Everything You Need to Know About Folding Shutters

Folding shutters offer a unique operable style that combines the adjustable light control of louvers with space saving accordion-style folding. Rather than swinging open, folding shutter panels collapse in a zigzag pattern similar to room dividers.

This guide will cover everything you need to know about folding shutters from ideal room placements, available materials and colors, customization options, pros and cons, and costs. Let’s explore how folding shutters can provide a functional and stylish window covering solution!

How Folding Shutters Work

Folding shutters feature hinged panels that fold in a zigzag manner rather than swinging open. The folding operation comes in two main formats:

Accordion – Panels fold back and forth into a compact stack requiring minimal side wall space.

Bi-fold – Panels fold in pairs together into a wider stack needing more side clearance.

Folding shutters are ideal where standard hinged shutters are impractical due to limited swing clearance. Remote controls simplify operation.

Benefits of Folding Shutters

Some of the advantages folding shutter designs provide include:

• Space saving collapse into narrow stacked footprint
• Absence of swinging room clearance issues
• Soft curved look when fully extended
• Customizable configurations, widths, and heights
• Adaptable control of privacy and light
• Smooth electric operation integration

For tricky spots that pose swing clearance challenges, folding shutters offer a perfect fit.

Materials Used for Folding Shutters

Folding shutters are commonly constructed using these materials:

Wood – Basswood, poplar and oak are common choices for their stability. Cedar and redwood work well for humidity resistance.

Faux wood composites – Molded materials like polymer resins mimic real wood without warping.

Aluminum – Lightweight and rust-proof but prone to bending when spanning wide widths.

Vinyl – Inexpensive and moisture resistant though limited color selection. Easier to clean.

Material choice balances factors like budget, durability, and environmental factors like humidity and sea salt corrosion.

Available Color Styles

Folding shutters come in a diverse palette of colors and finishes:

Wood shutters – Available in natural stains, painted opaques, or whitewashed pickling

Synthetic shutters – Offered in matte whites plus bolder hues like navy, crimson, and emerald

Interior vs. exterior – Many allow choosing different interior and exterior colors for customizable schemes

Dual-tone – Combination colored panel designs create bold interest

Custom paint matching – Any paint color can be precisely matched to integrate with existing interior colors

With extensive color possibilities, folding shutters complement both traditional and contemporary decors.

Ideal Room Placements

Folding shutters are perfect solutions for windows and doors in these areas:

Entry doors – Provides privacy without interfering with opening arc.

Bathrooms – Allow discreet light control and visibility at tub or shower windows.

Corner windows – Skirt clearance issues standard shutters can’t solve.

Stairwell windows – Controls visibility looking up and down stairs.

Patio doors – Stack neatly to permit complete door access without eating exterior space.

Closets – Visually conceal contents while allowing entry.

For any application where swing path intrudes on room use, folding operation prevents conflicts.

Pairing Folding Shutters With Other Window Treatments

Layering window treatments broadens functionality:

• Add lightweight curtains over folding shutters – Provides enhanced sound absorption and softness while shutters offer adjustable light control and insulation.
• Install cordless cellular shades behind exterior folding shutters – Shades filter sunlight pleasantly while shutters provide privacy.
• Choose pleated or relaxed roman short blinds combined with folding panels – Blinds offer complete blackout capabilities for media rooms while shutters control glare.

Creative pairings maximize capabilities like room darkening, sound insulation, airflow and style.

Customization Options

To make folding shutters truly one of a kind:

Sizes – Shutters can be tailored to custom widths and heights to elegantly fit unique openings.

Louver design – Match existing window pane configuration or create specialty arched louver patterns.

Frame profiles – Choose flat panels, classic raised panel designs, or contemporary beveled edges.

Cutouts – Add fun shaped decorative cutouts like circles, curves and abstract shapes.

Specialty materials – Incorporate leather, woven natural fiber, concrete, metal mesh or corrugated inserts for artful flair.

Hardware – Upgrade to custom pulls, handles and hinges in unique shapes, finishes and placements.

With bespoke customization, folding shutters become as uniquely special as the windows they adorn.

Features for Easy Operation

To make folding shutters easy to operate:

Remote controls – Concealed motors activated using a remote control or wireless wall switch.

Assistive hardware – Pivot rods, they assist panels in folding smoothly and prevent uneven dragging.

Soft-close hardware – Cushions the final closure so panels shut quietly.

Pull-cord operator – Nylon cord allowing easy manual collapse via a quick tug.

Side finger slots – Subtle vertical grooves allow manually sliding panels into place discreetly.

Well-engineered hardware makes folding operation smooth and nearly effortless.

Special Considerations for Exterior Shutters

Tailor folding shutters placed outdoors for greater weather and sun resistance:

• Select fade and moisture resistant materials like composite, high-density polymer or marine grade aluminum.
• Include weatherstripping at panel edges and reinforced corner joints.
• Use stainless steel screws, hinges and hardware to prevent corrosion.
• Ensure adequate weep holes for drainage along bottom rails and louver joints.
• Consider accordion style for strongest wind resistance when fully extended.
• Add UV and waterproofing coatings to protect finishes.

Proper materials selection and design considerations allow folding exterior shutters to withstand harsh outdoor conditions.

How Much Do Folding Shutters Cost?

Typical price ranges:

• Small basic vinyl folding shutter – $150 – $300
• Mid-range wood or composite shutters – $400 – $900 per panel
• Multi-panel accordion-folding system – $2,500 to $6,000
• Specialty materials like stainless steel or leather – $800 – $2,000 per panel
• Automation accessories – $500 – $1000 per motorization kit

Obtain quotes from several providers to compare pricing for your specific project scope and options.

Pros of Folding vs. Hinged Shutters

Advantages of folding shutters compared to standard hinged shutters:

• Eliminate swing space clearance issues
• Expand, contract and stack away discretely
• Curved appearance when fully extended
• Adapt well as room dividers to define spaces
• Allow unobstructed doorway and corner window coverage
• Permit complete window access when fully collapsed

For tight spots where hinged shutters won’t work, folding operation solves the challenges elegantly.

Cons of Folding vs. Hinged Shutters

Some limitations to consider with folding shutters:

• Generally cost more than hinged shutters
• Require robust pivots and hardware to enable smooth folding
• Multi-panel systems can be heavy and tricky to control
• Don’t seal air gaps as tightly as hinged shutters when closed
• Side stacked folded panels can consume considerable wall space
• Not adjustable to modulate light gaps like louvers

Unless already limited on swing space, standard hinged shutters often make more practical and economic sense.

Conclusion

With their accordion-style fold-away operation, folding shutters deliver unique solutions where conventional hinged shutters fail. Their space-saving collapse and customizable spans make folding shutters ideal for covering problematic angled bays, stairwells, tight closets and corner windows elegantly.

Hopefully this overview provides helpful knowledge to evaluate if smooth folding shutters could be the perfect fit for your next project. With tailored design details, they transform functional windows into artistic focal points. Let’s discuss if folding shutters are right for your home!