out of state. I don't want any of you who responded to think that I just didn't read through your responses. :) I'm not sure why the lined bamboo shades would be so heavy (I've not felt them myself, but the rep said they'd be "ugodly heavy." We have babmoo shades outside and they're surprisingly light. Maybe a different quality of materials is used? I'm really not sure. The existing panels & sheers, once we have a privacy treatment, would stay open - pushed to either side (not swagged). The panels & sheers are on a double rod and I like to have the sheers just barely poking out from behind. No idea why, it's just a look I really like. I'm not deeply in love with either, but it took me a LONG time to find panels in that color that were long enough so I'm not in a hurry to get rid of them. I don't have a great pic showing the windows/current treatments, and never did get one taken before we had to take off. Here are some that I've taken to show other things, in which you can see partially what I have: These are the actual windows: You can see part of the panels/sheers here. The sheers can go if need be. There's just something I like about them paired. This is a very rare picture of them closed. We normally leave them pulled open. The panels aren't quite that dark, nor shiny, in person (and we now have a different rug in there).

Hi deborah :-) I've had them 3 years, since we built the house. One reason I got the wider (3 1/2 inch) slats was to let in more light. That was one of my concerns but when they're open the light streams in and the view out is still great. I also got the design where the upper and lower is closed and opened independently so the top can be open for light and the bottom closed for privacy if I choose. Since I have them on all the windows I wanted a simpler look. I also like the traditional smaller slats with bifolds but I think it would've been way too much on large triple and double windows. I have no regrets about the style I chose. I considered blinds for my upstairs but I knew once I had the shutters I would be spoiled and want those so I just plunged in and did all the windows. I definitely think they help insulate. Now when you close them, there goes the light but during times when we're not home and all through the night mine stay closed for insulation if the weather is hot or cold out. In nice weather I just leave them open sometimes. They definitely aren't cheap but I rationalized because the only window I do a wt on is the breakfast area where I got the cafe height shutters. So no drapes/curtains to change out, wash, dust, etc. It's definitely for me! I had wanted them for years.

Stick with a bright white shutter, it works with every color. Your louver size should be 3 1/2 and you will need a cut out for the door handle. As for the frame, stick with an inside mount frame that will overlap the edges (typically called a Z frame) unless you have tilt in windows. You can give up the tilt in feature if you want an inside mount frame but make sure you can remove your screens without having to tilt the window in. You can get an ebook that talks about all aspects of shutters in this blog post Beauty of Shutters. You can also enter to win a free shutter on this facebook page at free shutter. Personally I would prefer a white trim in the home but even with the monochrome look I would go with a bright white shutter. From what I can tell from your picture it looks like the house has a very clean look which would make me recommend a hidden tilt, that is what is on these shutters. You don't see the traditional tilt rod on the front. You will notice the shutter by the bed is closed on the bottom and open on the top. This is what is called a split tilt. It will allow you to open the top for light but leave the bottom closed for privacy while maintaining a uniform look on the shutter panels. This can also be done with a divider rail but it will divide the top and bottom like in the picture below and you see the rail in the middle. It looks like you have a very nice home and I am sure it will all look great! Good luck!

You don't say why you are planning to cover the windows. Are you wanting privacy? Plantation shutters of any color are not going to improve the look or the lack of light here. First, see about having an arborist come and improve the trees outside. See what might be done to lighten the color of the deck roof so it can reflect some light. Then tackle the interior lighting with LED's and more sources of light. Any window treatments should help soften the heavy masculine feeling of the woodwork, which is beautiful. Shutters won't do that.