You can get them at any major home center or building supply. We've had ours (aluminum, I believe) installed in 1978 when the new front went up. They haven't faded or shown any need of paint or replacement.

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Brian B

I like this place and I think you will too...

http://www.philadelphiashutters.com/

Note that despite the name they are actually near Reading.

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That is the place.

Another good supplier is Timberlane. Here are two styles I like:

http://www.timberlaneshutters.com/ext_pan_fp6.php

http://www.timberlaneshutters.com/ext_pan_sh3.php

Real shutters , yes are very expensive for sure. more importantly is how the shutters should look when placed on your front, Real shutters did serve several purposes when they were in use some 100 years ago or so. The most important feature was protection from Indian raids, thats why the shutters on the first floor were always soild not louvered, the upper floors were louvered so you could see from the protection of your home and a higher plane anyone who was approaching.
I agree that the look of your home is most important, my suggestion is when ready to make improvements please by all means do some research so that you don't look foolish after your finished.
One other item I would like to mention is DO NOT PLACE A CARRAGIGE LAMP THROUGH THE SHUTTERS.
looks really dumb not to mention fake. Good luck with your project and if you need any help just hollar.

[quote=chuckie;407657]Real shutters did serve several purposes when they were in use some 100 years ago or so. The most important feature was protection from Indian raids, thats why the shutters on the first floor were always soild not louvered, the upper floors were louvered so you could see from the protection of your home and a higher plane anyone who was approaching.
QUOTE]

THAT explains why Indians raid my home every night. I never knew what the problem was.


Seriously though, thanks for the feedback. I will holler if I need any more help once we start the project. (Which technically means we still have to find a house to buy. One thing at a time).

i can attest to the lack of indian raids my shutters provide my home. it is exactly this peace of mind that lets me sleep at night.

Sorry, why bother if you're putting up a fake? And there is no man-made substance that "won't crack, peel, fade, etc..." Aluminum and vinyl salespeople have been trying to peddle that lie for 50 years, but it just isn't true.

From the NY Times:

--- http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=980 3E2DF1E38F930A15750C0A961958260&sec=&spon=&pagewan ted=print

And this on vinyl:

--- http://architecture.about.com/cs/repairremodel/a/v inyl.htm

If anyone buys this, see me about some swampland in Florida. Or perhaps you're interested in investing in the Brooklyn Bridge...

According to This Old House (and who better to look to?),

It's been said that American colonists pulled thick wooden shutters closed to shield their families from the arrows of attacking natives. While it's true that exterior shutters have provided protection against intruders, their primary purpose back then, as now, was to control light and air flow. . . . "Glass was also very expensive in those days and they wanted to protect it from being broken."

http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/know...194876,00.html

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---Shosh

Right, and any of the shutters on houses in Society Hill or South Philly were installed lonnnng after William Penn made peace with the native Americans and after the subsequent decimation of the native population.

In short, there were never "Indian raids" in densely built/populated South Philly. There WERE, however, mobs (often white 'nativists', meaning folks of British descent) who attacked newcomers/outsiders including the Irish, Catholics, African-Americans, etc.

Solid-paneled shutters may have defended the home's occupants against these folk, but not Indians.