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nicklupinacci

Should I do Shutters?

12 years ago
Our new home will have shutters on all of the windows in the front of the house. This picture is of the side of the house, where the driveway approaches the garage. I am considering adding shutters only to the 4 large windows because the smaller window at the top right is obviously too close to the corner. My question is... Will it look strange to have only one window without shutters when the other four windows do have them? Or should I not do shutters on any of them?

Comments (17)

  • 12 years ago
    How about a single shutter on one side.
  • 12 years ago
    I think shutters on the four large windows would look great. Maybe you could add more wood trim around the smaller window to balance it out.
  • 12 years ago
    Yay! shutters!
  • 12 years ago
    I think I would leave the shutters off! It might attract your eye to the one without the shutters. However I tend to be a person who gravitates toward symmetry and balance. What I would do is put in an outdoor fireplace or a faux stone fire place along the wall in between the garage door and windows. I'd start it broader at the bottom and taper it narrower midway to extend just past the roofline. This would provide some balance. Or cheaper yet, plant a taller narrow tree in the same area. However, it's all a matter of your own perspective and what look you are trying to achieve and what you like! I've attached two scratch pd drawings to help you visualize. Good luck on your decision!
  • 12 years ago
    Instead of shutters, I would make the white trim around the windows a little wider and make a bit of a sill at the bottom. I would also add wide white trim around the garage doors and put lights on each side. I like the barn style lights for you house, see image. Good luck!
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    Since none of the windows line up vertically, shutters would accentuate this issue. And as you point out, the upper right window is oddly too close to the corner of the house. I recommend you leave shutters off.
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    No shutters; I agree with barnandbungalow’s suggestion of trimming out the windows all around the house to give it a more custom look.

    As for the shutters in the front, don’t bother with them if they are just builder’s grade.
    Atherton, California Luxury Home by Markay Johnson Construction · More Info
  • 12 years ago
    Consider painting the garage doors a medium gray to make them recede instead of the bright white that makes the garage doors the most prominent feature.
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    Your roof line reflects the salt box style which capitalizes on simplicity and minimal approach to architectural detailing. The lack of corner boards, water table boards, frieze boards, wide casing, etc. and your 9 over 9 double hung windows complement this style as well. I would not install shutters.

    Consider focusing on the landscaping and critical placement of vertical plantings to bring balance to this side of the house. Broad leaf evergreens can hide your propane tank (may want to invest in an inground tank) and bilco door throughout the seasons.

    Do you have a photo of the front of the house?
    Nick Lupinacci Jr. thanked Scott Design, Inc.
  • 12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    Unfortunate placement of windows. The house kind of has a saltbox look. I suppose it is too late to extend the roofline of the long garage line the other direction to the corner of the house. The peak of this roofline would be centered between the upper windows. That way the little window appears to be a dormer window and would look fine with no shutters. Put a tall tree or shrub next to the garage door to conceal the misplacement of lower windows.
  • 12 years ago
    Here's another option.
  • 12 years ago
    You could also add window boxes that would help balance out the windows that are unequal in size.
  • 12 years ago
    Thanks for all your responses. Here is a picture of what it would look like with shutters on all the windows except for the small one. What do you all think? Go with this version or not shutters at all? Thanks!
  • 12 years ago
    I say do double shutters, as your picture shows, on all of them except the window where that is impossible. For that one, do a single shutter!
  • 12 years ago
    If you look at the white with black detail trim on the example barnandbungalow posted, it seems a good solution. The upper white detail with black dresses up the windows equally, doesn't emphasize the lack of symmetry, and ties in with the black shutters you must have put on the front. To me, it seems the most interesting, complementary idea. No need to have matchy matchy in a house with character!