Window Shutters - Interior, Exterior, Blinds, Disc

Are Colonial Interior Window Shutters Right For Your Home?

Colonial window shutters are often found in more traditional, old fashioned style homes in America. They are commonly found on the interior part of the window. This acts to block out light as well as give the resident more privacy.

Characteristics

Colonial window shades are built with moveable slats (also called louvers). These are positioned horizontally along the frame. The purpose the slats is to rotate up or down. The degree to which they are rotated control how much light comes into the room. This is beneifical for a few reasons. They can deflect UV rays coming from the outside of the home. This helps to keep the home cooler and can decrease energy costs.

The slats along the frame are normally about 1-1.5 inches in width. This is significantly less than the plantation shutters which are traditionally found in the southern US. Plantation shutters have slats that are commonly 3-3.5 inches in width. The more narrow the slats the less light they allow in. This makes colonial shutters an ideal choice for anyone looking for increased light control as opposed to plantation blinds.

Because the slats are more narrow, these window treatments are great for temperature control, better privacy, and more light control.

Costs and Expenses

Interior Colonial shutters tend to be slightly less expensive than some of the premium blinds out there. You can expect to get them as cheap as $40 or you could also pay several hundred dollars. It all depends no what kind of style, size, design, and material you are looking for. You can get them as mini blinds or interior and exterior shutters as well.

Materials

They are typically made from wood of faux wood. Faux wood is a material that is made from vinyl and other polymers and given a finish that resembles real wood. Many people prefer faux wood because it is less expensive than real wooden blinds and is better at withstanding moisture and harsh weather. This is an obvious plus for anyone who is thinking about getting colonial shutters for the outside of their home. If you get them made in real wood you can get them from such materials as oak, cherry, maple, cedar, and teak.

Care and Maintenance

It is a good idea to get a feather duster for interior colonial window shutters and dust them once every week or two. This keeps the finish clean and prevents dust build up. Exterior colonial window shutters should be wiped down with a wet rag every once in awhile to prevent the build up of dust and mold.

Before you decide to get colonial window shutters for the interior or exterior of your home be sure that you know what color and style you are looking for. Many traditional designs are white or black colored because they can fit with just about any decor. You can go to a store like Lowes or Home Depot and will surely find a great selection. Good luck!