What are Louvered wood shutters?
Louvers refer to the individual slats or blades that rotate open and closed to control privacy and light-entry with your window shutters. While some shutters are fully solid panels, louvered shutters allow you to let light enter the room or look outside without fully swinging open the hinged shutter panel. The term “louvers” is interchangeable with “slats” when referring to these parts of a shutter.
What size are the louvers on shutters?
Older historic or colonial style shutters have very small louvers which means there are many louvers in each panel and not a lot of visibility through the slats even when they are fully open. Smaller louvers have fallen out of style and lost popularity among modern homes.
Plantation shutters have wider louvers for a more modern look, in a range of sizes.
2 ½" slats still give you the more traditional look with plenty of light able to come through when the slats are open, but still plenty of privacy as well. They are suitable for shallow windows or very short windows.
3” and 3 ½" slats are a popular middle-sized louver that gives you clean lines and are suitable for medium to tall height windows.
4 ½" slats give you the most modern / contemporary look, the most light-entry, and the most visibilty through the slats when they are open. They are great for tall windows and/or windows with a deep recess.
Do all plantation shutters have louvers?
While plantation shutters are louvered and are now the most popular window treatment, there are also full solid panel shutters. Solid raised panel or flat solid shaker shutters offer complete privacy, light blockage, and also offer the same insulation as plantation shutters and even a bit more noise reduction. Solid shutters are excellent for night shift workers or for those looking for the most room-darkening and privacy.
Louvered shutters however give you more flexibility and control over how much light and privacy you have by controlling the degree to which you rotate the louvers open or closed. You can also split the louvers into separately operable sections using a mid-rail, or a hidden tilt rod split so that the louvers move independently in upper and lower sections of the shutter.
Are all louvered shutters operable?
Generally speaking, yes. Our plantation shutters all have louvers that can be rotated up and down. They are designed for the louvers to close flat in the upward direction for maximum light blockage and privacy.
Some decorative or exterior shutters have non-functional fixed louvers for aesthetic only. While we do not carry exterior shutters, many of our customers order shutter panels for special projects such as closet doors, cabinets, or other room décor. By special request, our Classic Poplar Hardwood shutters can be made with fixed louvers so that they remain permanently fixed in either a closed position or open at a specific angle.
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For custom requests like fixed louvers, or for any questions on choosing the right louver size, contact our shutter experts for assistance. Our free color samples are cut from an actual 2 ½" louver and will give you a great visual of the material and color as well as an idea of what louver size may look best in your window. With our selection of plantation shutters, solid shutters, and even half-solid shutters, you are sure to find the style to fit your interior design vision!
This post was brought to you by Yasmeen, one of The Shutter Store USA's experienced shutter consultants.
Get in touch today for more advice on finding the perfect louvred shutters for your home this spring. If you're still unsure and have any questions, our friendly team of shutter experts are a call, chat or email away! Upload a picture of your window with your order or send it in to our support team for help designing your perfect shutters. We are here to help!