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Updating your home with KIRTZ SHUTTERS

Tuesday, June 5th, 2012

I had the foresight on this recent project to take some photos before, so you can truly see how stunning the after can be with the right window treatments.

Initially the windows had been treated with faux wood blinds by the previous homeowner.  The new homeowner loved the look of shutters and, like many parents, had safety concerns with the lift and tilt strings on the wood blinds.

Take a look at the transformation!

before plantation shutters

before plantation shutters

plantation shutter in breakfast nook by Kirtz Shutters

plantation shutter in breakfast nook by Kirtz Shutters

after adding 4 1/2" maple wood plantation shutters by Kirtz Shutters

after adding 4 1/2" maple wood plantation shutters by Kirtz Shutters

The only thing I hate about these photos is that they don’t show the awesome view you get with a 4 1/2″ louver on a plantation shutter.  To get them open enough to show that detail, the sunlight is so bright you can’t see anything at all!  But, a 4 1/2″ louver is on 4″ spacing, meaning you only have a louver every four inches.  Clients are AMAZED at how different that can make a room look.
These next photos show how a Kirtz Shutter (especially a large louver)  really does make a space feel more grand!
Home Office with Wood Blinds

Home Office with Wood Blinds

Home Office with Plantation Shutter by Kirtz Shutters

Home Office with Plantation Shutter by Kirtz Shutters

Another question I am often asked… “Should I leave those second story windows open?  I love the natural light!”   Personally I sway back and forth on my answer to this question, but here is a look a a room where we did leave the windows open.

Kirtz Shutters in lower windows, transoms open

Kirtz Shutters in lower windows, transoms open

Call or email Kirtz Shutters today-  We can help you with quality wood plantation shutters in your home!

800-416-6455

http://www.kirtz.com/wheretobuy.html

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Mixing Finishes on your Plantation Shutters

Thursday, October 20th, 2011

After several years of a love affair with dark, rich woodwork we are having several requests to help homeowners “lighten up” a room with there plantation shutters.

Given the size of investment made when purchasing a plantation shutter, there is often a concern of future regret by the homeowner.

My professional opening on that matter can vary depending on the room itself, but I will say with utmost confidence that it can be done — and in a very tasteful way.

There are a two methods to do so:

Cover up casing with a new shutter and casing frame, thus eliminating any direct contrast of dark casing and painted shutters.  The casing stays in place, so if the shutters ever come down, the original mill work design is still in tack (albeit with a few screw holes to touch up).

or

Make the transition obvious and intentional.  This works best when the painted shutter is chosen in a color to complement the existing trim.  For instance, if you have rich, warm dark brown trim- choose a paint color with complementary undertones, such as a nice cream color as opposed to a stark, pure white.  Then you will find the shutters look as if they were part of the design plan from the beginning.     Of course, since we custom color match at Kirtz Shutters, your options are only limited by your imagination.

If you are building a house, you may have the opportunity to tie in other painted elements in the home so that the mix reads thoughtful and intentional.

Below shows a breakfast nook with beautiful stained mill work, and gorgeous painted Kirtz Shutters.

Painted Shutters with Stained Casing
Painted Shutters with Stained Casing

This photo goes to show that with just a little forthought, you can have shutters that compliment your homes design, even in a different finish!

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A traditional take on plantation shutters + installation with corner block trim

Tuesday, June 28th, 2011

This project shows the Kirtz Custom Shutter in a very traditional application.  The panels are small, the louvers a 2 1/2″ wide.   The shutter were built of Red Oak and custom stained to match the homeowners mill work.

The home, colonial in style, has corner blocks in window mill work.   The windows were double hung and had about 1″ of mounting space.  Although many shutter professionals will tell you the obvious choice was an outside mount, perhaps around the casing- that unnecessarily increases your cost by making the shutter unit larger, not to mention covers up what, in this instance, was very nice mill work.

 Our solution?

An L frame that sits inside the window jamb, and protrudes out slightly past the casing.  This allows the shutter to be inside the window, showing off the mill work, and yet allow enough room for the louvers to tilt without hitting the glass.

Then, to help make the transition, we sent our standard trim.  The installer then cut a groove into the trim onsite so that it would miter  flush around the corner blocks.

The result? 

Shutters that look like they were part of the homes design, not an after thought.

Bedroom Before
trim notch corner block
close up of shutter on corner block with trim
traditional shutters in master bed


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Special Projects: ellipse eyebrow shutter

Monday, January 25th, 2010

Another unique custom shutter to move through our facility recently was an ellipse shape that was destined for a home in Florida. There are a few features that made this plantation shutter stand apart from the rest.

1) Solid Walnut Plantation Shutter
2) Special 7″ deep framework served as an extension jamb designed to work with European style windows made by Tischler Und Son windows.
3) Unit size was 136 1/4″ wide by 39 1/2″ tall
4)  Ellipse shape required the hands of our most skilled artisans.
5) Shutter panels on the wings had fixed louvers per the customers request and the center pair were operable.
This walnut shutter spanned over 136" wide

This walnut shutter spanned over 136" wide

Notice the elliptical curvature of this custom walnut shutter.
Notice the elliptical curvature of this custom walnut shutter.

Do you have a highly custom project?  If so, we can help!  Call us at 800-416-6455.

 

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Rustic Shutters a Good Fit for Log Homes

Monday, November 30th, 2009

Homeowners who choose to build or buy log homes have one thing in common.  A love for wood!  Naturally, custom shutters are a great fit for log homes.

Plantation Shutters by Kirtz Shutters can be made from rustic woods such as knotty pine, knotty alder, western red cedar, cypress or reclaimed wormy chestnut.

Since all Kirtz Shutters are custom built to order, a homeowner can choose the wood that best compliments  his/her scheme and have Kirtz custom match the finish used in the home, or even match the flooring!

Unlike other window treatment, custom shutters can be built to fit into triangle windows, also called rake windows, to help control light.  Below are examples of rustic shutters and shaped shutters made by Kirtz.

Knotty Pine interior shutters compliment this rustic ranch home

Knotty Pine interior shutters compliment this rustic ranch home

This log home used plantation shutters for their shaped windows

This log home used plantation shutters for their shaped windows

Interested in log home design options?  Check out this link   http://www.stockadestyleloghomes.ca/

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Cafe Doors

Monday, October 26th, 2009

We have produced a variety of cafe doors for both public and private use.   Interested in cafe doors?   Consider the following when designing your doors.

Fixed louvers- typically, all cafe door louvers are fixed.  The purpose of these doors is to obscure the view from one area into another and provide easy access, making fixed louvers a natural.  If you prefer the look of a tilt rod, it can be ordered as such.  You may want to tighten the louver tension so that the louvers are not moved unless that is your intention.

Design- the top of the cafe door can be a simple rectangular top, slightly curved or elaborately designed.  See example photos below or submit your own unique design.

Proportion- as with all our custom shutters, cafe doors are built to order.  Depending on the level of privacy you need, cafe doors are usually between 3′-5′ high, possibly higher.    A good rule of thumb is to take your opening height and order your shutters 1/2 to 2/3 the total height.  Also pay attention to where you want them positioned.  Are you taller than average?  You may want to hinge them higher to obstruct your site line.

Hardware- cafe doors must be installed with cafe door pivot hardware.  Unlike a standard hinge that allows 90 degree access, the pivot hardware allows the shutter to rotate a full 180 degrees.  For a commercial application, bommer hinges are recommended.  These are spring loaded hinges that swing the door back into the closed position after being pushed open.  (Please note, width deductions taken on cafe style openings are more than a standard shutter panel.  This is necessary for the hardware to operate properly and allow the shutter to swing correctly.)

Installation- Solid wood jambs are the ideal surface to install your cafe doors. If you have only a drywall opening, don’t despair.  Order your cafe doors with mounting strips.  These square four sided wood strips can be secured to your jamb and through a stud and provide the pivot hardware a solid surface on which to mount.

cafe style shutter, with arch top

cafe style shutter, with arch top

Decorative Cafe Doors

Decorative Cafe Doors

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Plantation Shutter with Insect Screens

Friday, October 23rd, 2009

Yet another unusual custom shaped shutter shipped from our facility this week.  These shutters, were headed to a home in NY and had an insect screen built into them!

How did we do it?

  1. The shutter was made at 2 1/4″ thickness, this is 1″ thicker than our standard plantation shutter.  As with all painted Kirtz Shutters, they were made of solid maple.
  2. The stiles (side pieces)  were made 3 1/8″ wide (an 1″ wider than standard)  and the rails were made flush with the stile.
  3. 2 1/2″ louvers were used and rather than center them in the middle of the stiles,  as is our standard process, they were moved forward.  This allowed the shutter louvers to fully pivot open and closed without protruding from the backside of the shutter.
  4. A groove was cut in the backside of the shutter all the way around it.  The insect screen was stretched tight, and vinyl cording pushed into the groove was used to secured the screen in place.  This is very similar to how screens are inserted into aluminum frameworks for windows.
  5. Finally, a custom piece of trimwork was made and placed so that it covered the grooved area for a clean finished look on the backside.
Arched Plantation Shutter with insect screen inserted into custom groove

Arched Plantation Shutter with insect screen inserted into custom groove

Trim covers insect screen in this custom shutter

Trim covers insect screen in this custom shutter

Plantation Shutter (backside) complete with insect screen

Plantation Shutter (backside) complete with insect screen

plantation shutter, frontside, with insect screen
plantation shutter, frontside, with insect screen

The Kirtz Shutter factory has amazing flexability for two reasons.  First, the right tools.  We  do it all in house,  from making parts to speciality finishes.  Second (and most important), the people.   Kirtz Shutters  is composed of many skilled  men and women in each department who are not afraid  to tackle the most unique of challenges when building a custom shutter.

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Italian Rustic- Tuscan Style Shutters

Friday, October 16th, 2009
Tuscan interiors are very popular in the US right now.  A new book, Italian Rustic, written by Elizabeth Minchilli, details a variety of authentic Tuscan homes.    From wall finishes, to flooring, to windows and even shutters, she discusses the construction methods and how you can replicate this look in your home.

On my recent trip to Italy, I was intrigued with the shutters that are so common on the inside and outside of a Tuscan home.   According to Elizabeth, Italians have an intricate system for setting windows and shutters.     Interior shutters, called Scuri’s, are primarily designed to provide darkness.  Notice how in the photo from her book, the shutter itself is designed to fit snugly in the jamb area of the glass with a bit of overlap, insuring maximum darkness when closed.

Interior Tuscan Style Shutters

Interior Tuscan Style Shutters

If you are looking to bring a little Tuscany to your home, consider customizing your plantation shutter to be reminiscent of the style of a Tuscan shutter.   For instance, by adding a raised panel to the bottom of a shutter you can maintain the functionality and light control of a plantation shutter, while attaining the charm associated with a Tuscan home.

Tuscan inspired shutter by Kirtz Shutters

Tuscan inspired shutter by Kirtz Shutters

Choosing rustic materials, such as knotty alder or reclaimed wood for your shutters is another way to incorporate the feeling of age and permanence found in Tuscan farm homes.
Bring your shutter ideas to Kirtz Shutters, and we help you add a little Tuscany to your home.

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Plantation Shutters in Architectural Shapes

Monday, October 5th, 2009

Occasionally we will get a request to make a shutter shape that is quite unique.   This presents an interesting challenge to the specialties department who builds all of our plantation shutters out of different shapes.

Curved Plantation Shutter

This is not your standard treatment for a bay window.  The window and glass this unit was built for actually curved, and the client wanted curved shutters to treat it.  One of the most challenging shapes we’ve ever built, and the most unique.

curvedlouverweb

Bell Top Plantation Shutter

A interior shutter unit that other shutter companies would not touch, this client called us desperate for a solution, and  Kirtz was happy to tackle this challenge.  To build a plantation shutter with this type of curved top required the attention of our premier craftsman.

The top of this plantation shutter is bell shaped
The top of this plantation shutter is bell shaped

Specialty Sunburst Shutters

This sunburst is created from two different woods, maple and paduk, that has been precisely fitted together.  This was built years before CNC machines became available to us, and nicely demonstrates the quality Kirtz Shutters is capable of producing.

A sunburst shutter crafted from maple and paduk wood

A sunburst shutter crafted from maple and paduk wood

Our motto is  “if it has glass, we can build a shutter for it”.  For all your windows, especially your challenging ones, look to Kirtz Shutters.

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Custom Louvered Doors

Monday, September 28th, 2009

Kirtz is always doing something customized for our plantation shutters, from the finishes applied to the specs, we are very flexible about doing what it takes to meet our customers needs.

Recently 2 pair of custom doors moved through our production line with some very unusual specifications.  They were to be used as sliding pocket doors in a dining room.

The unique specs on these custom shutter doors were as follows (see photos below):

  • One stile was 5″ wide, the other 4″ wide, so that when taking into consideration the overlap inside the pocket, when they were pulled shut the doors would look symmetrical.
  • Each door was composed of an inner and outer stile.  The outside stile was 2 1/4″ thick, and the inner, drop down stile was 2″ thick with 1 3/4″ face.
  • All joints were mitered, instead of our standard butt joint.
  • Customers own, custom blended custom latex enamel was used, instead of our oil based lacquer finish.
  • Panels were 112″ high

These doors were quite different than anything else that has been through our factory before, but we were happy to contribute to this project.

If you need a shutter, louvered door or other product with unique specifications call Kirtz Shutters, we are ready to help!

Custom Louvered Doors

Custom Louvered Doors

Close up of door, showing special custom stile/rail configuration

Close up of door, showing special custom stile/rail configuration

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