What is the most popular style of shutters?

Shutters are an essential part of any home. They provide privacy, security, light control, noise reduction, and aesthetic appeal to windows. With so many styles to choose from, it can be overwhelming to select the right shutters for your home. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the different types of shutters, their key features, and their popularity to help you make the best choice for your needs.

The Most Popular Shutter Styles

There are two main categories of shutters – interior and exterior. Within each category, there are several popular styles:

Most Popular Interior Shutters

Plantation Shutters

Plantation shutters are the most popular style of interior shutters. They are characterized by their wide louvers which tilt to control light and privacy.

Key features:

• Made of basswood, poplar, or composite materials like faux wood
• Louvers tilt open and closed
• Customizable louver sizes – typically 2.5 to 3.5 inches wide
• Provide good light control, privacy and insulation
• Sophisticated, clean look complements many interior design styles

Plantation shutters are loved for their versatility and attractive appearance. They work well in living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, bathrooms and more. Their customizability makes them a great choice for odd-sized windows.

Plantation Shutters Popularity:

As the #1 best selling shutter style, plantation shutters make up over 50% of the interior shutter market. They are preferred in warmer climates where insulation and light control are priorities. Their popularity has steadily risen over the past decade.

Café-Style Shutters

Café-style shutters feature full-length louvers that stack similarly to café blinds when opened.

Key Features:

• Louvers run the full length of the shutter
• Louvers stack open to the side
• Provide almost complete light blockage when closed
• Offer some muffling of outside noise
• Clean, streamlined look

Café shutters are popular for bedrooms and media rooms where room darkening and noise reduction are desired. Their full-length louvers give them a more contemporary style compared to traditional plantation shutters.

Café Style Shutters Popularity:

While not as ubiquitous as plantation shutters, café-style shutters make up around 15% of interior shutter sales and have seen a slow but steady rise in installations in recent years.

Tier-on-Tier Shutters

Tier-on-tier shutters consist of two panels of louvers, one above the other, which allow the top and bottom halves of the shutters to open and close independently.

Key Features:

• Two distinct tiers of louvers
• Upper and lower tiers operate separately
• Allow more flexibility for light and privacy control
• Often used for kitchens and bathrooms

Tier-on-tier shutters provide added functionality which makes them useful for windows where both privacy and light control are needed. The divided look also lends a unique architectural detail.

Tier-on-Tier Shutters Popularity:

While not as common as full-height single tier shutters, tier-on-tier shutters make up around 10% of interior shutter installations and offer a nice niche option.

Most Popular Exterior Shutters

Panel Shutters

Panel shutters are the most popular type of exterior shutters. They feature flat, smooth panels without louvers.

Key Features:

• Typically made of wood, composite or vinyl
• Flat panel design
• No louvers
• Come as operable or solid decorative shutters
• Provide a clean, seamless look for home exteriors

Panel shutters complement a wide range of architectural styles from traditional to contemporary. They make a particularly good choice for homes with transom windows near the main entry doors.

Panel Shutters Popularity:

Panel style exterior shutters account for over 60% of installed exterior shutters. They pair well with many home styles and offer an attractive look.

Board-and-Batten Shutters

Board-and-batten shutters consist of vertical boards spaced apart with narrow battens covering the gaps. This creates a rustic, nautical vibe.

Key Features:

• Vertical wood boards form the main structure
• Narrow wood strips or battens cover seams between boards
• Often has crossbuck X-shape braces on the back
• Associated with coastal locales but work well anywhere
• Offer a casual, beachy look for home exteriors

Great for porches, patios and vacation homes, board-and-batten style provides a laidback look in comparison to dressier panel shutters.

Board-and-Batten Shutters Popularity:

Around 15% of installed exterior shutters are board-and-batten style. They pair nicely with coastal, farmhouse, and cottage style homes.

Bahama Shutters

Bahama shutters are hinged at the top and positioned to shade the upper half of the window. They are opened by pushing out at the bottom.

Key Features:

• Hinged at the top to fold open from the bottom
• Made of wood or vinyl
• Often feature a pair of center louvers
• Help block sunlight while allowing air flow
• Provide shade and privacy while revealing lower window

Bahama shutters create a relaxed, tropical look perfect for patios and porches. They allow views and breezes through the open lower window.

Bahama Shutters Popularity:

Traditionally used in warmer climates, Bahama shutters make up around 10% of exterior installations. They create a laidback style suitable for balconies, patios and sunrooms.

What Makes These Shutter Styles So Popular?

With such a diversity of shutter types, what exactly gives certain styles an advantage in popularity? Here are some of the key factors:

Aesthetic Appeal

One of the main drivers behind a shutter’s popularity is its visual appeal. The most common shutter styles simply look great in many home settings.

For example, plantation shutters have an upscale yet understated look that integrates beautifully into formal and casual spaces alike. Their simple, clean lines provide an elegant touch.

On the exterior, panel shutters similarly have widespread aesthetic appeal. Their smooth, seamless facades complement both traditional and modern architecture.

When a shutter style pleases the eye, naturally it will garner favor among homeowners seeking beauty.

Functionality

Shutters must also serve practical functions like light control, security, and insulation. The most popular shutter styles deliver on these fronts.

Interior plantation shutters, for instance, allow flexible light control via their adjustable louvers. They help insulate windows and provide a sound buffer.

Exterior panel shutters, though often just decorative, can also be fully functional for weather protection on operable designs. Their sleek look doesn’t detract from performance.

When homeowners know a certain style combines form and function successfully, they gravitate toward these tried-and-true options.

Durability

Shutters should stand the test of time while maintaining their beauty. Durability plays a key role in popularity.

Shutters made from basswood and poplar like plantation shutters resist warping and hold their shape. They also stand up well to bumps and bangs from pets or kids.

On the exterior, materials like vinyl and composite offer durable performance in all weather. They retain color better than bare wood over years of sun exposure.

Styles made using robust, lasting materials assure homeowners their investment will endure. This gives them peace of mind.

Easy Coordination

Some shutter styles simply blend seamlessly into many decor schemes. Their versatility makes coordination effortless.

The clean, simple lines of plantation shutters pair elegantly with formal spaces but also look right at home in casual rooms. Their neutral tones adapt easily.

Classic white panel shutters complement exterior color schemes from bold to muted equally well. Their crisp look feels timeless and appropriate.

Shutters that integrate well with diverse styles curate an air of broad appeal. This makes them easy choices for the indecisive.

Availability

Manufacturing plays a key role in a shutter’s popularity. The most prevalent styles benefit from wide availability.

Plantation and panel shutters are produced by dozens of major national brands and specialty local shops. This makes them readily accessible to any homeowner through local dealers and big box stores.

Less common shutter types can’t achieve the same market saturation due to smaller production. This limits their distribution and visibility.

Abundant availability ensures mainstream shutter styles make it onto buyers’ radars far more frequently during the purchase process.

Affordability

Price point naturally factors into popularity as well. More ubiquitous shutters benefit from economies of scale.

Producing plantation shutters in bulk allows manufacturers to optimize processes and source cost-effective materials. This brings down pricing.

Specialty shutters usually come with a higher price tag since they are produced in smaller batches. Their niche status limits opportunities to drive down costs.

Reasonable pricing enables mass adoption. Shutters seen as providing value for money appeal to the average homeowner.

Which Types of Homes Suit Popular Shutters?

Besides inherent design factors, some shutter styles align well with particular home architectural styles. Matching shutters to home type enhances overall curb appeal. Consider pairing:

• Plantation shutters with:
  • Craftsman homes – The wide trim frames plantation shutters beautifully
  • Ranch houses – The clean lines complement mid-century modern ranch aesthetics
  • Contemporary homes – Their straight-line design suits sleek modern spaces
• Panel shutters with:
  • Colonial homes – White panels classically flank symmetrically placed windows
  • Cape Cods – Their simplicity balances ornate Cape Cod details
  • Farmhouse style homes – Black panel shutters play up charming rural vibes
• Board-and-batten shutters with:
  • Coastal cottages – The nautical look feels right at home seaside
  • Cabins – Rustic board-and-batten shutters reinforce the cozy cabin feel
  • Farmhouses – Their casual style suits pastoral farmhouse aesthetics
• Bahama shutters for:
  • Bungalows – The breezy, tropical vibe matches laidback bungalows
  • Porch settings – They extend living space and filter bright light
  • Patios and sunrooms – They prevent harsh glare and heat gain

Matching a shutter style to a compatible home architecture ensures it feels cohesive. This natural harmony makes them ideal pairings.

Do Popular Shutters Work for All Homes?

While certain shutters pair beautifully with complementary home styles, popular options like plantation and panel shutters do suit a wide range of homes. Their versatile good looks adapt well to many spaces.

Some tips for making sure popular shutters enhance your particular home include:

Consider your home’s existing features:

Take color cues, architectural details and exterior finishes into account. For example, neutral-toned plantation shutters can pick up subtle beige and gray hues on a stucco exterior.

Complement other accents:

Factor in exterior elements like the entry door, outdoor lighting, fencing or landscaping. Black exterior shutters might enhance modern black finishes elsewhere outside the home.

Know when to choose statement shutters:

More unique shutter styles like board-and-batten can provide pops of character on mundane facades. Make them stand out rather than blend in.

Be mindful of proportions:

Oversized exterior shutters can look gaudy. Make sure shutter sizes and shapes flatter the windows they flank. Custom sizing preserves good proportions.

Matching any shutter style – popular or unique – requires giving your home’s existing look consideration. But if done right, even the most prevalent options like plantation can feel fresh and enhance your home’s beauty.

Shutters for Specialty Windows

Angled, arched and specialty windows require extra care during the shutter selection process. But they can still benefit from the right shutter style.

Shutters for Angled Bay Windows

The angled sides of bay windows call for custom-designed shutters. Options include:

• Panel shutters sized to fit the unique angles
• Plantation shutters with angled side louvers to match
• Board-and-batten shutters cut to follow the exact shape

Well-designed shutters hug the bay window closely and don’t leave wide gaps. They should cover all visible glass.

Shutters for Arched Windows

Arched windows come in different shapes like half-rounds, segmented arches and eyebrow arches. A few approaches create an elegant shutter design:

• Curved plantation shutters precisely fit the arch
• Rectangular panels bordered by curved trim at the top
• Multi-level tier-on-tier shutters that step with the arch

The shutters should reflect the shape and scale of the arched window for balance. Avoid mixing straight and curved lines.

Shutters for Specialty Windows

Unique windows like hexagons, circles, and octagons require total customization. Tailored solutions include:

• Solid panels shaped specifically for atypical windows
• Arranging multiple rectangular shutters to follow odd outlines
• Combining multiple shutter styles to fill unusual forms

Let the window shape itself guide the design. Allow a specialist to devise shutters suited perfectly to the space.

With proper planning, shutters can complement specialty windows for seamless appeal.

Key Factors When Selecting Shutters

Considering all the options, keep these factors in mind when choosing shutters for your home:

Purpose

Define the priorities – light control, insulation, noise reduction, purely aesthetic enhancement? This helps steer toward functional or decorative shutter types to suit needs.

Interior Design Style

Factor in the interior decor style – modern, traditional, minimalist, cottage, coastal, etc. Some styles, like plantation shutters, suit a wide range of aesthetics. Others lean more niche.

Exterior Architectural Style

Your home’s outside appearance also influences options. The color, roofline, detailing and footprint should inform exterior shutter selections.

Quality

Invest in quality for durability and performance. High quality basswood plantation shutters maintain shape better than cheaper woods prone to warping.

Placement

On the exterior, determine optimal placement to flank windows attractively. Allow 3 to 4 inches clearance on each side and size proportionally for best results.

Special Considerations

Account for special needs like room darkening, impact resistance, or reasons not to have traditional window coverings. This may rule out certain shutter types.

Carefully weighing these key factors ensures your end choice perfectly suits your space.

Shutters Add Value

Beyond just looking great, the right shutters add tangible value to a home. This makes them a wise investment for many homeowners.

Some of the key ways shutters boost value include:

Curb Appeal

Attractive shutters make a home more inviting from the street. Exterior shutters boost a home’s kerb appeal which may bolster buyer interest.

Energy Efficiency

Operable exterior shutters cut heating and cooling costs by providing insulation. Even decorative interior shutters add a buffer. Energy savings add up.

Light and Noise Control

Interior shutters allow homeowners to darken bedrooms fully or reduce outside noise. This improves daily living and increases usable space.

Privacy

Adjustable shutters grant privacy from neighbors or passersby, making homes more livable long-term.

Architectural Interest

Thoughtfully designed shutters enhance overall aesthetics and give homes an elevated look which translates into higher perceived value.

Beyond looking nice, the right shutter style improves function in meaningful ways homeowners recognize and appreciate.

Contact the Experts

Ready to explore shutters for your home? The knowledgeable pros at ShutterCraft have the expertise to help you select the perfect shutter style for your needs. Reach out today to get started making your home more beautiful and valuable with premium shutters tailored to your space.