Shutters


 If you live in a storm zone, you might have shutters. If your house is colonial or Victorian, you might have shutters. When we bought our house, we had no knowledge of the different types or how much they cost. To our great chagrin, we have learmed! 

There are two types we used on our home: Bahamas and colonial. They each fasten differently to windows and protect in slightly different ways. 

Then there’s the issue of shutter dogs. I’ll add pictures of these metal things, often s shaped, that hold the shutters in place. 

Also, since our shutters are protective and not just decorative, we learned about latching systems. 

Originally, I bet shutters and all their hardware were plentiful and cheap. I imagine carpenters populated Galveston and constantly manufactured all sizes of shutters. It’s not uncommon to have 6 different window sizes requiring all different shapes of protection.  It’s hard and pricey to buy all the shutters needed, so we worked with a couple of different craftsmen to patch together a plan. 


The house looks really naked here without the shutters! 

Many repairs as Angel found rotted wood. You can’t see it without close inspection! But it’s a constant disintegration near the sea.

We observed these Bahama shutters and thought they would work for areas where pipes rimmed the window, and Colonials would not took right. 
It seems plumbing was first installed this way on many homes. 
Ours is no exception. 

As we began reinstalls repaired and painted shutters, you can see how they complete the house. We noticed our neighbors chose contrasting colors that pop. The shutters before and after are like me, with and without mascara 👀
Here is the original teal color as repairs were starting. 


Originally, I bet shutters and all their hardware were plentiful and cheap. I imagine carpenters populated Galveston and constantly manufactured all sizes of shutters. It’s not uncommon to have 6 different window sizes requiring all different shapes of protection.  It’s hard and pricey to buy all the shutters needed, so we worked with a couple of different craftsmen to patch together a plan. 

In 2020, we ended up nailing plywood on many windows. Our shutters were damaged or missing. Hurricanes formed several time in the gulf, and forecasters insisted they would make landfall. Sadly for Louisiana and Florida, they veered east, but we practiced Hurricane 101 protocols. For us, it was just a “dry run.”

If you have a historical home, you might need permission for repairs and especially changes made on the outside. Since we wanted to put Bahama shutters on some windows, we were sure to ask permission. We got the ok. 

For some jobs, contractors need special certification for cities. This ends up being a lot of red tape to do essential jobs, but skipping over it can cause job delays. I'll post more pics in the days ahead. 


We had to replace latches to hold the shutters to the window. Originally, they were latched differently. We bought hinges and such from this company: 

You might find hardware here: 

https://www.houseofantiquehardware.com/shop-by-type?GCID=S14464x015&KEYWORD=antique%20hardware&partner=gpc?GCID=S14464x015&KEYWORD=antique%20hardware&partner=gpc&gclid=Cj0KCQiAqOucBhDrARIsAPCQL1b-MAofLo92GP_-CAdH4zwSqGroIXE8QA1E9pNCIohURiSDipX-8dUaAiMfEALw_wcB

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