How Window Shutters Have Evolved Over the Years - By: Allan Michael Taylor

Did you know that the original "Peeping Tom", who became infamous for watching the naked, horseback-riding "Lady Godiva" was caught peeping at Lady Godiva through a window shutter? That myth was based on an 11th century English legend. Interesting, isn't it? Aside from that, the story also shows that window shutters have been around for a very long time.

The long history of shutters for windows began way before the Middle Ages when the first ones in Greece were made of marble. The use of shutters spread into Europe, and people there used wooden shutters to control heat in their homes. In the 16th and 17th centuries, shutters were commonly used at homes. They, too, were made of wood. The design of these shutters was a bit different from the design used for shutters today, as the old shutters covered only half of the window opening. The upper half of the window openings, on the other hand, had glass panes. In the 18th century, however, people began to use window shutters to cover the entire opening of their windows. When Queen Victoria ruled England in the 1800s, homes were made from timber, which led to thinner walls. As a result, people started to use their shutters on the outside of their windows.

When Europeans ruled the America, white shutters with bigger louvers called plantation shutters were introduced. The term came from the cotton and sugar plantations in South America where the shutters were usually found. Although the name conjures images of farms and plants, it actually refers to window coverings used in homes. These window shutters, consisting of horizontal rails and a frame of vertical stiles, were originally used to protect the interior of a home.

Overtime, shutters had become very famous not only for their visual appeal, but also for their practicality and functionality. The fast pace of industrialization and the invention of the steam engine brought about changes to the functions of shutters. At that time, shutters had blades that were usually composed of thin horizontal slats. These shutters, which were known as louvered blades, are angled so that they can allow sunlight to pass through and to ward off rain while providing enough ventilation.

Nowadays, shutters come in many varieties to suit various needs and tastes. These include custom-made, custom-fitted, and ready-made choices. DIY or do-it-yourself kits are also available for those who want to customize their shutters on their own. Window shutter choices are also available in different materials such as PVC, plastic, styrene, wood, and aluminum.

Plantation shutters have become popular in several countries such as the U.K. and the United States. These window coverings are preferred by many homeowners because of their classic style, durability, and ease of maintenance. They are also good at providing lighting and airflow control, privacy, and security at home. Their insulating ability allows homeowners to reduce heat during summer and to retain heat during winter. Therefore, shutters are considered sound investments that help make one's home a better place to live.

About the Author

Jennie Keithson is a decorative type, a designer who loves to write about a trained home and office planner, lectures about plantation shutters, with all of her window shutters clientele. Check out her online shop for more info.

Article Directory Source: http://www.articlerich.com/profile/Allan-Michael-Taylor/45501

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