Window shutters were originally created to keep out the elements and to allow a degree of privacy in the home.

It isn’t certain, but many believe the original window shutters came from ancient Greece and were made with marble louvres.  These shutters were ideal for keeping out the heat but were expensive to make.  However, the trend quickly caught on and spread throughout the Mediterranean where the material was changed to wood to be more affordable for the masses.  This had the added advantage that the wood could be coloured to match or contrast with the home and made individual to the owner’s taste.

Later, the louvres were adapted so they could be moved to adjust to the owner’s taste for the amount of light and air they let in.

By the time of the Tudors and the Elizabethans, the shutters had been altered again when they tried glass shutters.  Again, this was more expensive so they started to have the upper half made of glass and the bottom half was made of wood.  This construction meant the windows stayed shut.

With the invention of the hinge, the solid wood was replaced with glazed glass that could be opened and window shutters then became more decorative, used on the inside of the windows.

In the Victorian period, this is when people started to use shutters outside the windows for decorative purpose, and it is still an attractive feature many people like to use now.

When looking round for window shutters, regardless of the style and the colour you choose, many people worry about how they can maintain the neat, overall effect that decorative shutters give.

In the days when window shutters were originally introduced, houses were all uniform and the window openings were the same size, however, in today’s modern society this is no longer the case.  Many homes have different sized windows throughout, so what do you do if you want window shutters?

Following the below steps will ensure you get the desired look:

Keep all the shutters to the same width.

If you must vary the width for whatever reason, try to have one width on the ground floor and another on the first floor.

Make sure the windows are measured properly.  Follow the guidelines given on the site and measure outside the window and always measure both sides because many windows are uneven.

When deciding what colour to have your shutters you’ll need to consider two factors, the architecture of your home and the style of the properties in your neighbourhood.

Historical, classical styles homes such as Georgian architecture benefit from shutters in the same original colour schemes as the homes.

Victorian properties tend to be more colourful and vibrant, thus colouring your shutters can be a skilled job and requires a professional colourist.

More modern properties tend to have richer colour schemes so require shutters to match.

Whichever colours you opt for when choosing colour schemes for your window shutters, be sure that the colours are in keeping with your property and the properties in your neighbourhood.

Two of the most popular materials for window shutters are vinyl, and the more traditional wooden variety. Which material suits you best depends on the style and décor of your home, as well as how much maintenance you’re willing to do.

Vinyl shutters are definitely the cheaper option for anyone on a tight budget, but don’t let their inexpensive nature fool you into thinking they’re of poorer quality; vinyl shutters can last a very long time. They also require very little care as just a light wash once in a while will suffice.

Visually vinyl shutters can look as good as wooden ones too, so long as you don’t look too closely.

Wooden shutters are also relatively cheap as the material isn’t that expensive to buy. They make for the most attractive shutters too as wood is very flexible. The biggest disadvantage with wooden shutters is that they require the most maintenance, forcing you to care for them regularly with paint or wood stain.

Whichever you choose, both vinyl and wooden shutters will make an attractive addition to your home.