Advice on shutters

8 years ago

The louver shutters on our Greek revival house from the 1830s are past repair (some were working shutters 15 years ago but others got screwed in for stability). The rambling additions to the house have some windows that didn't make sense for shutters. For budget reasons we are considering only replacing them on 5 windows in the formal front of the house (composite with historic looking hardware) and not some side windows that I feel should have them. I'd rather nice looking ones on the front than cheap ones on all 14 windows that had them in the past. Working wood replacements are out of budget. Lastly, we are considering switching to raised panel from louver, both types are common in New England. We are not designated as historic Thoughts? Pic with original shutters:

And sides

And current

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Comments (5)

Sammy
8 years ago
I’d have to see samples of the actual shutters you’re considering. Having said that, I tend to like the look of louvered over raised panel. Regarding quantity and placement: I think you’re wise to go for quality over quantity. BTW: I’m counting more than 14 windows.
Sammy
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
You could always go without shutters—at least for the time being—until you have the funds to do all the windows that you want at the same time.
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Denita
8 years ago
For the historically accurate shutters for your home, please read this very interesting website about older homes and accurate shutters for your home. http://www.oldhouseguy.com/shutters/

OP, I agree with you, do the shutters on the front first as your budget allows and then follow through with the shutters on the side when you can do so in the future.
brdrl
Original Author
8 years ago
Thank you for the responses. I have read that article as well as others so I am comfortable with raised panel - for CT. If this was in the south I would keep louvers. We have 26 windows total but they would not all have shutters historically due to size and shape (sunroom for example). 14 would have them. And you are right, we can add the others in the future. This is an example of the style we are looking at, sized proportionality:
Denita
8 years ago
I like the raised panel. So glad to see you are detail oriented :)