Interior Shutters in Gettysburg, PA
A Window Treatment That Becomes Part of Your Home
Interior shutters are not just window coverings. They are a permanent upgrade to your home. Unlike blinds or shades, which hang from brackets and can be swapped in an afternoon, shutters are built into your window frames and become part of the architecture itself. That is what makes them one of the smartest investments a homeowner can make.
At Schmitt’s Interiors in Gettysburg, PA, we design and install custom interior shutters that are measured, finished, and fitted specifically for your windows. No gaps, no wobble, no generic sizing. Just clean lines, solid construction, and a look that holds up for decades. Visit us in Gettysburg or call 717-334-4118 to schedule a free design consultation. We will bring samples to your home, measure your windows, and walk you through every option.
What Makes Shutters Different from Blinds and Shades
Homeowners in Gettysburg often ask us whether shutters, blinds, or shades are the right call. The answer depends on what you are looking for, but shutters stand apart in a few important ways.
Shutters are a fixed feature. They mount directly to your window frame and stay there, becoming part of the room’s architecture the same way trim, molding, or built-in shelving does. That permanence is what gives shutters their distinctive look and why they consistently add resale value to a home. Blinds and shades do a fine job controlling light and privacy, but they are removable accessories. Shutters are a structural design element.
From a durability standpoint, there is no comparison. A well-made shutter will last 20 to 30 years or more without sagging, fraying, or losing its shape. The louvers tilt smoothly year after year, and the materials resist warping, fading, and moisture far better than fabric or vinyl alternatives. For homeowners who want to invest once and not think about replacement for a very long time, shutters deliver on that promise.
Choosing the Right Material for Your Home
The material you choose for your shutters affects how they look, how long they last, and which rooms they work best in. Here is what we carry and who each option is best suited for.
Hardwood Shutters
If you want the richest, most refined look, hardwood is the way to go. Our hardwood shutters are crafted from premium North American basswood and finished with your choice of paint or stain. The grain is visible, the weight feels substantial in your hands, and the overall impression is unmistakably high-end. Hardwood shutters are an ideal match for Gettysburg’s historic homes, where the character of real wood complements original trim, wide plank floors, and period details. They perform best in rooms with stable humidity, such as living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, and home offices.
Composite Shutters
Composite shutters pair an engineered MDF core with a durable outer coating that resists moisture, chipping, and discoloration. The result is a shutter that looks remarkably similar to painted wood but holds up in environments where real wood can struggle. Kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and any space with fluctuating humidity are ideal candidates. Composite also tends to be lighter than solid hardwood, which means less stress on hinges and hardware over the years. For homeowners who want the clean aesthetic of a painted shutter without worrying about moisture damage, composite is the practical choice.
Poly Shutters
Poly shutters are built from a solid synthetic material that is virtually indestructible. They will not warp, crack, chip, or fade, and they can handle direct contact with water without any damage at all. That makes them the go-to option for bathrooms, pool houses, or any window that sees heavy sun exposure. Poly shutters also offer the best energy efficiency of any shutter material, thanks to their solid, insulating construction. While the finish options are more limited than hardwood, the tradeoff is a shutter that requires almost zero maintenance and comes backed by the strongest warranties in the industry.
Popular Shutter Styles for Every Room
Plantation Shutters
The most popular interior shutter style in the country, and for good reason. Plantation shutters feature wide louvers (typically 2.5 to 3.5 inches) that allow generous light control and a clean, open feel when tilted. They work with virtually any home style and are the default recommendation for living rooms, bedrooms, and dining areas. Our plantation shutters are available in hardwood, composite, and poly, with full customization of louver width, frame style, and finish.
Cafe Style Shutters
Cafe shutters cover only the lower half of the window, leaving the top open to let in natural light. This style is a smart fit for street-facing rooms where you want privacy at eye level but do not want to block the light coming in above. Kitchens and breakfast nooks are classic applications.
Full-Height and Tier-on-Tier Shutters
Full-height shutters cover the entire window from top to bottom for a bold, finished look. Tier-on-tier takes this a step further by splitting the shutter into two independently operated sections, so you can open the top for light while keeping the bottom closed for privacy. Both styles are excellent choices for tall or oversized windows that need a commanding presence.
Bi-Fold and Sliding Track Shutters
For patio doors, French doors, and wide openings, bi-fold shutters fold neatly to the side while sliding track systems glide horizontally. These configurations give you full access to the opening when the shutters are pulled back and full coverage when they are closed. They are a popular upgrade from vertical blinds on sliding glass doors.
The Long-Term Value of Interior Shutters
They Add Measurable Home Value
Interior shutters are one of the few window treatments that can increase your home’s appraised value. Because they are permanent fixtures, appraisers treat them as a home improvement rather than a decorative accessory. Real estate agents in the Gettysburg area regularly point to shutters as a feature that helps homes sell faster and at higher prices. If you are thinking about resale at any point in the future, shutters are an investment that pays for itself.
They Cut Energy Costs Year-Round
A properly fitted shutter creates a layer of insulation between your window glass and the room. In winter, that barrier slows heat loss through the window. In summer, it blocks solar heat gain. Poly shutters, with their solid construction, offer the strongest insulating performance, but hardwood and composite options also make a measurable difference. Homeowners throughout Adams County often tell us they notice lower heating and cooling bills within the first season after installation.
They Outlast Every Other Window Treatment
A quality set of shutters will last 25 years or longer with nothing more than occasional dusting. Compare that to blinds, which can bend or break within a few years, or fabric shades that fade and fray over time. The upfront cost of shutters is higher, but when you calculate the cost per year of use, they often come out ahead of treatments that need to be replaced every five to ten years.
They Give You Precise Light and Privacy Control
Shutter louvers tilt to let in as much or as little light as you want, and when fully closed, they provide a solid barrier that blocks both light and outside views. Unlike curtains that bunch and shift, or blinds with gaps between slats, shutters offer consistent, even coverage across the entire window. That precision is especially valuable in bedrooms, bathrooms, and ground-floor rooms facing a street or sidewalk.
What to Expect When You Work With Us
Every shutter project starts with a conversation. You can visit our Gettysburg showroom to browse materials and styles in person, or call 717.334.4118 and we will come to you. During your free consultation, our design team brings samples to your home so you can see how different materials, finishes, and louver sizes look against your walls, trim, and furniture in your actual lighting.
Once you have settled on a direction, we measure every window down to the fraction of an inch. Shutters demand exact measurements because they are built to fit inside or around your window frame with no room for error. We handle all of that, including noting any irregularities in older window frames that are common in Gettysburg’s historic homes.
Your shutters are then custom-fabricated to your specifications. Lead times vary depending on the material and style, but we keep you updated throughout the process. When they arrive, our installation crew mounts them, adjusts every louver for smooth operation, and makes sure the finished product meets your expectations before we wrap up. The entire process, from first conversation to installed shutters, typically takes four to six weeks.
Gettysburg and Adams County’s Trusted Shutter Specialists
Schmitt’s Interiors has been part of the Gettysburg community since the 1940s, and we have installed shutters in homes across Adams County and beyond. Whether you live in Littlestown, New Oxford, East Berlin, Biglerville, Fairfield, Abbottstown, McSherrystown, Hanover, Chambersburg, Carlisle, or York, our team will travel to your home for a consultation and handle the full installation.
Our physical showroom in Gettysburg is open for walk-ins and appointments alike. It is stocked with full-size shutter samples in every material and style we offer, so you never have to guess what your shutters will look and feel like based on a thumbnail photo or a small swatch. If you would rather see options in your own home first, that works too. We bring the showroom to you.
Common Questions About Interior Shutters
Yes. Because shutters are permanently installed into the window frame, they are classified as a home improvement rather than a removable accessory. Appraisers and real estate agents both recognize interior shutters as a value-adding feature. In many cases, homeowners recoup a significant portion of the investment when they sell.
Composite and poly shutters are the best options for high-humidity spaces. Both materials resist moisture, warping, and discoloration. Poly shutters can handle direct water contact without damage, making them the strongest choice for bathrooms. Hardwood shutters perform well in rooms with stable humidity but are not recommended for spaces with frequent steam or splashing.
Plantation shutters provide more precise and consistent light control than most blinds. The louvers tilt smoothly and stay in position without slipping, and when fully closed, they create a solid barrier with minimal light leakage. Blinds, particularly standard horizontal slats, tend to leave small gaps between each slat. For bedrooms and media rooms where light blocking matters, shutters have a clear advantage.
Yes. Custom shutters can be built for arched windows, circular windows, bay windows, French doors, and sliding glass doors. Our team measures each opening individually and works with fabricators who specialize in non-standard shapes. If you have an unusual window that you have never been able to find a treatment for, shutters are likely the solution.
With normal use and basic maintenance, interior shutters last 20 to 30 years or more. Poly shutters tend to have the longest lifespan since the material is essentially impervious to moisture, UV light, and physical wear. Hardwood and composite shutters also last decades when properly cared for. Occasional dusting and a wipe-down with a damp cloth are typically all that is needed.
Your Windows Are Worth the Investment
Interior shutters change the way a room looks and feels. They bring structure, permanence, and a level of craftsmanship that other window treatments simply cannot match. Whether you are drawn to the warmth of real hardwood, the durability of composite, or the maintenance-free confidence of poly, our team will help you find the right fit for your home and your budget.
Schmitt’s Interiors has been guiding Gettysburg homeowners through these decisions for more than 75 years. We are not going anywhere, and neither are your shutters.
Call 717-334-4118 or Stop by Our Gettysburg Showroom
Schedule your free design consultation and see why shutters are the window treatment homeowners never regret.
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