Probably everyone has heard about the proverb “My home is my castle.” Shutters help turn your home into an impregnable bastion. Their history goes back hundreds of years. Today they are coming back into fashion. Beautiful shutters for windows are installed not only in country estates and dachas, but also in city apartments.
Such an architectural detail serves as a reflection of individuality. Until relatively recently, the patterned design on the shutters indicated the level of well-being of the owner of the home, and the primary purpose of installing the shutters was to protect the house from burglary.
Now many people choose shutters purely from an aesthetic point of view, although no one has canceled their security function. From this article you will learn how to properly install shutters with your own hands and what you should pay special attention to.
Purposes of installing shutters
Typically, such architectural elements are installed with the following goals in mind:
- Protecting your home from burglars.
- Reduced heat loss during cold months.
- Protection from drafts and atmospheric phenomena.
- Protection from summer heat.
- Emphasizing the design of the building.
- Reduced noise levels.
- Adjusting room lighting.
Materials for production
You need to choose depending on your functional intentions and material capabilities.
Metal shutters are generally used for outdoor use. They are durable, reliable and serve the owner for a very long time. Home protection is 100% complete. Can be:
- in the form of shields (panelboards),
- roller shutters,
- paneled,
- blinds-shutters (movable and sliding version).
Some types have built-in locks. The forged metal element greatly decorates the window. The disadvantages of this type are that the models are expensive, the metal can rust, installation is quite complicated and a powerful fastener is required.
Wooden material will be the best pattern and appearance. When choosing it, it is necessary to pay attention to the influence of weather factors (moisture resistance, rotting, drying out, etc.).
The big advantages will be:
- no installation difficulties,
- multifunctionality,
- excellent aesthetics (the shutter looks very nice),
- application outside and inside.
The disadvantages include insufficient protection of the premises, the need for treatment on a regular basis from the influence of weather conditions and high cost.
The plastic finish is suitable for installation under any windows. Such shutters are usually used for interior decoration.
Advantages of this type:
- immunity to weather conditions,
- easy installation,
- sufficient strength, lightness and cost,
- They do not require special care.
Weak protection function, fragility and some uniformity of design are considered disadvantages.
What materials are shutters made from?
How to choose good shutters for windows? First of all, you need to decide on the material. Today the sashes are made:
Made of wood
The most common type of shutter. They are distinguished by environmental friendliness, durability, resistance to ultraviolet radiation and temperature changes, and moisture resistance.
The ideal wood species for their manufacture are oak, cedar and walnut. Birch and linden are considered more budget-friendly options.
The disadvantage is the need for regular preventative maintenance, including antiseptic treatment and painting.
Made of metal
Such shutters can be solid or lathed and equipped with external or mortise hinges. The latter version of the loops is more reliable.
To prevent corrosion damage, the sashes must be secured in such a way as to prevent moisture from getting between them and the window glass.
Made of plastic
Plastic shutters do not have a protective function. But they perfectly protect from bright sunlight and drafts, and also protect from prying eyes. They are characterized by a long service life, a variety of design solutions, ease of maintenance and low cost.
Thus, if you want to protect your home, then choose wooden or metal shutters for windows, and if you just want to decorate, then plastic models will do.
Which ones are suitable for PVC windows?
When choosing shutters for plastic windows, you need to take into account several points, including material, degree of protection and aesthetic appearance.
Wooden shutters
Wooden structures are classics, because even in ancient times people used them to decorate their huts. In addition to the aesthetic function, wooden shutters also have a protective function. They prevent burglars, cold and bad weather from entering the house.
Wooden shutters for plastic windows
For the manufacture of wooden structures, spruce and linden are most often used. But this does not exclude the use of other types of wood that have increased resistance to weather influences. Wooden products with carvings have a very attractive appearance.
But wooden structures have their own disadvantages, which include:
- rotting if the wood is not treated on time;
- the occurrence of mold and mildew;
- low resistance to mechanical influences;
- Once a year it is necessary to treat the surface of the wood with antiseptics and varnish.
But what kinds of wooden shutters there are for windows in the country, and how to install them correctly.
Metal
Over time, metal shutters began to be made for PVC windows. It is practically impossible to hack such structures. In addition, they can be made in completely different shapes: from round to triangular. Metal products can be solid or lath type. You can give your products a beautiful look using forged elements.
Metal
Thanks to them, the shutters acquire strict and refined lines. Opening or closing is carried out only from the inside. There should be no handles or locks on the outside. The disadvantages of metal shutters for PVC windows include heavy weight, durable fastening and susceptibility to rust. You can find out more about metal shutters for garden windows here.
PVC shutters
Today, shutters made of a similar material can be used for PVC windows. But such designs perform an exclusively aesthetic role. To obtain them, both plastic and other high-tech materials are used.
PVC shutters for plastic windows
Read about how to adjust plastic windows for the winter at this link.
They do not have the disadvantages that wood and metal have, therefore, they have a long service life. PVC shutters are available in a wide variety of shades and shapes. In this case, you can choose a product with imitation of various building materials. The installed structures do not lose their attractiveness even after several years.
But before you order shutters for PVC windows, you need to take into account the architectural design of the entire building. This is due to the fact that PVC shutters play an aesthetic role. If you choose the right design, shade and material, you can make your home stand out and give it an original and expressive look. At the same time, it is worth paying attention to comfort and energy saving. It is also worth learning more about modern window shutters
Installation subtleties
Instructions for installing window shutters can be easily found online. But so that the result does not disappoint you, you need to carefully study the following features of their installation:
- The canvases must be securely fastened in the window opening.
- You need to drill holes very carefully so as not to damage the facade of the house.
- The anchor cartridge should fit into the wall as tightly as possible.
- Hinges must meet the requirements imposed by the weight of the sashes.
- Locks must be installed from the inside - this will protect them from being hacked.
When choosing a design solution for shutters, make sure that it is in harmony with the exterior of the building. Metal doors can be decorated with forged elements. Carving is suitable for wooden models, and plastic ones are beautiful in themselves.
Internal window shutters
These shutters decorate the interior decoration of the premises. This is their main function. For practical use, wood finishes are most suitable. This is a natural, natural material without environmental contraindications. Does not require special care and very refreshes the room. This is a classic option; for attractiveness and durability it is recommended to cover it with colorless varnish.
Plastic shutters can also be used as an alternative to blinds. The differences from wooden ones will be the price (plastic ones are cheaper) and the duration of use. Otherwise the functionality is almost the same. They can be sliding or hinged and even remotely controlled.
Metal blinds are not often used. This is explained by the disadvantages - strong heating in the summer, frequent breakdowns. They are used as a protective barrier against illegal entry into the premises.
All these types act as decoration elements.
What functions do shutters perform?
Protection from the sun and unauthorized entry is the main purpose of shutters. They also almost always carry a decorative load, so in the vast majority of cases high demands are placed on their aesthetics. In addition, window shutters allow you to:
- reduce heat loss through windows;
- reduce the level of noise coming from the street;
- provide protection from strong winds.
Depending on the modification, shutters have different locking methods, but basically almost all structures are closed from the inside. They have different shapes and are installed both inside and outside buildings. Currently, single- and double-leaf swing shutters, sliding/folding “Accordion” structures, sliding systems on guides, and vertically rising models are widely used. All these shutters are divided into stationary and removable.
Single-leaf shutters are mainly installed on small windows or in openings in production and warehouse areas. Most often, metal is used to make such structures.
Louvered shutters
Louvered shutters are popular among many homeowners. They are lightweight and can provide protection from penetration, sunlight and overheating. Today, manufacturers offer louvered shutters for windows made from different materials:
- metal;
- wooden;
- plastic.
These models can have any opening method and are suitable for installation both inside and outside buildings. Depending on the design features, the lamellas located inside the frames can be stationary or movable, which allows you to regulate the supply of light to the interior spaces.
There are special electric drives on sale that allow you to remotely control the shutters. It is very comfortable. Especially when the doors are closed from the street.
Conclusion
It is obvious that shutters are a very useful and quite attractive item for a modern interior or exterior. A variety of types, materials and shapes allows you to choose exactly what you need to protect the room from the sun, prying eyes and even burglars. Modern systems are not very expensive, unless we are talking about hand-carved wood or complex and non-standard assembly.
You can even make some types of window structures yourself. True, this work is painstaking and has a number of nuances, but the result is a unique product that meets all the features of the window opening.
How to use interior shutters indoors?
Wooden shutters are a unique decorative element that can fit into any room. There are even special options for bathrooms and baths. Such lamellas are usually coated with a special varnish or paint that does not form fungus. This decor can be an excellent alternative to conventional blinds. Shutters are also good because they do not completely cover the window openings. Thanks to this, fresh air will always penetrate into the room.
Thanks to internal shutters, you can decorate not only window openings, but also any other openings indoors. Often, designers use shutters to separate different areas of a studio apartment. And this is very convenient, especially if the owner does not have the opportunity to build new walls, but it is still necessary to divide the space in the house.
As for the aesthetic side, the shutters look very stylish and fashionable. Thanks to such a simple decorative element, a cozy atmosphere is created in any home.
As you can see, shutters for window openings are a fairly profitable option that can be safely used to create different styles.
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DIY wooden window shutters
Making wooden shutters with your own hands is not that difficult. There are many examples with photos where this process is described and shown step by step. To do this you will need tools and boards (you can use old ones). You will also need to make a sketch of the window opening. Use regular loops.
You can take any boards, but they must be free of defects. They must be pre-treated - trimmed with a plane and soaked in antiseptics. The set of tools is standard.
The boards must be adjusted to the size of the frame and connected tightly. When the shutters are knocked down, they should be sanded, painted and varnished.
Now you need to install the locking mechanism (rolling bolt, hook or lock) and screw the awnings. Then attach the shutters to the frame, level them using a level and attach them using self-tapping screws.
