mimi, love the look of your shutters and think it is just right for your windows! Your upper glass is smaller panes, and it just seems like it is more of a transom. caroleoh, thank you! We are building in SW FL, and it's a new development that is suppose to have a more 'northern style' home. It still is very much a FL home with a big Lanai, but a little different with hardwood floors and an upstairs bonus room. So, I rode around this afternoon and did find a lot of tall windows with shutters. It seemed as most of them went up 2/3rd if they had the upper section in an arch or eyebrow shape... which makes sense. 75% of the windows like mine seemed to go all the way to the top, and the other few that did not - had some type of valance/cornice on the top section. It really didn't look strange at all from the road, however they looked very formal, and I really am trying to make it 'casual elegant' feel. Not much sun in these rooms, they are facing North, and most of the sunlight will be from the back and sides of the home. what to do, what to do... so many decisions!!

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.

Plantation shutters can certainly be used on french doors. People do it all the time and it looks awesome! You may want to check out www.horizonshutters.com to view their products and ask any questions that you may have. Also, that site has pictures of installed Plantation shutters so you can see exactly how great they look on windows and doors. Good luck!

From This LINK - Here are a few of the benefits of Bahama shutters: Storm protection: The main function of Bahama shutters is to provide protection during a hurricane. The hinges are located at the top of the window, and they're thick and durable enough to withstand the strong winds and heavy rain of a hurricane. When you install Bahama shutters, there's no need to board up your windows prior to a hurricane. All you need to do is close your shutters, and deployment takes minutes as opposed to hours. Privacy: Another benefit of Bahama shutters is that they add privacy to your home. With the way the shutters are designed, you can see out but no one can see in. Shade control and light regulation: Florida is known for its extremely sunny days. Bahama shutters also perform the function of light regulators and can filter out unwanted light from the sun. This is perfect for the hot, sunny months that Southwest Florida is accustomed to. Too much light from the sun can also cause higher temperatures inside the home. Bahama shutters can help regulate this problem and keep your home cooler. Aesthetics: Bahama shutters are more aesthetically pleasing than regular aluminum hurricane shutters. Bahama shutters are very attractive and do a great job at enhancing the look of your home. They can be customized to blend into your home and the overall look and feel, giving lasting curb appeal to your property. Design variety: Bahama shutters are usually made out of sturdy aluminum, but they can also be made out of wood. Some people choose wood, but most people prefer aluminum because of its long-lasting properties. Bahama shutters can be made to fit almost any window shape and size. Bahama shutters come in a variety of colors to either match the color of your home or to provide a little bit of color.