Window Shutters are a popular type of window covering thatoffer a traditional look and practicality. They are now popular throughout theworld, but were originally established in the Mediterranean, before spreadingacross Europe. Their introduction in the United States came via the plantationsin the American south.
Shutters are first thought to have been used in Greece,although there are conflicting opinions as to where exactly in theMediterranean region they originated from. Wherever there first usage was, itdidnt take long for them to spread across the region. They were first madefrom stone or marble and were put across the window holes before theintroduction of glass windows. Wood later became more prominent.
The introduction of shutters in the United States came inthe 1500s. Spanish explorers were the first to reach what is now the UnitedStates, as well as much of South America (where Spanish is still the firstlanguage) and the Caribbean. In fact, at one point around 70% of the whole of Americabelow the Canadian border was Spanish. The first Spanish settlers in the UnitedStates were in 1565, when settlers made St. Augustine in Florida their home.
The Spanish influx soon spread and Spanish colonies in thesouth of the country began to appear. They grew their own food, and grewproducts such as cotton, sugar, rice and tobacco to sell. These becameplantations, with the majority of roller blind fabric Manufacturers the work being carried out by poorly treatedslaves. Each plantation became their own community separated from others. Therewere two opposing sides to the plantations; the wealthy land owners who madeall of the profits and the slaves who did the hard labour. The goods grown weremostly traded with England.
Many of the land owners lived in large wooden houses. Thoseoriginally from Spain began to install window shutters on their homes thatcould protect them from the searing heat and keep insects out. Because of theiruse on the plantation houses, these shutters became known as plantationshutters. This name has continued to be used as a general term for woodenshutters throughout the English speaking world.
Some believe that louvred shutters were first used in thesouthern United States. Louvres, or slats as they are also known, can beadjusted to suit the weather conditions, and today louvred shutters are themost popular type of shutters. They can be opened to let in the optimum amountof sunlight and air. This makes them useful at all times of the year.
English and French settlers also bought shutters to parts ofthe United States, in particularly to the East Coast areas. These includedareas such as what are now New York and New England.
Plantation shutters are popular around the world today. Theyare still most popular in the Mediterranean countries where they originated,such as Greece, Spain and Italy, but their use is much wider. They aregenerally considered to give a traditional look and are common in colonialstyle buildings in the United States.
Andrew Marshall ©
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