Shutters often are wrong size or installed incorrectly

Dear Jerry: I never paid much attention to the shutters on our 1928 stucco home until the recent windstorm ripped five of them off!  When we retrieved the shutters, I realized they were a thin plastic that had cracked in many spots.  So now we want to replace them.

Do you have any advice about what to look for when purchasing shutters?  I suspect plastic ones may be a better — and less expensive — choice than wooden ones.  But are there recommended thicknesses, types (or brands) of materials?  Are there other points we should keep in mind?

Thanks for your help.  I love your column.

— L.Q., Rochester

Great questions about one of my pet peeves.  Most of the shutters that I see are either the wrong size, are installed incorrectly or are the wrong material.

First a couple of definitions.  Shutters can be installed inside or outside.  Blinds, on the other hand, are typically only installed inside the house.

Second, a word about size. Shutters were originally designed to protect windows or doors from storm damage, sun, or for protection against intruders.  Over the years, shutters have become more of a decorative item, but that is no excuse not to size them correctly.

Shutters should be the same size as the window opening.  Whether one or in a pair, when held up to the window they should fit as if they were going to be closed.   Most of the time I see shutters that are incorrect in length and/or width.  A pair of shutters should not be installed on a double window unless each shutter will cover a window.

Once you’ve determined the correct size, it’s time to select the type of shutters that you want.  Basically, the choices are louvered (either fixed or adjustable), solid panels (or a combination of louvers and panels), and board and batten.  Any of these would be appropriate for homes built in the 1920s and 1930s, although the board and batten style is more of a Craftsman look.  Solid panel shutters often have cut-outs of candles, pine trees, tulips, fleur-de-lis or other themes in the top panel.  A cruise around Brighton shows a plethora of designs, many with their original hardware.

Not all homes had shutters, including many Tudor Revivals.  Some homes had shutters on the second story but not on the first. To determine whether your house originally had shutters, take a close look at the trim surrounding the windows.  Unless the hardware is still in place, you should see the signs of former screw holes (since filled) that once secured the shutter hinges. If you can’t find any such telltale signs, then chances are there were no shutters.

On the other hand, if there were shutters originally, then you can certainly replace them.  Get rid of the plastic ones and replace them with the real deal. Shutters are available in a variety of woods and composite materials.  I’d choose wood such as pine, cedar or mahogany.  I suspect your windows are stock sizes so finding new shutters should not be an issue.  Prime and paint them carefully or order them pre-painted.  Shutters and related hardware are available from southernshutter.com, shuttercraft.com, and timberlane.com.  Southern Shutters are available locally from Morse Sash and Door.

Technically, fixed louvered shutters should be installed with the louvers facing up when open.  That way, when closed, the louvers will block rain and light.  Shutter hold backs, or “dogs,” are used to keep the shutters secured in the open position when not in use.  Shutter fasteners keep the shutters shut when closed.  Hardware is available in a variety of styles. Capping (copper or aluminum) on the top edge of shutters will prolong their life.

If all of this sounds too daunting (hopefully not!), then you could install fixed shutters without the operational hardware.  In this case, shutters should not be placed outside the window trim, as I suspect your plastic ones were. Instead they should be fastened to the window trim showing an inch or so of trim next to the window.  “Dummy” decorative hardware is available for this application too.

Quality wood shutters are not cheap. But what a fine statement they will make on your house.  Too, bad that the originals (if there were any) got tossed in the trash.  Good Luck!

Jerry Ludwig is a former contractor and home inspector.  He is an honorary member of the American Institute of Architects.  Email your house questions to jludwig@rochester.rr.com or write him at P.O. Box 25510, Rochester, NY 14625.  Please include the year your house was built and the town where you live.