You can run down to the next big-box store and try to buy blinds that might fit all the windows but why not get customized shutters for that complete, fully furnished look?

Danielle Paul, interior designer with Designers Edge in Calgary says this timeless window treatment need not be straight out of the textbook. “Shutters provide character to any room especially when stained as they look and feel like furniture.”

To start, what can you choose from? Most retailers will offer vinyl, wood and at times aluminium. Stylistically each offers a unique look, according to Karen Saunders, showroom manager at Sheila’s Drapery in Calgary. While vinyl shutters only come in white and off-white colours and aluminium only in stainless or white, wood can be stained any colour possible such as espresso or the ever-popular ebony. Each composition can then be tailored to fit the buyer’s décor.
“Framing around the shutters softens the look and is more traditional,” says Saunders. “For a contemporary feel, go without the framing and more modern still would be stainless steel.” Tilt bars can be located behind the shutters or not at all, rather than in front as they were conventionally. And now that louvres are available in various sizes, the wider options offer noticeably cleaner lines.

Speaking of cleaning (or lack thereof), shutters require minimal attention, so generally a simple dust will do. And if that’s too much work, try aluminium shutters, which are not electrostatic so they won’t attract dust at all. Paul cautions consumers to keep in mind the darker the stain, the more dust will show.

Durability, however, is an important factor to consider. Kris Migos, design consultant with Classic Window Fashions in Edmonton, suggests vinyl shutters for areas associated with moisture, like bathrooms, as vinyl is the most resilient of the three materials. Vinyl can take the most abuse whereas wood is prone to warping and cracking in extreme heat and humidity. Although most manufacturers warranty wood products, it is recommended you do your research before committing to this very permanent window treatment.

If all that versatility hasn’t sold you on shutters yet, then the divider rail just might. This option is specific to shutters and allows separate movements from top to bottom as the divider rail sits horizontally. “In an ensuite, you can open the top louvres for light,” says Migos. “But keep the bottom closed for privacy.” For main level condo owners on a busy street, this is especially beneficial.

Window shapes and sizes in condos are sometimes difficult to accommodate as they can have arches or other unconventional shapes, but not to worry because shutters can custom fit most anything. “Great big, long windows can use shutters that swing open like the café style, instead of wood blinds that bulk up and are too heavy to stack at the top of the window,” Saunders says. “The downside [of shutters] is that each panel is typically 18-inches wide and requires enough room to swing open, which condos may or may not provide.” Shutters also offer a bi-fold operation for those tricky patio doors. In most cases there are four panels with two hinged on either side, just like closet doors.

Tricky windows aside, Saunders says probably the toughest windows to deal with reside in the bedroom. Ever lie awake during those hot summer nights because the sound of flapping blinds in the wind won’t let up? Not anymore since some shutters now have magnet catches holding them in place, so an open window is no longer a noise issue. And if you’re one of those daytime snoozers, you’ll love the amount of light control shutters can provide. You decide if you want “black-out” conditions just by opening or closing the louvres.

You may not know it yet, but the light control might also help control your budget. “Shutters are energy-efficient,” says Migos, noting the ability of shutters to keep the summer sun out during the day and prevent heat loss through the windows in the winter. “Vinyl can increase the R value of windows up to 3.4,” she says, adding even though shutters are often deemed higher-end, they may be worth the cost. However, don’t skimp out by trying to do-it-yourself— installation and measurements are best left to professionals.

The experts can also offer advice on where to mount the shutters as they can be done within the windowsill or not. Even though shutters can be customized, it is still important to keep the size limitations in mind. “Wood shutters can reach up to ten-feet by ten-feet,” says Migos, who would not recommend shutters on anything smaller than a 24-inch-by-24-inch window because the framework would take up too much room.

So now after you move into your brand new condo, you no longer need to worry about naked windows. Whether you’re after the bold design or just looking to shut out some light, shutters can be custom fit to suit your individual needs.

Sneak a peek
at shutters from with Shutter Plantation’s Andy Hilbrecht shutters are:
 Timeless and fit any décor—shutters are the only window covering considered a permanent fixture of the house;
Provider of insulation in the winter while keeping cool in the summer;
Extremely easy to maintain and clean (dusting usually does the trick);
A means to good light control and are easy to adjust;
Durable and long-lasting, which means money well spent;
More expensive than blinds, typically running from $20 to $35 per square-foot, depending on materials (vinyl, wood or aluminum), roughly doubling the
$10-a-square-foot-and-up cost of blinds; and
The going rate for dolling up a condo with shutters is and investment of $5,000 to $6,000, versus venetian blinds starting at $1,500 to $3,000.