SELECTING THE RIGHT WOOD SHUTTERS

Here are the three major factors you must consider when specifying wood shutters for a residential project.

by Rick Skidmore, Timberlane, Inc.

With the myriad of options available today, how do you begin to select wood shutters for your home or residential project? The best way to achieve good fit and functionality, and to satisfy your own personal aesthetic tastes, is to break the process down into the three key components:

• Shutters

• Hardware

• Installation

Fall short on one of these and the entire project will suffer; do all of them well and your shutters -- and your home -- will look extraordinary.

A quality, custom shutter manufacturer will produce results that satisfy the most discriminating of clients -- such as this pair of combination louver/panel shutters with fleur-de-lis cutouts and classic hardware.

Shutter Specification Louver vs. Panel? Traditional applications call for paneled shutters on the first level and louvers on all others. But this is not always the case; in the south it is not uncommon to see louvers on all levels and in other areas, panels on all floors. In our experience, this is largely driven by personal preference.

This charming Pennsylvania farmhouse displays a traditional shutter placement: Paneled shutters on the first level and louvered shutters on the upper levels.

Board and Batten: Frequently used on single-story homes, barns and cottages, board and batten shutters provide a "country" look. Lately they have been gaining in popularity and are often placed on commercial residences in conjunction with a "French Country" look.

Bermuda Shutters: Designed for the tropics and often used for sun screening and moderate storm protection, one shutter panel will usually cover the entire window. It is hinged from the top and installed with a custom-fit support arm to keep the shutter in an open position -- perfect for capturing ocean breezes during long afternoon siestas.

Sizing: Whatever style you choose, correctly sizing the shutter to your window is critical! A few manufacturers will build shutters to your specifications, so make sure your measurements are accurate. Whether your shutters will be functional or not, size them as if they would be. Always measure from where the shutter would sit in the opening -- often the window casing or brick molding, not the actual brick or stone opening.

Rail and Stile Dimensions: The dimensions of the stiles and rails should be proportionate to the overall size of the shutter. The center rail should be offset to the sash line...think about it: When shutters are functional, they are latched from the inside. You wouldn't want the window sash blocking the slide bolt.

Wood Quality: Look for a manufacturer that uses a high-quality, decay-resistant wood such as Western Red Cedar or Mahogany. Vertical grained wood is preferred; it is more resistant to twisting and warping, producing a more stable shutter. Thicker is also better; look for a manufacturer that uses 1-5/16" thick rails and stiles.

Joinery: Look for shutters that use "pegged" mortise-and-tenon joints. The pegs lock the tenon tight in the mortise, aligning the rails and stiles to form continuous integrity. Avoid screwed, doweled, or butt-glued joints -- these joints will fail.

Protecting Your Shutters: Buy a shutter with capping. Copper is an attractive option, aluminum is functional and more economical. Use a good primer before painting your shutters -- many manufacturers will do this for you. Recoat any failing paint immediately to ensure the longevity of your shutters.

Hardware Specification: Shutter hardware is as critical to the overall look of your shutter project as the shutters themselves. Some of your primary considerations should include:

• Do you want your shutters to be functional?

• What kind of window casing details do you have?

• What is the size and weight of your shutters?

• What "look" are you trying to achieve?

• What is your budget?

Hardware Material: If your shutter hardware is properly painted and cared for, you should expect it to last a very long time -- possibly longer than you will! Stainless steel hardware is also an option. While stainless steel hardware may provide additional durability and longevity for any installation, we strongly recommend stainless steel hardware for coastal applications or in any humid climate where rusting may be an issue.

Hardware Styles: There are many different styles of hardware to choose from, and a good supplier will take the time to talk to you about your personal preferences. At a minimum you will need to select hinges and some form of tie back (shutter dog or otherwise). You may also want to consider locks, pull rings, and bullet catches.

A well-made, recessed-panel shutter: Note the rabbet on the side of the shutter indicating an "operable" shutter. Hardware includes a "hook and staple" tieback, pull ring, slide bolt, plate pintel, and a New York "L" hinge.

Installation

Selecting a reputable, high-quality installer is your best bet for a top-notch installation. That said, there are some important details you should take into account:

• Is there a suitable mounting surface?

• Are there any restrictions or obstructions?

• Are the window frames in good shape or are there signs of rot and decay?

• Make sure you accurately measure every window. All windows are not created equal, and you are likely to experience slight dimensional variations among your windows.

• Determine the offset for your hinges: This will depend upon your hinges. Are they window frame-mount hinges or jamb-mount hinges? To accurately measure the hinge offset, place a flat piece of wood along the wall, extending beyond the window frame.

For Window Frame-Mount Hinges: Measure from the window frame to the back of the wood. This dimension is considered your offset and is used when selecting hinge offset.

For Jamb-Mount Hinges: Measure from the back of the window frame jamb to the back of the wood, and then add the thickness of the shutter. This dimension will tell you how many "inches open" you need when ordering leaf-style hinges.

As mentioned above, hiring a skilled installer will alleviate many of the issues frequently encountered in shutter installations.

Some Final Do's and Don'ts

Some final "do's" and "don'ts" when it comes to specifying and selecting wood shutters:

Do...

• Select the appropriate style shutters for your home

• Size the shutters correctly to your window

• Finish them with a high-quality paint and primer

• Use capping on your shutters

• Purchase high-quality hardware

Don't ...

• Use shutters that are poorly fabricated

• Screw them to the house

• Install your shutters upside down

There's a lot to consider when selecting and installing shutters and hardware, and an article of this length can only scratch the surface. For additional information or for free literature, please visit our free catalog page.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Rick Skidmore is the president and founder of Timberlane, Inc. Timberlane has been producing custom-built, period-accurate, handmade exterior shutters and hardware for over a decade.