The 4 Main Types of Window Shutters to Know

by Ann Hayward 09/09/2024

While most modern homes don't use window shutters for their original purpose, they remain a popular way to decorate the exterior of the home. If you're thinking of adding shutters to your exterior, it's important to know your options. Here is a guide to the four main types of shutters you'll find on the market today:

Raised Panel

Raised panel shutters are sleek and simple. The aesthetic matches kitchen cabinet doors with a single or double raised panel. This type of shutter is incredibly versatile and can work well with almost any exterior design style, including Victorian, Colonial, Ranch, French Country and Cape Cod.

Louvered

Louvered shutters are a common type of shutter with angled horizontal slats. The slats let light through the shutter and also make a more defined statement than the simpler raised panel option. Louvered shutters are also very versatile and will come off great on a variety of home styles, no matter how casual or ornate.

Board and Batten (BnB)

Board and batten shutters, also called BnB shutters, have simple construction and rustic charm. Reminiscent of barn doors, board and batten shutters are made of several boards held together by a thin cross-panel. The cross-panel can be horizontal or placed at an angle. These shutters have a more specific design style and work best with Mediterranean, Cape Cod, Ranch and French Country homes.

Bahama

Bahama shutters are also called Bermuda shutters. They're similar to louvered shutters because they also have narrow slats to let air and light pass through. However, the major difference is they attach at the top of the window instead of the sides. They're a common feature on homes in tropical climates but work well with a variety of architectural styles.

Within these four main types you'll find a wide variety of styles, colors and materials. With this basic knowledge, you'll be able to tell the difference between various shutter styles and choose the best option for your windows.

About the Author

Ann Hayward

Born in Philadelphia and raised in the suburbs, Ann Hayward got her Pennsylvania real estate license at age 18 even before going to college. This second-generation real estate professional followed in the footsteps of her father and two uncles, inheriting their passion for the business. Licensed in DC, Maryland and Virginia, Ann is accomplished in her career, with numerous designations including SFR, SRES, PSA, WHC, and multiunit Housing Development Finance Professional (HDFP) from the National Development Council. She specializes in Prince Georges and Montgomery Counties, Northern Virginia and Washington, DC, all jurisdictions where Ann has lived and knows very well. In addition to her professional expertise, she owns and manages personal investment property, understands and has been involved in the renovation/remodeling process, and has great resources which she shares with clients. When you hire Ann to represent you, she will make your buying or selling experience an enjoyable, rewarding one. Her compassion, sensitivity to her clients’ needs, eye for detail, and ability to see the big picture when guiding you through a purchase or sale are unique assets that will ensure your success. A diverse and relevant background also gives Ann a distinct edge. For 30 years, she worked in fast-paced, high-pressure television and theatrical production, attaining the highest achievement – DGA membership as a Director, and as an award-winning staff and freelance writer. Her keen audio visual skills and design sense benefit sellers in marketing their properties, and are invaluable in helping buyers see the potential of space. A true renaissance woman, Ann was also an income tax professional and office manager for H&R Block, so she thoroughly understands the tax and financial implications of acquiring and selling real estate. Her superior organizational skills are further evidenced as owner of a downsizing/professional organizing business, Managed For You, which allows her to connect with everyone from millennials to boomers and seniors, whether for small space planning or assisting with major decluttering and transitioning. Ann holds an AB in American History from Simmons College, Boston, plus attended Robert Wagner Graduate School of Public Administration where she was a candidate for Doctorate. She additionally studied Film Direction at the American Film Institute in LA, and was a Stanford University post-graduate Professional Journalism Fellow. Personally, Ann is an avid if not very good golfer, and the co-founder of a nonprofit 501c3 organization offering educational guidance, tutoring and counseling for youngsters from elementary school through college admission. She sits on the board of trustees of a nonprofit educational film production corporation as well. (202) 494-6252 [email protected]