The History of Interior Shutters

Originally thought to have originated in ancient Greece, interior shutters would be used to keep homes cool or warm and secure as no glass was available at the time.

Shutters were also common in medieval Europe the houses having solid shutters that sometimes closed with a big iron bar for protection.

By Tudor and Elizabethan times glass had been introduced, but it was still very expensive, so shutters continued in use; sometimes windows were half glazed with solid shutters below the sash. Once glass became more readily available shutters became less popular though they often replaced curtains in many countries where the humid climate didn't suit curtains this can still been seen in Greece.

After the 15th century solid shutters were increasingly replaced by hinged glass windows and shutters tended to be used simply for decoration. Decorative woodwork such as interior window shutters continued to be prevalent until the 18th century, but it wasn't until Victorian times that exterior shutters started to become fashionable, until this time window recesses were so deep that outside shutters couldn't be reached from the inside to shut at night..

The Georgians made shutters much more popular, their new homes had shutters as standard and they became seen as traditional British architecture. The beautiful houses in Charleston, South Carolina with both interior and exterior shutters are fine examples of this era.

Today shutters are more commonly seen on the exterior of buildings and are used for both decoration and security. Internal shutters are generally made of wood and designed in the colonial style which is both decorative and allows you to efficiently control the amount of light entering a room. Because they are kept well-clear of the elements, internal shutters require very little maintenance.


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