The Complete Handbook of Shutters

Chapter 1: Understanding Shutters

At its most basic, a shutter is a solid or louvered covering for a window opening, hinged on one side, and sized to close completely over the glazing and frame. But this simple definition undersells the complexity involved in specifying and installing the correct product for a given location and purpose. As a building element, the shutter must perform simultaneously as a physical shield, a light and ventilation control device, and often a primary architectural feature. Understanding how these functions interact is the first step to making sound decisions in procurement and installation.

Consider a common scenario: a homeowner in a coastal New England town wants to replace their existing "decorative" vinyl shutters with real, operable shutters. If you are the contractor or consultant, the immediate issue is not aesthetics; it is the mounting condition. The existing vinyl shutters were not built to carry any structural load, so the window frame likely lacks the reinforced mounting points and clearance needed for a functional wood or composite panel. You need to understand the functional specifications of the shutter - its weight, hinge requirements, and projected wind load - before any work begins. This handbook takes that level of applied engineering knowledge and makes it practical.

The first and most important concept to grasp is the difference between functionality and ornamentation. Architectural history has left a continuum of products, from purely decorative hardware-store attachments to fully engineered storm panels. A four-panel arched-top louvered shutter for a Georgian colonial's