Frame Your Front Door and Filter Light with Style with Sidelight Shutters
The entryway to your home makes the all-important first impression on visitors. An elegantly framed front door surrounded by stylish sidelight shutters showcases curb appeal while keeping interiors private.
As window treatments designed for the uniquely narrow windows flanking doorways, sidelight shutters add practicality beyond just aesthetics. Their adjustable, tilted louvers artfully filter in daylight at desired angles. Fully closed, they prevent direct outdoor views into the foyer for privacy. Compared to interior options like curtains, these sturdy shutters built specifically for exterior installation provide better light control, noise dampening, and security.
The Benefits of Adding Sidelight Shutters
More than just visually captivating, sidelight shutters offer many advantages.
- Enhanced Lighting Control - Their angled louvers filter and shape light streams through side windows for interior ambience control.
- Increased Privacy - Fully shut, the louvers overlap to block direct sightlines into entry areas.
- Energy Efficiency - They insulate indoor spaces from temperature exchanges and outdoor noise.
- Security - As sturdy barriers with filtered visibility, they discourage break-in attempts.
- Improved Curb Appeal - Attractive sidelight shutters flanking doorways create an elegant first impression and framing effect.
Whether made of durable composite wood or aluminum materials, sidelight shutters are available in styles ranging from traditional to modern. They can be painted to match any front door color.
Getting the Perfect Fit - Measuring Your Sidelights
Achieving an optimal mix of style and functionality requires accurately measured custom shutters sized to your unique doorway sidelight dimensions.
You'll Need to Measure
- The exact width at the top, middle, and bottom of the sidelight openings. Account for any tapering by taking measurements at all three heights.
- The exact height at the far left, center, and far right sides of the frames. Note any height differences.
- The diagonal measurements from top left to bottom right, and then top right to bottom left corners. These confirm the openings are perfectly rectangular.
Professional installation ensures a precision fit. However, with the right tools and patience, DIY enthusiasts can self-install sidelight shutters successfully themselves.
Installation Tips for DIYers
Follow these steps for smooth shutter mounting:
- Use a screwdriver to remove any existing window treatments and prepare the smooth sidelight frames.
- Compare your measurements against the custom-sized shutter panels ordered to verify accuracy before starting.
- Attach top shutter rails to the upper sidelight frames using long screws. Ensure screws bite firmly into structural framing or brick behind the drywall for durability.
- Hang shutter panels onto the top rails. Then secure bottoms with screws into frames or underlying structures.
- Test opening and closing shutters. Adjust until the panels operate smoothly without rubbing against frames.
With panels hung straight and louvers moving freely, you're ready to enjoy the benefits of controlled visibility, natural light filters, and enhanced curb appeal sidelight shutters provide!
Caring for Your New Sidelight Shutters
A few seasonal maintenance checks coupled with occasional cleaning preserves their visual appeal and smooth function.
Handy Maintenance Tips
- Inspect shutters and hardware for loose screws, damage, wear and tear before winter and summer seasons.
- Test louver adjustability, ensuring they pivot easily to control light filtering.
- Replace damaged panels or louvers right away. Warping can prevent adequate closure and light control.
- Consider recoating shutter surfaces every 2-3 years to refresh their appearance against weathering elements.
For cleaning, a soft brush removes debris between louvers. Use mild soap and water with a soft cloth on panels, applied gently to avoid abrasions to any painted finish. Avoid harsh chemicals.
With occasional minor upkeep, sidelight shutters remain beautiful facades enhancing privacy for years to come!
Alternatives Worth Considering
While no other options match sidelight shutters for durability and custom control over light and lines of sight, the following treatments have situational benefits:
- Blinds - Easy to install yourself and economical, though they lack privacy, noise insulation, and curb appeal.
- Curtains - Softer look and can overlay glass elegantly, but don't hold form well around doors. Limited light filtering ability.
- Smart Glass - Effective privacy film application, though expensive. Doesn't enhance exterior visuals.
There's no matching the impression sidelight shutters make for guests while giving homeowners complete command over privacy and illumination. Their custom fit, finishes, and seamless functionality framing front doors provide timeless allure and purpose unique from any alternative.