Some people might argue over politics or what kind of music is appropriate for a wedding reception, but what people who love architecture argue about is shutters. They argue about everything from the proper shutter-to-window ratio to whether hinges and shutter dogs have to be functional. It’s pretty amusing to see the kind of heated dialogue that can happen in comment sections. So, let’s talk about it.
We recently installed vinyl shutters on our house, selecting a size and scale that matched the existing shutters on other windows and likely the original shutters on this 1970 brick ranch house. I did this knowing full well that they are not proper shutters. Most of the shutters on American homes built in the last 50 years aren’t proper shutters. Most of them are strictly decorative, and they aren’t even trying to pretend that they are functional shutters. Americans collectively decided somewhere along the line that that’s okay. If we want to see real shutters, we go to Europe.
And, they do shutters so well!
I am inclined to agree with shutter purists that exterior shutters should at least attempt to resemble those that could close if they were on hinges. Meaning, they are appropriately scaled to the size of the window. I think the issue is that when a house isn’t designed that way, it often doesn’t work. It ends up looking more contrived than faux shutters.
For example, shutters sized to appear as if they would close on these windows would look good. They would make sense. They would end up being a little crowded due to their proximity, but it could work.
On these windows, though, it would be a problem. The shutters would be so large, they would look ridiculous. This window simply wasn’t designed to accommodate functional exterior shutters.
That being said, I think the shutters visually work, even though they aren’t architecturally correct. I think they are successful because the house was originally designed for faux shutters. If you install faux shutters on an older home that once had fully functioning shutters, that might look off and like a shortcut.
If I had my druthers, all homes would be designed and built with functioning interior shutters. It would be even better if they fold and tuck into the trim. Those old shutters are so practical and beautiful.
Let’s take a minute to appreciate shutters for what they were intended to be…
This is actually a home built just a few years after ours, but you can tell it was designed by someone who appreciated classical architecture and wanted to honor that in the details, like fully operational shutters with shutter dogs.
With all of that being said, I think we can appreciate faux shutters on newer homes for what they are intended to be, as well – a cost-effective architectural nod to the past.
7 Responses
When buying a home, the type of shutter has been the last thing on my mind, and it seems to me that working shutters on the homes I have owned, would have been more problems than they would have been worth here in the central states. To me, vinyl shutters have the advantage of being lightweight in case you want to change color in future years, and it’s for sure that they won’t suffer from rot! In a way, it’s kind of like having your cake and eating it too. 🙂
I love~love ~love shutters!!!! I don’t care if they are for “real”…they are just so charming !!!! I like to think of my home style as cottage….so they are a must for me. In fact I am in the process of getting some new ones at this time.
Have a great trip!!! Can’t wait to see all the goodies you come home with.
OMG, I cannot believe you had to use a blog on this topic but obviously you got enough comments that you felt you did. I’m sorry for that. Newer homes, newer rules. Re-muddled old homes totally different thing. Love your sutters and the fact you put them on all your windows.
Many architectural features are there simply for the aesthetic appeal and some have evolved from something that was once practical. Whether purposeful or just pretty, I love the look of your shutters.
Have always adored “real” operational shutters. Never had them, never will – but it is an interest topic. Yours look fabulous and the green is perfect against your brick. And those pics of real shutters – so gorgeous. Hope you take a lot more on this work/vacay to share with us. The one with the cat is a winning pic to be sure.
I don’t generally like faux shutters that are styled, or on a property styled, from a completely different location, like an Austrian chalet in a suburban UK (in my case) town.
My brother lived in an apartment in Bath in a converted town house, which had the original interior shutters that folded into the window embrasure. They were beautiful.
But, in the UK, I can’t stand internal vented shutters in a normal house because they block so much light, even with the slats opened. I haven’t had the luck to live in a proper Victorian townhouse with 12’ ceilings, but I think I’d still prefer a voile.
I don’t think I’ve seen a photo of your property without any shutters, but I think yours work when you, as you say, accept it as a deliberate act to add faux shutters. And the colour you chose works well.
Faux shutter are just a frame for the window to me. We know they’re not functional, but they still add a bit of style and color. They’re like drapes but on the outside. Windows often look sad and undersized without anything to frame them!