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When looking for the best in window treatments, window shutters cannot be overlooked. They provide character, beauty, and protection to any home. Window shutters are of the flat panel type or the louver types. Louver shutters are those window coverings that have flat strips of material covering most of the shutter surface. These slats are set within the stiles and rails of a shutter frame.
The Different Materials for Window Shutters
The material for these louver shutters are wood, faux wood, vinyl, plastic, and even aluminum. The best of the wooden window shutters are made out of high quality hardwood material. New developments in materials technology have made available to us the different kinds of plastic and vinyl shutters for a more varied design choice. The modern materials come in ready made bright or subdued colors while wood louver shutters can be bought unfinished, stained, or painted.
The Window Shutter Slats
The slats of these louver shutters are either flat, wedge shaped as they are in traditional or colonial shutters, or elliptical as they are in plantation shutters. Window shutter types are defined by the size of their louver slats. Large louvers are usually seen on plantation or contemporary shutters while thinner louver slats are those seen on traditional or colonial shutters. Then there are the fixed and the adjustable slats of louver shutters.
The Fixed Window Louver Shutters
Most exterior window shutters have the fixed slat type. Some, like the board and batten, do not even have louvers. This is because most exterior window shutters are installed outside the house for protection against strong winds and the elements. The choices of adjustment for these are just to either open or close the whole shutter panel from the hinge. For the adjustable types, it is another matter.
The Adjustable Window Louver Shutters
Adjustable or movable slats are designed for light control, privacy, and beauty. With adjustable louver shutters, you can control the amount of light you want to enter your home. You can fully shut the slats for maximum privacy, or leave them half open for a view of the garden and yard. On cold days, these interior window shutters can help with the overall insulation of your home. On hot days, you can shut them for indoor air conditioning or open them to let in a cool breeze.
How It Works
The mechanism for adjustable louver shutters consists of a tilt bar, otherwise known as a rod. This is connected to the slats in such a way so that with a twist of the vertical rod, the shutters simultaneously rotate open one way and close the other way. Usually, louver shutters become fully closed when in the “up” position, and vice versa. There are also louver shutters with tilt bar mechanisms that are hidden from view.
All these little details about louver shutters are not able to describe the warmth and character that this type of window treatment can bring to a home; for nothing beats the look of sunlight streaming through the window shutters to your room.