Window shutters
in timber
The shutter is the component on the house that has to take the most punishment. Whether it lasts twenty years or five is decided in the construction.
Weather resistance is structural, not chemical
A shutter hangs unprotected in front of the facade - rain driven at it, sun all day, frost in winter. No coating on earth withstands that indefinitely if the construction lets water stand. Durability is therefore decided first by the build: water must be able to run off, end grain has to be protected, horizontal surfaces are given a fall, and joints are made so that moisture cannot creep in.
Only then does the surface finish come into it. That order is why some shutters give up after five years while others need nothing more than a repaint after twenty.
Choosing timber for the weather side
For exposed components the timbers worth considering are those that are naturally durable - oak, larch and robinia rank high here because they resist moisture and fungal attack even without a permanent protective film. Softwoods are cheaper but need a well-kept coating and are less forgiving of neglect.
Where it suits, we use native timbers. On historic fabric that has the added advantage that colour and grain match what is already there. Which timber makes sense in a particular case depends on orientation, roof overhang and how often you want to maintain it - we discuss that before ordering.
Reproducing historic shutters
On old houses the shutter is a defining element: the angle of the louvres, the width of the frame, the type of catch and the wrought-iron ironmongery all set the character of the facade. We reproduce existing shutters, make good missing pieces to match, and carry on using the original ironmongery wherever it still holds.
At the von Winning winery in Deidesheim the shutters were part of the full refurbishment - reproduced to the historic pattern, together with the windows and doors of the building.
New shutters to measure
Hinged, sliding or louvred - louvre form, frame and ironmongery matched to facade and window.
Reproduction to match
Missing or ruined shutters made good to match the existing stock, mouldings included.
Overhaul
Stripping existing shutters, making good damaged timber, freeing the ironmongery and recoating - often the more economical route.
Frequently asked questions
Oak, larch and robinia are naturally durable and therefore the first choice for heavily exposed shutters. They cope for a good while even when the coating is overdue. Softwoods such as spruce or pine are cheaper but need an intact finish and regular checking.
Shutters are more exposed than windows, so the intervals are shorter - roughly every four to seven years depending on orientation. The bottom edges and the end grain tell you first: that is where water gets in. Recoating before the finish splits saves rebuilding it from scratch.
Often yes. Frames and louvres are frequently sound at the core while the bottom edges and the ironmongery have suffered. Damaged sections can be cut out and made good, and individual louvres replaced. We look at the shutters and say what is worth doing - where the timber is soft throughout we advise a new build rather than a repair that will not hold.
Yes, and that is what they are for: in summer they keep the heat in front of the glass rather than behind it, and work considerably better than any internal blind. Add to that protection against storms and privacy. The condition is that catch and fastening are made so the shutters are easy to operate - otherwise they simply stay open.
Get in touch
Have a project in mind? We look forward to hearing from you.