Ways with shutters

Tired of dust-collecting curtains and blinds? Think shutters, writes Cape Town architect Nathalie Pencrec’h.

The performance of shutters depends on their design, but regardless of their style, they’ll add movement and interest to your walls.

Traditionally made from wood, shutters hang on the inside or outside of a casement window to protect it against the elements, shut out light and provide privacy.

Choose shutters according to the design of your house and the function they should provide. For instance, divider-type shutters allow light in while keeping the bottom half of the window closed for privacy, louvre shutters filter the amount of light entering a room according to the size and angle of the louvres, and metal shutters are great for security purposes.

They also contribute to the insulation of your home, limiting thermal exchange thanks to the air trapped between the shutters and windows. In terms of insulation, rolling and sliding shutters are more efficient than articulated and folding shutters, and wood performs better than metal and PVC.

Whatever your choice is, it’s best to incorporate them into the initial stages of your design to maximise efficiency and aesthetics.

Subscribe to Nathalie Pencrec’h’s e-newsletter by sending a mail to nathalie@nathaliepencrech.co.za. Also visit her website at www.nathaliepencrech.co.za.