Window shutters – from Ancient Greece to your home

Back to the beginning of window shutters

Window shutters – a thing of beauty. They can transform not only the internal finish of our homes but they can make the exterior eye-catching to passers-by. Shutters have an extensive history, with traces back to medieval times and are synonymous with a traditional English home. In this month’s blog, we look into the history of shutters, where they started and how they have evolved over time to once again become popular with many homeowners across the UK.

We saw shutters become popular in ancient Greece, although the material was very different! Marble was favoured in Greece due to its incredible strength. However, the material was also very difficult to work with, which naturally did not make it as popular as it could have been.

The Mediterranean made wooden shutters incredibly popular due to the ease of working with the material and that both light and air control were possible with wooden shutters. The Mediterranean shutters originally created have much resemblance to the styles we see today.

Wooden shutters were not often used in conjunction with windows, but instead in many cases. In the Tudor period, thick boards of wood were used in shutter style to cover window spaces where excess light and cold winds could get into the home. Eventually, when glass was introduced, it was so expensive that, for many people, it was unobtainable to begin with.

During the 16th Century, shutters were finally introduced as a decoration rather than for practical use. Ornamental designs on shutters were seen, and during the Victorian times, shutters were introduced as being both an internal and external option owing to houses becoming thinner in construction (thanks to brickwork!)

How have shutters changed today?

Luckily for us, today’s shutters market is huge and constantly expanding. We have so many choices when it comes to finding the perfect shutter type for our home, and with the support of The Oxford Shutter Company, their advice will mean your choice of shutter will look stunning from both the outside and inside.

Skylight shutters – shutters are perfectly suited to skylights and can often be the perfect option when you need to control the light in your room but can’t quite make other options work.

Tier-on-tier shutters – elegant and practical, tier-on-tier shutters are similar to full-height shutters but give you more flexibility on how you open them. For example, for a flow of air and less light, you can just open the top section.

Bay window shutters – for a cleaner look than curtains could ever provide, shutters for your bay windows are a great addition to any room, particularly if you are trying to gain as much space as possible. Endless choices provide a multitude of ways to dress your windows that make them look as good as the rest of the room.

Café-style shutters – minimalistic and stylish in design, cafe-style shutters are designed to only go part way up your window. This provides privacy and protection whilst still letting in the perfect amount of light. These shutter styles are perfect for a bathroom or kitchen, but you can have them anywhere you prefer.

Choosing shutters for your home will not only create a beautifully finished and clean look, but you will also get the benefit of light and air control. This could save on your heating and electric bills as well as promote a healthy flow of air throughout your home.

Another benefit that installing shutters provides is the protection of your home. No matter where you live, unless you are far away from anyone else, you will no doubt have an amount of pedestrian traffic past your window. This can be difficult to deal with as you don’t want everyone who walks past to be staring into your home, but you also don’t want to keep your curtains drawn all day. Shutters can offer the perfect solution for privacy without constant darkness.

You may also be interested in

Choosing a trusted window shutter company 

Window Shutters – a guide to saving energy and money in 2021 

Choosing the right window shutters for your home 

The Oxford Shutter Company – your local shutter experts

The Oxford Shutter Company have been sharing their knowledge and expertise on the choice and range of shutter styles available on the market today for over 20 years. As a family-run business, they understand the key to creating a beautiful family home that is both practical and stylish. Whether you a professional in a fast paced role, a family with multiple animals or a landlord looking to spruce up your current property folder, The Oxford Shutter Company can help you match the perfect shutter style to your home. Not only do we create beautiful shutters, but our team of carpenters will install your shutters and provide you with the perfect aftercare to keep your shutters in style and in use. Contact The Oxford Shutter Company today to book your free no-obligation quote today.