What is A Window Shutter?

A window shutter is a window covering that consists of side stiles, top and bottom rails and louvers. It is a classic window covering that is used for privacy and controlling the amounts of heat and air that are circulated into a room. A window shutter is sometimes used to cover a window on its own or several individual shutter panels can be hinged together to create a folding unit. As a general term window shutter it refers to both interior window shutters (those fitted inside the window frame) and exterior window shutters (those fitted outside the window frame.)

An interior window shutter can be described as a semi-opaque window covering that can block the entire outside world when it is closed. Usually they are hinged to the jamb of the window so that they can swing open to allow air or light to enter the room. Some models of window shutter also have movable lovers that can be opened or closed to adjust the level of light or visibility.

Louvers are basically the slats inside panels of the shutters that filter the light. In most styles the size of the window shutter louvers are one and one quarter of an inch. Plantation and Bahama style shutters may have wider louvers. Of course you can also buy interior window shutters that don’t moved.

The interior window shutter is also available in several different configurations. Single tier shutters have one panel from top to bottom. Double ties units consist of two panels from top to bottom that can be manipulated individually from one another. A horizontal divider rail may be used to create a top and bottom louver section in a single panel or atilt bar can be used for adjusting the louver position and to keep them in an even and uniform position.

The exterior window shutter can be functional or non functional. Many are purely decorative however their original purpose was to control light, provide privacy and protect from the elements. They also would help to shed rain and could swing open or closed as desired.

Both the exterior and interior wooden shutters can be constructed from variety of different types of woods, which can be painted or stained, aluminum and also many different types of synthetic materials.

An exterior hurricane shutter or storm window shutter is used to protect windows and doors in a building against the effects of high winds, rain, and flying objects during a hurricane. They can also function as security gates for the window. These strong window shutters can be made of a variety of materials such as aluminum panels, iron, or wood and can be installed in tracks that can be quickly opened and closed manually or by using motorized controls.

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