All About Accordion Shutters

Accordion shutters are great solution for extra wide, vista-type windows. Sometimes called bi-fold, these are multi-paneled shutters that can span a larger window opening.

Accordions do just as they sound, they fold into each other. Think of the old timer organ grinders with the monkey in the red fez and vest on the street corners. He was playing a type of accordion. The instrument moved back and forth and folded into little triangles. Same concept.

The thing you need to be careful about when it comes to accordion shutters is the sturdiness. Wood is your best bet. This style of shutter is framed all the way around with thicker stiles that can help each panel fold back without it warping out of shape.

If your window is over three feet across, consider getting accordion shutters. You can get two panels hinged together on each side for a total of four panels across the entire length of the window pane. Traditionally, they fold back to the right side of the window. Since this is standard, you need to make sure you have clearance on the right side of your window to accommodate the panels.

Even though most accordion shutters will not fold completely flat, you still have to make allowances. So if your window is near the corner of a room, this type may not work well for you. Check with your local home improvement store. Many ready-made shutters can be flipped and still look the same, whether they are hinged to open left or right.

Some bi-folds, also called accordion shutters by designers, will fold either way (left or right) and can be hinged to where two panels meet the two other in the middle. These are not "true" accordions, though many people inter-exchange the terms. Thus, when you are looking to purchase, be really clear on the type you want. It may be easier to say how many panels you want and if you want them to open in the middle or all to one side.

Accordion shutters come in single, double or even triple tiered varieties. It all depends on the height of your windows. The tiers have a sturdy rail bar or board in between the slats that helps frame each panel and keep it plumb. The rail bar is often twice as thick as the traditional louver. So, if your louvers are 1 inch thick, the rail bar will be 1 1/2 to 2 inches thick. When measuring the height, that is a good thing to keep in mind.

It used to be you could not get them in the Plantation style because the slats tended to be too big and cumbersome. Traditional shutters were the only style of accordions you could get. But today with lighter woods and faux woods, even Plantations can be found in this style.

That's great because you can -cover a larger window span, more readily adjust the width of the opening to regulate the amount of light or breeze you wish to let into the room and provide a clean, crisp and classy look to your windows

If you have larger window and really enjoy the view, but like your privacy, too, consider accordion shutters. They may be the perfect solution. They definitely class up the place.

Acanthus Pattern