I have a 1925 red brick California bungalow in Illinois. The exterior is relatively unadorned; I have just replaced the roof and shake siding on the dormer. I have been contemplating building and installing shutters for the front elevation at least, but I have never really seen shutters on this style bungalow anywhere. Is is a faux-pas to install them? Are they style-appropriate? I would like to keep the exterior as "correct" as possible, but would also like to refresh my house's "face". Any thoughts/direction?

It's hard to be definitive without a photo but my short answer is, don't do it. It is a very rare bungalow that might have had shutters originally, usually only in very storybook cottage styles, or some Spanish style, and then only in the minor windows. I cannot visualize a red brick California style bungalow in Illinois but I am surmising it has the front porch, stacked gables facade that define California style and never have I seen (at least, done well) a bungalow of that style with shutters. There are so many inappropriate shutter applications on almost all other house styles in the U.S., I implore you not to become one of the offenders with your sweet bungalow.

I would try to bring out the facade design with paint, landscaping, furniture, lighting, mailbox etc... rather than slapping on shutters. And if you feel so compelled regardless, please please please don't put on shutters that could not enclose the opening they surround- that is so wrong!

Good Luck.

I agree with Casita but if really feel you must, please read this on shutters: http://www.oldhouseguy.com/shutters.php. So many people do them wrong and it makes them look even worse/fake

Diane

Thanks, all! Exactly what I needed to hear!

The old house guy's website is right on about shutters. Shutter technology has not changed in 150 years or more so the information he presents is true to this day. I would like to point out, however, that his section on window technology is a bit dated. He cites the 1997 code which is ancient history now. While I absolutely support his contentions regarding vinyl window glazing and frame degradation I feel it's necessary to point out some errors he's got going. A storm window + a cool old single pane wood window may have been more efficient concerning heat transfer in 1997 but today double pane windows are in the U=.30 or lower category not .60. He's absolutely right that old wood windows are relatively easy to disassemble and replace stiles and rails and even put in new glass. Putting in laminated glass instead of tempered gives greater sound deadening. Head loss is mostly through the borders around doors and windows where the framing meets the wall finish under the trim . Pulling the trim and filling the gap with air sealing non-expanding foam (not air passing fiberglass) will significantly reduce that loss. There is a new concept being made out here in Portland, Oregon called Indow. It is an acrylic plane within a flexible frame made of the kind of gasket in your refrigerator door. It friction fits into your double hung or picture window on the inside and gives you nearly the same R (or U-) value as double pane. Because it goes on the inside it maintains your historic look. Check 'em out at: http://www.indowwindows.com/