The secret of the shutters
 

What is the secret of the shutters in Europe. Here is California our shutters are fakes nailed to the walls. In Rome, we left our shutters open on our hotel windows when we left for the day (3rd floor) and got scolded by the manager. He said to keep them closed day and night. Are we supposed to keep the windows open and shut the shutters even in summer?

Gosh.<BR>Thought I had a reply than reread your statement.<BR>Hmmm...I think your manager was either insane, or maybe was running some AC? Who knows.<BR><BR>My first thought was..Shutters! They keep the traffic and lights outs...<BR><BR>Personally, I love real shutters...They're supposedly great for hurricanes...<BR><BR>As to "Are we supposed to keep the windows open and shut the shutters even in summer?"... I say, do what you want! You're paying for it.<BR><BR><BR>

The "norm" in summer is to leave the windows open for air and the shutters closed for shade. Shutters are also often used for security when it would be too hot to have windows closed at night.<BR><BR>But, hey, you're the customer!

Just ask the receptionist when you check in

Closed shutters keep the heat out, but still let the air flow. If the room is on the sunny side of the house, and shutters are left open, it will be hot as an own at the end of the day.

Aside from security and keeping out the heat, they are also used to keep out bugs. Don't work as well as window screens, but when was the last time you saw a window screen in Europe? And the reason ours in California are fake is because we all have screens on the windows, making it impossible to close a shutter from the inside.

Hi<BR><BR>Shutters (Les volets in France).<BR><BR>They are part of the heat / cool / insulation system.<BR><BR>In summer - closed in daytime open at night<BR><BR>In winter open in daytime, closed at night<BR><BR>Never leave them unfastened<BR><BR>Peter<BR>

In Italy I'd keep them closed for security sake.

In Rome hotel there was no air conditioning and it was on the third floor. After I wrote this I remembered the same thing happened in Florence, the maid came in in a huff and slammed slut the shutters, giving us the "eye".<BR>It was mid morning.<BR>All of your ideas are feasible though.<BR>

Peter's got the shutter etiquette right.<BR><BR>It's been my observation that Italians are the most obsessed when it comes to shutters. They seem to revel in the dark interiors of their dwellings and are outright appalled when someone lets bright, harsh light into their interiors. Never mind that they are all tanned to leather from the harsh exterior light. <BR><BR>Owning a stone house in Europe, I do know that you keep the shutters closed when it's hot outside to keep the interior cool, and open them in winter to let the light and sunshine in.<BR><BR>I don't think hotel customers should necessarily be expected to know shutter etiquette, though.

StCirq, thanks too. I guess something else for Americans to think about: shutter etiquette. As if obsessing about shoes, jeans, black clothes, etc. weren't enough! LOL! It does make sense to follow what you and Peter say, it was surprising to be reprimanded so harshly. Next trip I will be in the know.

Can you say,<BR>"THE MAID SLAMMED SLUT THE SHUTTERS"<BR>10 times real fast? Boy, me neither!<BR><BR>Just trying makes me hot as an own!

shutters ajar now<BR>hurry in my little flies<BR>dont hit the mirror

I looked here because I thought it was a mystery novel thread. Read The Secret of the Shutters by Veronica _____ !<BR>Find out what went on behind them.....

I love the idea of shutters!!<BR><BR>One of my most wonderful memories takes place in New Orleans. My husband & I were on our honeymoon & staying in a little hotel on Bourbon St. The building we were staying in dated from the early 1800's & had shutters that could be closed over the doors & windows, we closed ours every night. <BR><BR>We were lying in bed trying to decide what to do that morning when it began to rain. We started listening & we decided that with the rain making such wonderful music on the roof & in the courtyard, & with the morning light filtering through the shutters just right, staying in bed was the perfect thing to do that morning.<BR><BR>The sounds & smell of the rain are something that I can still bring to mind to this day, 12 years later!

Err...May I ask what's the point in having fake shutters one cannot close???????

For the same reason you might use fake snow in decorating during Christmas when you live in Florida, for looks.

For the same reason you might use fake snow in decorating during Christmas when you live in Florida, for looks.

I grew up with shuttered houses in the US Northeast -- we were very glad to have them when hurricanes came pounding through. I'd never seen non-functional "fake" shutters until I came south. It always bothers me to see a colonial-style house (or certain kinds of stucco/Mediterranean style) without shutters -- looks like eyes without eyelashes to me -- and it also bothers me to have shutters on my house that are just hung on nails, not hinged and close-able. We get hurricanes down here, but that doesn't seem to impress the builders.

I too am from the south & have often wondered why we don't have the same type of windows & shutter system that I found all over Germany. I don't know what they are called but the system is wonderful!<BR><BR>Your window is basically a "door" that has 3 positions. Closed, open (swung like a door) or tilted back to allow air flow. They also have doors that use this same system, including the shutters.<BR><BR>They also have the neatest "shutters". They are built into the wall & disappear until they are needed. They have a strap that is on the inside that you pull to lower the shutters, sort of like a window shades. Once they are lowered you can adjust them for air flow & to allow some light in or for total room darkness, like louver blinds!<BR><BR>The shutters are not the prettiest thing but very functional. I was told that they were strong enough to be a strong deterent for burglars.<BR><BR>I have seen these windows demonstrated at home shows but not in an actual home. Hopefully they will catch on soon.

I too am from the south & have often wondered why we don't have the same type of windows & shutter system that I found all over Germany. I don't know what they are called but the system is wonderful!<BR><BR>Your window is basically a "door" that has 3 positions. Closed, open (swung like a door) or tilted back to allow air flow. They also have doors that use this same system, including the shutters.<BR><BR>They also have the neatest "shutters". They are built into the wall & disappear until they are needed. They have a strap that is on the inside that you pull to lower the shutters, sort of like a window shades. Once they are lowered you can adjust them for air flow & to allow some light in or for total room darkness, like louver blinds!<BR><BR>The shutters are not the prettiest thing but very functional. I was told that they were strong enough to be a strong deterent for burglars.<BR><BR>I have seen these windows demonstrated at home shows but not in an actual home. Hopefully they will catch on soon.

I know it is very strange to have houses with fake shutters just for looks, but in So. California that is what we have. <BR>After one trip to Europe I went to a giant hardware store to get hinges to hang shutters that closed, and not even the head manager could envision what I was talking about.<BR>We are shuttered deprived around here.<BR>So it is nice that you all have informed me of shutter etiquette.

Now I am confused, do we leave the shutters open at night, can't people crawl in? We have fake shutters where I live too.

Everyone, beware the shutterslut in Florence or she'll give you her eye. Lovely.

Tracy, which one of the above it the shutter slut?

Funny, but I was scolded by the manager of my hotel in Sorrento for leaving the rolling shutters open in the day. We had opened them in the afternoon then gone out for the rest of the day, and there was a note saying to keep the shutters closed. Our room was hanging over a cliff, so nothing could in, so we were puzzled too. I hadn't thought of this until I read this thread.<BR>Any ideas?

I'm one of those with fake shutters in Co Cal. I actually added them as it dresses up the house rather then just plain painted stucco. Many of the types of windows and screens would not allow being able to close the shutters unless you went outside.<BR>BTW I did say it ten times without a problem. <BR>Try &quot;One smart feller he felt smart ten times&quot; though.<BR>

I love to take pictures of windows in Europe. My favorite pictures of windows are with shutters. They are so &quot;romantic&quot; in a photo. I don't know what it is about an old building with a shuttered window but it is almost like looking into the eyes of an old person with a very long and interesting history. By the way, we left the shutters open during the day in our Rome hotel with no problem.<BR><BR>

My friends in provence close the shutters day time to keep the sun out in order to keep the house cool and also to protect them from the Mistral when it rages.

The apartment we rented in Paris had metal rolling window covers (I don't know that I would call them shutters but they served the same purpose). We rolled them down to keep out the sun when we left in the a.m., and rolled them up for light and air in the evening. I thought they were wonderful and would love to have some at home to keep down the costs of the AC.

The built-in blinds with the strap inside are called Rolladens and are absolutely wonderful. Beats the heck out of any kind of light-blocking blind in the States. Excellent for security too.<BR><BR>Also, the windows that Tutter described are the greatest; to the extent that we are considering taking enough home to replace those in our house back in Seattle.