Shutters Birmingham, AL

Van Gogh Premium Shutters

Great design isn’t just pretty—it also works. At Van Gogh, we believe in great design. That’s why each shutter we create is a love letter to beauty and function. 

Our premium line of interior and exterior shutters will help you transform your house. By combining timeless tradition and style that never goes out of fashion, we merge past and present to give you a window treatment you can enjoy in the years to come.

Each of our shutters is carefully measured and custom-made with great diligence. As a locally owned business in Birmingham, we care a whole lot about every single board, batten, hinge, and louver because odds are, you’ll be looking at them for decades (and we will, too).

Why choose shutters for your home?

There’s a whole world out there and sometimes you feel like you want to crack open your windows and let it in. But sometimes you prefer to keep it out. That’s when custom window treatments come in handy. But are shutters the right choice for you? What do shutters offer that custom blinds, custom shades, and other window coverings don’t? We’ll help you find out:

• Light control – One of the most common reasons for using shutters is the ability to filter the amount of natural light that seeps into a room. Shutters can block out harsh sunshine or early morning light. They can also darken the bedroom when you or your child want to take a nap. They’re also perfect for a home theater situation if you want to watch a movie on the weekend.
• Temperature control – Alabama has some of the hottest summers in the US. Installing custom shutters allows you to keep much of the heat out. You’d be surprised at the difference it makes in your electricity bill. Shutters also keep the heat indoors during the winter.
• Privacy – If you want to have some alone time or make sure no one is snooping around, shutter louvers can be closed tightly to provide total privacy from outside.
• Sound insulation – High-quality shutters will reduce outside noises. If you live on a busy street or near a high-traffic area, then this is a great way to reduce the amount of noise you have to put up with.
• Longevity – Well-maintained shutters should last a lifetime. Curtains and drapes may change over the years, but shutters never change. If you install your shutters when your kid is born, odds are they’ll be looking at the same shutters when they come home from college for Thanksgiving. It’s a worthwhile investment if you have longevity in mind.
• Added value to your home – Shutters are considered an upgrade to your home instead of an aftermarket product. As such, they directly add value to your home. If you want to sell at some point, shutters will make it easier to sell and get a better price.
• Curb appeal – because of their timeless and familiar look, shutters add a certain classy feel to your home.

As you can see, shutters offer plenty of amazing benefits that make life a little bit easier. If you’re still not sure this is the right solution for you, let’s talk.

At Van Gogh Window Fashions, we’re all about clear communication and making our clients happy. No matter where you’re from – Birmingham, Hoover, Ashburn, Montgomery, or any other place, we’d love to help you make your house feel more like home.

Types of shutters

Depending on the aesthetic and functionality you’re looking for, there are several types of shutters you can choose from for your home.

Plantation shutters

Plantation shutters are our most popular product—and for good reason. They have wider louvers when compared to other types of louvered shutters, making them perfect for bigger windows. This also means fewer louvers in the way of your view when you leave them open. Furthermore, it’s easier to fine-tune the amount of light coming into the room.

The plantation shutter type is classy and timeless. It pairs form and function like no other type of shutter. We can install them both into the interior and exterior of your home for that Southern-style delight. Don’t hesitate to give us a call if you want to know more about our custom-made plantation shutters.

Raised panel shutters

Raised panel shutters are simpler and more basic in design. They don’t offer as much variety in terms of fine-tuning and control. Imagine putting doors outside your windows. They have one job, and they do it well.

Unlike other types of shutters, raised panels don’t have louvers. They’re very traditional and add a bold look to your exterior. When they’re open, they look very welcoming. But when you close them, they let people know you don’t wish to be disturbed.

Traditional shutters

Traditional shutters are more popular in the North. Unlike plantation shutters, they’re crafted using smaller louvers, making them perfect for smaller windows.

Traditional shutters are considered more historic. They’re perfect if you’re aiming for an authentic, historical look.

What is the best wood for shutters?

Van Gogh Window Fashions offers an all-hardwood shutter in a four-sided wood frame. We use cottonwood milled in Texas to ensure we make our shutters with only the finest materials. That’s why we offer the most meticulously crafted American-made hardwood shutters money can buy.

Color Choices

Our hardwood shutters are available in any color. We can custom paint them to match your trim and even match stains for a beautiful, warm look.

Maintenance of Wooden Shutters

It is important to remember that you will need to maintain your shutters. Ensure that you keep them in a reasonable condition like any other wooden addition to your home, and they will last you a lifetime.

Shutters can be vacuumed with a brush attachment to get rid of any dust. They can also be wiped down periodically with a damp cloth. Avoid getting them soaking wet, but any dirt or dust should be easy to remove. Certain chemicals can damage the wood and cause staining or discoloration on the finished look.

Customizing Your Shutters in Birmingham, Al

Louver Size

There are many options for making your shutters fit your design style and the way you use your windows. Van Gogh Window Fashions offers 2 ½”, 3 ½”, 4 ½” and even 5 ½” louvers.
The 2 ½” louver is more traditional and because there is less space in between each louver, there is more wood in your window, giving it a less open look.

3 ½” louvers are our most popular size, and this offers a more open look.

4 ½” and 5 ½” louvers are best for large windows and provide a very open view.

Tilt Type

A standard tilt rod that runs vertically down the front of your shutters is a traditional shutter style. The tilt rod is not actually meant to be used to open and close your shutters. Its function is to make sure the louvers all move together.

Choosing a hidden tilt rod means that the rod that keeps all the louvers moving together is “hidden” on the side and back of the panel. This is a more modern, open look since there is nothing vertical on the front of the panel.

Full Panel vs. Divider Rail vs. Split Tilt

A full panel shutter is one where all the louvers from the top to bottom of the shutter panel move together and open and close at the same time.

A divider rail is a stable louver in the middle of the shutter that is fixed and doesn’t move. It allows you to open the top section of the louvers separate from the bottom section.

This allows you to keep the bottom section closed for privacy reasons while opening the top section to let in natural light. It also provides stability and may be required for very tall windows and for composite shutters.

A similar option is called split tilt. It has the same function as a divider rail in that you can operate the top section separate from the bottom, but it does this without the fixed louver in the middle. The louvers all move, but the top and bottom sections are split so they can tilt at different angles.

Van Gogh Real Wood Shutters

Real, custom-made shutters are a great addition to your home. They add a classic, timeless feel, enhance energy efficiency, protect your privacy, and to top it off, they can save you money in the long run. At Van Gogh Window Fashions, a team of skilled technicians can help you make your custom shutter dreams become a reality.

Real Wood…Real Joinery

Four critical joinery details are important in the design of a quality shutter panel.  In each of these, VanGogh Window Fashions combines time-honored methods of construction with computer-controlled precision (+/- .005”) resulting in panels built to last for the life or your home.

Mortise and tenon joint:

Continuous Tilt Rod Linkage