Some Terminology to Learn Before Buying New Interior Timber Shutters

Before you go out to buy new shutters for your home, you might do well to familiarize yourself with some terms you might see when shopping. You may not realize the many different styles of shutters available, and may have one style in mind but aren't sure the term for it; knowing these things can make shopping for the right style of interior shutters easier on you overall.

Café shutters

These shutters cover just the lower half of a window. They can be good for kitchen windows when you want some privacy but still keep a view to the outside and allow in sunlight. They might also be used along with curtains, just to add style and a homey feeling to the space.

Double tier

These shutters have one set of panels on the top and one on the bottom. Each set moves independently of each other. This can allow you maximum control of the light and air you allow in the room; for example, you might open just the top set for more light while maintaining some privacy.

Board and batten

These shutters may have the most traditional look; while many shutters are made of individual slats, a board and batten style is made with one solid panel, and then a small board, called a batten, goes across this panel horizontally to give it support. Board and batten styles are often used for exterior shutters for maximum light blockage and protection for windows, but they can also be used inside when you want to create a rustic look for your windows.

California or Plantation

California style and plantation style shutters are marked by their wide slats that make the shutters more visually appealing. While they look similar, usually plantation shutters refers to those used for the exterior while California style shutters is the term used for the same shutters inside the home. For interior shutters, ask for California style and not plantation style.

Cutouts

If you've ever seen shutters made of a solid panel but with an anchor, palm tree, shape of a sun or half moon or other such design cut into the shutters, this is simply referred to as a cutout shutter. Many solid shutters will have these to break up the look of solid wood, to allow in some sunlight when the shutters are closed, and to just add a bit of whimsy to the shutters. For something fun and unique, ask about custom cutout shutters; opt for your name initial or another design that suits you.