For centuries, shutters have been an integral part of the traditional North-American home. Still, for years of beauty and durability, shutters can be the most elegant window coverings in our time. Here are 17 reasons why you have to consider installing window shutters in your home.
1). Attractiveness of the exterior and interior of your home – “Curb Appeal”
One of the main benefits of this type of window treatments is that they look great and make your home beautiful and cozy. Whether you live in a house, mansion, downtown condo apartment or basement, shutters are the greatest solution for more comfortable living and enhancing your existing interior. Despite your tastes or style, they can add depth, warmth, beauty and ambiance to any room.
2). 100% Custom-made
Usually, high quality shutters are 100% custom-made because the panels are matching and complimenting your existing window trim the best way possible. As every window or door is different, it is important to realize what precisely you are looking for. Shutters can perfectly fit in bow and bay windows, windows with arch, and French doors with arch and also available in horizontal and vertical louvers.
3). Long lasting
Shutters are high quality products made of cellular polymer derived from the natural gas. It is a solid wood-like component that does not look like plastic. They are strong, rigid, durable and will last a lifetime, much longer than wood or vinyl ones. They will never warp, chip, crack, fade, split peel, or yellow and they are almost impossible to break because they are aluminum reinforced and bolted together.
4). Perfect light and privacy control
- Offer complete control over light and privacy
- Provide with the most beautifully diffused light
- Give protection against the UV rays
- Improve ventilation
5). Quick and easy opening and shutting mechanism
6). Easy to clean
Just dust it like furniture or wipe with a damp cloth … actually, with almost anything!
7). Energy savings
Shutters are energy efficient window treatments. By installing shutters you can save up to 40% of heating costs in the winter time and up to 20% of cooling costs in summer.
8). Shutters colour options
- painted with the latest acrylic paint that will never get yellowish
- do not look like plastic
- give you the rich look of fine wood without wood’s inherent problems
- never need to be repainted, unless you want a change (then it can be done easily)
- paintable without need for sanding
9). Moisture resistant
Shutters are moisture and hot resistant. They do not absorb water, not allow growing mold inside, and not get affected by high temperature, so you can install them over the kitchen sink, in the bathroom windows, near swimming pools, hot tubs, beaches or outside of the building in harsh climates.
10). Maintenance free
Quality shutters do not require maintenance at all! That is why it is a great option for one who wants quality and does not mind paying a little extra to get it.
11). Fire retardant, termite resistant
12). No harm to your and your loved ones health
13). Protection against vandalism and burglary
14). Fast to produce and assembled at the production facilities
15). 100% Recyclable
16). Lifetime warranty
Modern shutters are so well-built that you will never have to worry about anything.
17). Maybe you want to sell your home?
Last but not least, installing appropriately chosen and décor-complimenting shutters could be a great cost-effective idea to significantly increase the value and look of your property before selling.
Innovative technologies to produce shutters
Today, with the cutting-edge innovative technologies, old shutters have got a new twist.
The highest quality shutters are made of cellular synthetic derived from natural gas. It is a solid wood-like polymer that does not look like plastic. The manufacturing process begins with binding an aluminum core into the center channel of a cellular polymer piece (this technique is known as co-extrusion) to create a durable product with the inherent strength: stiffen and not flex. That gives an additional protection against high winds and storms, as well as improves the level of your home security.
To joint the shutter parts simple and strong mortise and tenon method is used: when the end of one of the members is inserted into a hole cut in the other member. (The end of the first member is called the tenon, and it is usually narrowed with respect to the rest of the piece. The hole in the second member is called the mortise. The connection may be glued, pinned, or wedged to lock it in place.)
Modern shutters have quick and easy opening and shutting mechanism. They have a new louver technology where one rack and pinion gear system connected together and concealed within the shutter, eliminating the need for a tilt rod. This offers a complete clear-view to the shutter.
Quality shutters are strong, rigid, durable and will last a lifetime, much longer than wood or vinyl ones. They will never warp, chip, crack, fade, split peel, or yellow and they are almost impossible to break because they are: aluminum reinforced, bolted together, resistant to moisture and hot environments, epoxy coated fasteners, painted with the latest acrylic paint that will never get yellowish, oxidized, or discoloured.
PVC shutters have health and safety issues
Polyvinyl chloride, commonly abbreviated PVC (in the U.S. it is known as vinyl), is a thermoplastic polymer, which is the third most widely produced plastic, after polyethylene and polypropylene. Over 50% of PVC manufactured is used in construction because it is cheap, durable, and easy to assemble. It can be made softer and more flexible by the addition of plasticizers, the most widely used being phthalates. The plasticizers make PVC harmful for your health.
Vinyl products including car interiors, shower curtains, flooring and other initially release chemical gases into the air. Some studies indicate that this may contribute to health complications. In February 2007, the Technical and Scientific Advisory Committee of the US Green Building Council (USGBC) released its report on PVC avoidance. The report concludes that the “risk of dioxin emissions puts PVC consistently among the worst materials for human health impacts.”
The Japanese car companies Toyota, Nissan, and Honda have eliminated PVC in their car interiors starting in 2007. A growing list of companies has committed to phase out PVC products and switch to safer, healthier products. Some of these companies include Bath and Body Works, IKEA, Johnson & Johnson, Microsoft, Nike, and Wal-Mart. The good news is that safer, cost-effective alternatives to PVC are readily available for virtually every use.
Green message
Often, people want wooden shutters because they look great and the best kind of wood for that is basswood. North-American basswood, Tilia Americana, is a large tree of eastern and central America. It is an important timber source, especially in the Great Lakes areas. The tree produces lots of nectar and is also well known as a honey or bee-tree, and the seeds and twigs are eaten by wildlife. It is commonly planted as a highly decorative and shade plant in any settlements.
In making a real wood shutter, more than 50 % of a tree is wasted before it even gets to your window.
Shutters made of natural gas minimize environmental negative impacts and save forests.
