Scotland’s historic homes are heritage landmarks, each with a unique charm and style that connects us to our past. For homeowners lucky enough to live in one, we know it can be difficult to preserve that stunning character whilst incorporating modern functionality.
Though they might seem like small details, window treatments can make a significant difference in enhancing both aesthetics and practicality. Shutters for historic homes, with their deep historical roots, offer the perfect shading solution to fit the bill.
But can modern shutters work in all traditional and period properties? And if so, which works best?
In this guide, we’ll explore how shutters can enhance the beauty and functionality of period properties while respecting traditional aesthetics and offering more modern benefits!
Scottish Architectural Styles: A Brief Overview
Historic homes in Scotland feature a diverse range of architectural styles, each with distinct window shapes. Here’s an overview of the most common styles you’ll find in our beautiful country.
Scots Baronial
These grand, imposing homes feature turrets and crow-stepped gables and often conjure up a defensive feel. The windows of these properties tend to be small with stone mullions.
Scots Renaissance
This style blends Renaissance and medieval designs and often features ornate decoration, dormer windows, and crow-stepped gables (corbie stanes). Larger windows and sash windows are common among Scots Renaissance buildings.
Victorian
Victorian homes are highly decorative. They are well known for their elaborate detailing and bay window configurations and are often constructed out of a mix of materials, such as stone, brick and timber. It’s common to find sash windows adorning this type of property.
Georgian
Characterised by their symmetry, Georgian homes showcase balanced proportions and understated elegance. Sash windows with multiple panes are typical of this property design.
Edwardian
Compared to Victorian houses, Edwardian properties are much simpler in line and structure. They give off an Arts & Crafts influenced vibe and often feature red brick and mock-timber details.
Traditional Cottages
These vary significantly by region but often present with stone construction, small-paned windows and thatched or slate roofs.
Farmhouses
With an emphasis on functionality and practicality, Scottish farmhouses typically have a mixture of window styles built using local materials. The windows of these properties can be in a mix of styles depending on the age and location of the home.
The Best Shutter Styles For Historic Homes
Whilst shutters for historic homes are a stunning shading solution, not all shutters suit every architectural style. In this section, we run through the most appropriate shutter options for different types of historic homes.
Full Height Shutters
Combining versatility with classic appeal, full-height shutters for historic homes suit various window types and shapes. This style of modern shutter covers the entire window, providing top-level privacy and light control. Their timeless, sleek look adapts well to various architectural styles, making them one of the top shutters for historic homes.
Tier-On-Tier Shutters
Tier-on-tier shutters offer increased flexibility as modern shutters for historic homes. Because the top and bottom sections open independently, this shutter style is perfect for homes with tall windows, such as Edwardian and Victorian properties.
Solid Panel Shutters
Solid panel shutters were traditionally used in the design of many historic and period properties, making them an ideal choice where maintaining the historical accuracy of a home’s aesthetics is a priority.
Modern Benefits Of Shutters For Period Homes
Many period homes experience unique challenges regarding things like insulation and light control. Let’s take a look at the advantages of shutters for historic homes.
Light Control
Louvred shutters like full-height and tier-on-tier shutters can be adjusted, allowing superb control over light levels. This element of shutters for historic homes can be particularly useful for large, dark rooms in period properties where natural light is limited.
Insulation
Expertly fitted, high-quality shutters help insulate rooms in older homes, reducing energy bills and regulating the indoor temperature in the winter months. Solid-panel shutters, in particular, perform well when it comes to preserving heat and saving energy.
Noise Reduction
For homes situated in busy locations, shutters help to maintain peace indoors by blocking unwanted external noises.
Low Maintenance
Functional, durable and easy to look after, there’s a reason so many people are investing in shutters. For historic homes, which already require plenty of upkeep, shutters only require minimal cleaning and should last for many years – unlike curtains and blinds, which can require frequent laundering, repairing and replacing as they wear.
Conservation Areas And Listed Buildings
Some historic homes are situated in conservation areas or listed as heritage properties. This often means that renovations require special planning permissions, which can be a roadblock for projects on your wishlist.
The good news?
Shutters can be installed without causing any damage to walls and other features, meaning they are a permissible modification – as long as the installation is sympathetic to the property’s original design. Because they can be customised to match specific colours, you can easily preserve your property’s traditional appearance.
However, at the Scottish Shutter Company, we advise consulting with a conservation officer before starting a project to ensure your plans won’t infringe on any restrictions. We’re happy to assist with any questions they may have, supporting you in fulfilling your shutter-fueled dreams and achieving a more energy-efficient and functional home.
A Modern Take On A Traditional Feature
Shutters provide the perfect solution for mixing tradition with modern functionality. They nestle in among the original character of period properties without overpowering it whilst enhancing practical features such as enhanced light control and improved insulation. Shutters for historic homes can also be customised to fit a huge range of window shapes and sizes, from awkward small windows to grand bays.
Ready to find the perfect shutters for your historic home? Get in touch with the Scottish Shutter Company today to find out how we can help you make the most out of your property.
