Plantation Shutter questions:

9 years ago

Do you recommend "inside mount" (inside the window frame) or "outside mount" (bulges out)? I prefer the look of the inside mount but was told that we needed outside mount due to our double hung tilt out windows. I guess I don't mind the outside mount for most windows, but was thinking of inside mount for the main room that faces the lake. Would that look weird? Can you still clean the window and access the window screen if you needed to from the outside?

Also, do you recommend one large panel or two panels for the normal 28" wide window? I was going to go with one, but then I thought about doing two panels at least for the windows facing the lake. I figured I would want an unobstructed view of the lake during the day, and that it might look better to have a smaller panel opened up on each side of the window during the day, then to have one large panel opened up against the wall. They do swing back all the way back to the wall don't they? Or do they stick straight out in front? As you can see, I have never had these type of shutters before! Any advice would be appreciated!

Featured Answer

Porter Edun

9 years ago

Surely, very hard to give a, "real" opinion other than what the imagination offers without a photo.

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Comments (7)

PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
9 years ago
Why would you want something that blocks 50% of the view facing the lake. I actually hate plantation shutters and would use solar shades for light and heat control and keep all of the view
kimmer69 thanked Patricia Colwell Consulting
Porter Edun
9 years ago
I actually love them... depends on the windows... if the depth of your window is very shallow they need to build it out. If you go with 4" louvers it allows a lot of light in and you can also open them completely..

However, photos of the windows might better let us know if it would not work to open them completely vs. just the louvers.

I live on Lake Erie and we have plantation shutters in some of our rooms. I love them. Much more popular in California and more Western than Mid West, but I'm from California and I love them.

the person that did the install for us said, "they are just barely coming in here and they've been so popular in the Western states for ages. People here like, "honeycomb or Pirouette shades". He actually sold all different shades and well...

It's all personal preference as you can see Patricia doesn't prefer them and I respect her thoughts on it!
kimmer69 thanked Porter Edun
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kimmer69
Original Author
9 years ago
Thank you both so much for taking the time to give me your input. Much appreciated!
PRO
ReMax - Lisa
9 years ago
I like them too, but agree that they aren't great for large picture windows. They are great in bedrooms as they are nice and dark for sleeping. Make sure that if you get inside mount, you can still properly clean your windows. I moved into a home once with the inside mount ones and had to have them removed to clean the double hung windows! For the large picture window I would do a roller blind that can be rolled up and out of the way all day and rolled down at night. You can hang drapes on the sides to dress it up.
kimmer69 thanked ReMax - Lisa
PRO
ReMax - Lisa
9 years ago
Also, on a very large window, the shutters are very bulky when opened up. They don't fold very flat
kimmer69 thanked ReMax - Lisa
Mike
9 years ago
Don't know if you have made a decision or not yet on the shutters but here are a few things to think about.

First is your view. Shutters do a very good job of creating a fairly unobstructed view because the louvers are so far apart. Most people find that they look right past the shutter so you don't have to worry about opening up the panels. In fact no one opens the panels except to open a window or to clean a window. Because of this I recommend that you go with 1 panel and get 3 1/2" louvers. If you get 2 panels, you will lose 4" of your view right down the middle of the window because the stiles. You don't say how tall the windows are but if they are shorter than 72" do not get a divider rail because it will block so of the view. You can get a split tilt rod to allow you to operate the top and bottom louvers separately though.

This shutter is an inside mount with a split tilt rod.

Now as for inside or outside mount I recommend you go with the outside mount. Many windows that tilt in are designed to be tilted in to remove the screen. Another benefit of you going with an outside mount is that it will increase the amount of view you have of the lake. Here is a link to a blog article about shutters and there is a link for a free eBook that will give you everything you would want to know about shutters.

https://dressthatwindow.com/beauty-of-shutters/

As for cleaning you won't have any problem because shutter panels are hinged to the frame and you will be able to open the shutter to clean the glass.

Good luck! It sounds like you have a great place to enjoy!
kimmer69 thanked Mike