Shutters Around the World
Shutters take many forms in different countries, thanks to the variations in climate and culture. The Bespoke Shutter Company are a leading shutter company in London; here we look at some of the different examples of shutters around the world - and why you should come to us if you live in the capital, Essex or Hertfordshire and are interested in having made-to-measure shutters installed in your home or business.
Spain
In many Mediterranean countries, and Spain in particular, exterior shutters are very popular in home and villas. This is because of the amount of sunlight the country enjoys – Spain is one of the countries which gets the most around the world – and the heat. These help to block out the warmth of the sun, which is particularly useful during the summer months.
Many Spaniards prefer to keep their shutters closed – many homes don't have blinds or curtains, and they are quite a secretive people who value their privacy and like to keep their possessions and lifestyle hidden away.
France
There are plenty of areas in the south of France which are similar to Spain and where external shutters are popular ecause of the warm climate and the need to moderate the heat inside the home.
And, again as in Spain, few homes have air conditioning, so it’s important to find other methods of keeping cool during the hotter months of the year. Some external shutters are popular in public buildings too -for example the picture above shows Luberon town hall in the Rousillon region of the country.
However, there are also other additional popular shutter styles in other parts of France, notably Paris, the capital. Here the coverings are often made of steel and are configured in multiple narrow full-length panels, allowing the shutters to fold open and fit inconspicuously against the recesses at the sides of the window.
Café-style shutters, which we offer in London, also originated in France and particularly Paris. Diners wanted privacy but to be able to enjoy the view, so a compromise was reached where the shutters effectively split the window in half, allowing diners to see out without allowing full outside view of their dining.
Germany
In Germany, rolling exterior shutters on tracks have become especially popular. When open, these type shutters roll up into boxes concealed in the thickness of the wall above the window. They are typically raised and lowered manually, such as by a rolling pull made of cord, but they can be equipped with electric operating mechanisms.
These shutters allow some light in the room when not fully lowered, but they block out all light when completely closed. Variations include frame extensions that allow the closed shutter to swing out like an awning or Bermuda shutter which is opened vertically rather than horizontally.
The USA
Many larger homes in the southern States had – and some still have - classic plantation shutters (where the name originated from) as they were where the cotton or sugar plantations were located – and the mansions and farmhouses needed protection from the hot sun.
However, some holiday properties have metal shutters – this acts as an additional security barrier when the owner isn’t in residence. They can also help when the property is in an area prone to high winds or even hurricanes. For example, in the state of Florida all new homes are required by law to have some form of hurricane protection.
The UK
Here in the UK there is a mix of popular shutter styles – including café-style, tracked and plantation shutters. Many of these styles have been imported from Europe and other countries; however, many are fitted internally, as the UK doesn’t have the tradition or the need to fit them externally - the summers aren’t usually as hot as they are in Mediterranean countries, for example.
Other popular styles are more likely to be indigenous to the UK, such as solid shutters which first became popular in the Victorian era.
And, because of the wide variety of architectural styles present here, a lot of shutters have been fitted to windows with unusual shapes.
Made to Measure Shutters from The Bespoke Shutter Company
At the Bespoke Shutter Company, a top shutter company based in London, we can fit virtually all of the styles listed above inside your home.
Whatever type (or shape) of internal shutter you need, come to us – if there is a window we can’t fit a shutter to, then we haven’t found it yet!
If you would like to know more, or book a free no-obligation consultation, then simply follow this link and fill in the online form. You can also call us on 020 3131 3155.
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