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Exterior Windows

Shutters, no shutters, or some shutters?

5 years ago

I would like to know any thoughts and/or opinions on shutters for this house.
Sorry about the tractor in the way. There is a single window right behind the tractor that is the same length as the double windows.

Featured Answer

Denita

5 years ago

You have room on the single windows to add the right sized shutters, but not on the double windows. Don't use the Home Depot/Lowes skinny shutters. The shutters are supposed to be sized so that each shutter covers half the window and appears functional, even if it isn't. Here is a brief article so you can see what they are supposed to look like - along with examples of terrible "shudders" seen everywhere: https://www.lifeofanarchitect.com/residential-architecture-101-shutters/

Insp pics below.

Capitol View · More Info

Our Work · More Info

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Comments (14)

PRO
Windows on Washington Ltd
5 years ago
Whats the exterior cladding going to be? If you don't have any other accents on there, you are going to need to splash in a bit of variance out there to break up the field.
Sammy
5 years ago
Only if they’re operational.
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Thank you all for your feedback and points to ponder. A siding contractor was here yesterday. We'll meet with him again in the next few weeks. How much we accomplish this year ( siding, soffit/facia/gutters, roof, door, bow window, garage door) will depend on cost. This exterior is original, about 46 years old. . The siding and shutters are aluminun. Yes, we would have the window trim widened If we do away with the shuttes. At this point, the siding color will stay close to what is here now to work with the brick, photo below. There is no public sidwalk but there is a walk from the driveway to the front door. Re: changing the door and sidelights - the house faces south. I'd like full sidelights to bring more light inside but am concerned about fading of the hardwood floor at the entry. Is this a valid concern? What style door/garage door for this mid-70's split level? I've seen shutter size mentioned a number of times in this forum. Is there a rule of thumb for determining shutter size or window trim width so all is well proportioned? If if we opt to keep the shutters, would a color closer to the color of the siding look better than okay?
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I agree that the landscaping looks a little bare-did someone go through and already get rid of items that lined the house? Maybe an over zealous partner? :) Also wonder about the black door. Personally, a blue door with a gabled awning would add a really nice WOW factor to your home. I otherwise worry it might look too similar to others in your neighborhood.
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Comments (8)
remove shutters, unless they're the right size for the windows. paint the front door a diff color, reduce those hedges in front of windows and redo the flower beds. here are some pics of the flower beds that would nice w/your home A lot of these pics are shown w/shutters. But look at the overall landscaping and door design
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Molly Giles
Original Author
5 years ago
@Denita, thank you so much for this information!
Molly Giles
Original Author
5 years ago
@Window on Washington, we will be using a hardie board siding painted SW smoky blue. I would like to use cedar columns and cedar shutters. How would it look with the shutters only on the single windows, but not on the double?
Denita
5 years ago
Some examples of homes with right sized shutters on only the appropriate windows are posted below.
Urban Four-Square · More Info

Exteriors · More Info

^Notice that the shutters on the double window and double door are wide enough to cover the window space.
Molly Giles
Original Author
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Denita, this has been helpful, thank you!!
bondia
4 years ago
Denita, what are the appropriate windows to put shutters on? How do you know? Thank you from a beginner.
Denita
4 years ago
I'm sorry, I just saw this.

Take a look at this brief article from an architect that illustrates the size and location of proper shutters: https://www.lifeofanarchitect.com/residential-architecture-101-shutters/

Here is another, more detailed article for you: https://www.oldhouseguy.com/all-about-shutters/

Once you have seen the right size shutters on the right windows, you notice all the cheapo installations especially by builders. It is hard to unsee.
bondia
4 years ago
Thanks, Denita, I will read these. I'm just starting to really look at shutters and I'm already seeing a couple of my old ones are wrong which I never realized before. You're right, can't unsee. Thanks so much.
bondia
4 years ago
Sorry, Denita, one more question, the articles don't address this but you have alluded to it - If you have windows that look good with shutters but also have some that shutters can't work on, on the same side of the house, is it OK to put shutters on the ones that can take them and leave the others without? That doesn't look weird? This would be my situation on all three sides of my house with windows.
Denita
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Yes you can put the right sized shutters on the appropriate windows and leave them off of the windows that aren't appropriate even if it is on the same side of the house. Houzz has many examples, scroll through so you can see. ETA: Here is one below with shutters on the appropriate windows and none on the windows that won't work (lower left).
French Country Home · More Info

Trimmed to Perfection · More Info

^This one above has shutters on the first floor only.
bondia
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Thank you, Denita, that's interesting, something I'd never thought of or noticed. I'll do that.
Florida Shutters & Blinds
2 years ago
Shutters would add visual interest. What did you decide to do?

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