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Interior Design & Decor
Decorating With Interior Shutters
There is more than one way to dress up a
window. Sure most people think of curtains and drapes because they
are often ready made and easily hung. What they might not realize is
that interior shutters are a beautiful, traditional window treatment
that can be used with or without other types of window dressings.
Interior Shutters Versus Blinds & Shades
There are window coverings and window dressings or treatments. Both
serve different purposes and add to the overall look of the décor.
To the untrained in decorating (which may account for most husbands)
a shade or blind that blocks out light and provides privacy may seem
like a complete window treatment. There can be decorative blinds or
shades, but their primary purpose is light control and privacy.
Window dressing on the other hand is what creates a complete look
for the window and the entire room’s décor. A valance or curtain is
the decorative element on top of the functional shade. With interior
shutters you have a little bit of both – function and frill.
Shutters will block out light, even act as an insulator for the
window, but they are also quite decorative. The shutters are made of
a variety of materials from wood to PVC, and act just as a metal or
wooden blind would.
Interior shutters differ in purpose from exterior shutters.
Originally shutters were used to protect a home’s windows from the
wind of a hurricane or cold of a winter storm. Now most exterior
shutters are purely decorative in nature.
Installing Shutters
If you can master home improvement projects of average difficulty
then you can install your own interior shutters. This is a DYI
project that can be completed in very little time and with basic
tools.
If you are doing an interior mount – that is on the inside of a
window box, then you are all set with secure 2x4 studs to securely
hold shutter screws. Those that are hung outside the frame of the
window may require drywall anchors or careful placement into a stud
to ensure stability. Normal hinges are used to hand the shutter and
can be screwed into place first. Then the shutter slips into the
grooves of one side of hinge and a pin holds it all in place.
Finishing & Caring for Shutters
You can pre-prime and paint shutters before installing them. This
makes it easy to finish the shutter with no mess inside the house.
To clean the shutters, a duster or soft rag does the job nicely.
Vinyl shutters never need painting, but a good cleaning with warm,
soapy water from time to time in order to removed build up dust or
dirt.
Interior shutters add a warm, traditional feel to any home. Large
slated shutters, often called Plantation Shutters, get their name
from the old southern plantations. The thinner slats are more
commonly found inside and out of the old New England colonial style
homes. Solid wood shutters also provide a decorative look consistent
with our American heritage.
About the Author: D. Benjamin is the owner of
iapsales.com LLC - a family business specializing in HVAC products. We
are distributors of
Qmark Heaters,
electric tankless water heaters,
bathroom heaters,
patio heaters, electric heaters,
portable air
conditioners & electric towel warmers. Shop on line at
www.heateroutlet.com for these great home improvement products.
Iapsales.com LLC was established in 2003 and is the sister company to
Innovative Air Products located in historical Exeter, NH. We are a 2nd
generation manufacturers’ rep firm dedicated to providing residential &
commercial heating, ventilation and air-conditioning equipment. We offer
a great selection online at the lowest prices anywhere. We can also be
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