Kirtz Shutters builds only the finest of custom plantation shutters, so when a homeowner came to us wanting to not only treat a large window with a 1/2 circle top with a plantation shutter, but also add decorative millwork, we were happy to oblige.

arch window before shutters

arch 1/2 circle window with plantation shutters and sunburst top

A sunburst this large can only be made out of the true hardwood.  Kirtz uses only maple for our painted product, not poplar or basswood like most manufacturers.  That is because maple is twice as dense as basswood, letting us build a wider, taller and STRONGER shutter than average. 

If you are searching for a shutter company that will build a product with excellence to address even your most complicated of windows, Kirtz Shutters is the company for you!

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.

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.

• Shutters are built from Cypress, which is a long lasting choice for exterior products
• The color is custom to match to the deck stain, which was Sherwin Williams Deckscapes, Hawthorne
• Hardware is fully functional
• Louver size is 3″- which is a nice scale for this size panels (apx 35 x 72″), but provides limited visibility when opened.  Not a concern for this homeowner since the whole point of the shutters was to block the new less than desirable view

In this space…

3 1/2″ louvers were used to maximize the view, as this is a lakefront property.

Built out of white oak, Kirtz hardwood shutters were custom stained to match the hardwood flooring in the home.

Kirtz created a custom framing profile to compliment other mill-work in the space.

Here are a few before and after photos~

stairway window, almost 10 feet tall

Shutters on almost 10' tall window

custom trim profile milled by Kirtz

Also on display this year is our new line of exterior shutters.  Whether for the front of your house, or as added protection and privacy in your exterior living space, Kirtz Shutters is willing to help design a shutter solution to fit your needs.

Located in the Quik Trip Center at Expo Square, you can find Kirtz Shutters in booth 841

Show Days and Times are as follows

Thurs     March 10 5pm-9pm

Fri, Sat    March 11-12 10am-9pm

Sunday March 13 11am-6pm

New for 2011 is our line of custom exterior shutters.  Perfect for outdoor rooms that need privacy and sun protection, these shutters made of cypress reflect some of our most custom work.

Stop by the Kirtz booth and visit with Heather Langhofer, local Wichita representative, and Chris Tietz, owner of Kirtz Shutters.  During your visit you can set of your appointment for our complimentary in home consultation.

Kirtz Shutters, locally manufactured in Stillwater, OK, are know state wide for their craftsmanship and highly custom capabilities.  At the Kirtz Shutters booth homeowners can see just a few of the many custom offerings available by Kirtz and popular in home construction and renovation today.

New this year are examples of exterior bahama style shutters and traditional louvered shutters made our of cypress for lasting durability.  These exterior shutter panels are popular options for outdoor living spaces, and exterior home accents.

Visit with Mack Tietz, Central Oklahoma sales representative and Chris Tietz, business owner, this weekend at booth 433 in the Cox Pavilion at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds.

January 21 12pm - 9pm

January 22 10am - 9pm

January 23 10am - 6pm

We will be displaying our premier quality shutters including our plantation shutter and exterior shutters, which comprise of our new bahama style.

Come out and see our beautiful custom shutters first hand and also meet with Kirtz Shutters representative for Tulsa, Don Watson, at BOOTH 148

SHOW TIMES AND DATES

Friday, September 10th Noon-6pm

Saturday, September 11th 10am-8pm

Sunday, September 12th 11am-5pm

Today, plantation shutters typically fill up an entire window opening, not just half, and are often the size of the window itself.  This makes for a substantial shutter panel and a different method of securing it is necessary.

Magnets

The Kirtz Shutter standard is to use magnets.  These are not your ordinary magnets.  Each magnet holds up to 25 lbs of weight and each shutter panel is held in place with at least two magnets.  These magnets are placed opposite the hinge side of the shutter either on the framework that comes with the shutter, or the customers existing window jamb.  They are located near the top, bottom and sometimes center of the unit.    A catch plate is then attached in the same location on the back of the shutter panel itself.  The result is that when the panel is closed shut, the magnets hold it in place tightly.  So tightly that you need to give the shutter panel a substantial tug to get it open.

Magnet used to hold plantation shutters shut

catch plate installed on the back of the panel that connects to the magnet

Ball Catches

At times, do to special applications,  unusually large shutter panels, or consumer preference,  a ball catch will be used instead of magnets.  A cylindrical hole is drilled into the stile (vertical part) of the shutter at the bottom and/or top of the panel.  The ball catch is then inserted into the hole and secured in place with screws.  A catch plate is secured onto the header and sill of the frame or the customers jamb.  The amount of force needed to open and close the shutter can be changed by adjusting the ball to sit either deeper in the panel for an easier open, or further proud of the panel for more resistance.

ball catch located in the bottom of the shutter panel