Shutters are a popular window treatment dating back many years but remain a current and coveted trend in home décor and window covering. Our custom shutters have so many versatile options you can choose from to ensure they are a perfect fit for anything from your old windows to new windows, Victorian or Colonial style windows, high ceiling windows, dormer windows and more.
 

Our last blog post explored in detail the vertical rails on a shutter panel, called stiles. Now, let’s take a look at the solid top and bottom rails, and the optional mid-rail. What are the specs on these, how do they reinforce structural integrity, and why is it important when designing your shutters?  

A shutter panel swings opened and closed on a hinge, like a door, and has moving slats that open and close to control the light when the panels are closed. Holding everything in place on your shutter panel are the stiles. Stiles are the left and right vertical rails that hold the slats in place and connect to the solid top and bottom rails to comprise your shutter panel. Let’s look more at why this is important and what this means for the design and operation of your shutters.  

For windows with a protruding sill or ledge at the bottom, we often get asked how to take this into consideration when ordering custom plantation shutters. Sills do not restrict your ability to install a shutter or even to have a full 4-sided frame around your shutter unit (or 3 sides for café style shutters which leave the top open).
 

When it comes to fitting your bathroom windows with the best window covering, shutters check all the boxes whether it be affordability, quality, style, or practicality. At 40% less than MSRP for our DIY shutters, and with stunning style and elegance why not choose shutters? If you need more convincing, here we highlight two major benefits specifically for bathroom windows that give shutters a clear edge – their flexible privacy options along with their ease of cleaning.

There are a few simple, smart choices you can make when choosing plantation shutters for large windows. Don't let the large size intimidate you! If you are covering a large window with plantation shutters, have a read through our tips to consider.

Plantation shutters are hands down the longest lasting window treatment out there. They will outlast any curtains, blinds or shades, not to mention they will offer privacy, style and increasing property value.

DIY plantation shutters are an easy installation, especially when using one of our provided frames to mount the shutter panels on to. Simply mount the frame to your window and drop in the hinge pin to connect the  already installed hinges from the shutter panels to the frame. There are some cases where you may not want or be able to use a frame. In these instances, we are happy to offer a frameless “panels only” option.

One of the many benefits of our wooden plantation shutters is just how easy the installation process is, as wood is easily sanded to adjust for any size or shaped windows. Wood as a material is also very easy to repair, more so than waterproof vinyl shutters.

Here at The Shutter Store we strive to make the DIY journey as smooth as possible. From start to finish our order review and confirmation process are designed to double check your shutter order, ensuring they'll be a good fit for your windows. Our customers full participation is required for a successful shutter journey. By following our measuring guides and asking questions whenever in doubt, we promise your shutters will be a beautiful fit. We've put together some tips to help avoid some common DIY mistakes.

When dressing the smaller windows in your home with indoor shutters, to maximize the visibility from your windows as well as the aesthetic design, you can make a few design choices in proportion to your small window.

Colonial style homes are popular particularly in southern and eastern United States. Their distinguished by their symmetrical lines and multi-paned smaller windows throughout the house with the detailed molding which surrounds the windows on the interior.

Our plantation shutters are custom-made, and the beauty with these is that there's no such thing as a standard window or standard installation. We've had customers who have used plantation shutters to cover room dividers, closet doors, kitchen cabinets and more. When you're installing a set of shutters, the material that you're installing on is also important to consider. Are you installing shutters on brick or concrete, or anything that's not just a wood-cased drywall? 

Plantation shutters feature slats, you might refer to them as louvers, and they rotate open and closed, controlling the level of privacy and sunlight in the room. We talk you through how tilt rods work, they connect the slats to one another so that multiple slats move up and down all at the same time. There are options to consider, and with these options comes the pros and cons.

When you're planning on getting DIY shutters for your windows, an important thing to consider is the choice of mount - installing plantation shutters can be done as either an inside or outside mount. Inside mounts fit inside the recessed depth of your window opening, it's a popular choice as the shutters will sit snug to the wall. Our inhouse shutter expert, Yasmeen takes you through some key elements when you're looking at inside mounts for shutters.

You may be familiar with the terms, slats and louvers, probably the most commonly used words when it comes to plantation shutters. Whether you've heard the words before or not, it's essential to know how size choices can make all the difference. Yasmeen tells us about the best selling slat sizes and also about the louver sizes that are no longer a thing.

What happens with the window measurements, a question we get asked regularly. Ask Yasmeen answers your frequently asked questions about plantation shutters.

Should you go for bi-folding panels or single hinge panels? Considering this is a core element in the design process of your shutters, it's worth understanding what each option is plus what their benefits are. Yasmeen answers one of our most popular questions, and takes you through what to consider.

Yasmeen answers another one of our most frequently asked question: how can t-posts help with large window shutters? Read our helpful and simple guide on what a difference t-posts can make when it comes to large window shutters.

Do you need a frame when fitting your shutters? Yasmeen answers a popular question amongst shutter-shoppers - why are shutter frames so essential.

Another popular question we get asked, is "what makes your 'shutter experts' experts?". Yasmeen takes us through what sets The Shutter Store's experts aside from the other shutter companies out there, and importantly, how we work hard at being the best choice.

DIY home projects like interior shutters can sound daunting, but it doesn't have to be. A common fear that many customers have is what happens if something goes wrong? Our shutter specialists are here from start to finish, to guide you with maintenance and troubleshooting - you're also protected by our 36 month warranty. Yasmeen answers a frequent question our team are asked: What does my warranty cover?

Yasmeen answers your most frequently asked questions. One question that people often have when it comes to ordering their plantation shutters, is "should I go for less panels or more?". Read our helpful guide of what to consider when choosing your panels.

Yasmeen answers our most frequently asked questions. For friendly and honest advice, Ask Yasmeen! Today, Yasmeen answers "Are The Shutter Store's shutters manufactured in the USA?"

Shutters are a long-term investment for any home and a big concern is whether or not they will warp, expand or contract when exposed to harsh sunlight, weather conditions, and/or moisture. Here’s everything you need to know for your peace of mind on why our shutters don’t warp!