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.