Learn more about how to find the best window shutter hardware for your needs.
Window shutters can be a beautiful addition to any home exterior. However, after deciding to install window shutters, you must determine which style and color you prefer as well as how the shutters will be installed. There are several pieces of window shutter hardware you must choose in order to create a beautiful design. After all, hardware is a small detail but one which can have a dramatic impact on your home’s exterior design. When choosing your shutter hardware at WalterWorks Hardware, remember the following strategies to find the best hardware for your home.
Seek Guidance
Selecting the right hardware for window shutters requires some experience and knowledge. When in doubt, talk to an experienced hardware dealer who can advise on some of the most effective window shutter hardware options, including the best hinges or pintel offsets.
Consider Your Home’s Age
If your home is older or has a vintage style, select hardware that contributes to the overall authentic appearance. For example, a slide bolt can keep shutters closed while adding a charming old-fashioned appearance. Visible S holdbacks and rat-tail holdbacks can also add a more historic aesthetic. Additionally, older homes typically have shutters that sit back at an angle when opened. Shutters for more modern homes tend to lie flat, so consider how the different offsets of the hinge and pintel will influence the way each shutter sits.
Consider Home Exterior Materials
Shutters will sit differently on various types of home exteriors, both in material and style. This is because the materials will impact how the window is installed. For example, brick homes will require a hardware attachment to the brickmold so the shutter can close into the window’s recess and open up to lay outside on the brick. Particular hardware will also be better for accommodating lap siding and trim board, among other materials and styles.
Account for Shutter Thickness
The thickness of each shutter will impact which offsets are needed for efficient operation. The thickness must be considered when choosing window shutter hardware to ensure the shutter will close properly and fully open up against the exterior wall.
Consider Visibility
Do you want visible shutter hardware from the front or back? A strap hinge might look more appealing for front-exposed hardware than an L hinge, especially if the shutter has three hinges. Hinge style will be less important if the hardware is exposed to the rear.
Consider Adding Acorn Holdbacks
For tall shutters (five feet and above), decorative holdbacks, such as S holdbacks, sit low on the shutter and will not hold up the top well. This one holdback will likely not be strong enough to prevent vibration in the wind. Adding acorn holdbacks behind each shutter can help anchor the shutters to prevent movement and damage while retaining the look of the S holdback on the front.
Choose Your Home Hardware From WalterWorks
No matter what type of home hardware and decorative touches you choose, WalterWorks Hardware has the expertise and supplies you need. Residents throughout Maryland, Washington, D.C., and the northern Virginia area love us for our fantastic hardware and unbeatable knowledge. For more information, please call us at (410) 263-9711 or contact us online. For more tips on choosing hardware for your home, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Houzz, and Pinterest.