The Lion House a Historical Landmark

Salt Lake City -

Downtown Salt Lake city with all of it's historical charm and interest was the site of a recent project for Stanfield Shutter Company. Located near the corner of South Temple and State Street is the Lion House. The Lion House gets its name from the lion that sits on top of the front patio. Constructed in 1855-56 it was a residence for Brigham Young, who was the second president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and later the first territorial governor of the state of Utah.

Local Contractor Interior Design Solutions was awarded a contract to remodel the Restrooms of the Lion House. Stanfield Shutter was called into action to replace the traditional shutter that had been in use in the restroom for years. It was an exciting opportunity to go behind the scenes of one of Utah's most notable building and see the historical craftsmanship of the Pioneers of Utah.

Going from 1 1/4" traditional smaller sized panel style shutter to the 2 1/2" plantation shutters was a nice update to the traditional feel of the building. A trademark look of the Lion House is the original triangular shaped windows crafted from the pioneers of decades ago. It was a good idea to stop the shutters in a "Cafe Style" at the base of the triangular shape. Leaving the Steeple top open gives the benefit privacy for the lower section in tum leaving the top open gives you natural light.

It was an honor and privilege to construct shutters and help beautify such a historical building. We appreciate working with each one of our valued customers, and by completing a project such as this we can definitely say that quality and satisfaction are dear to our business and we delight in the ability to continue to provide quality products to everyone.

Beauty and Quality to Any Decor

When it comes to window coverings, most people are unsure what to use to meet their particular need. While there are many window coverings on the market today, every product has a distinctive look and purpose.

The selection of window coverings can be guided by both your imagination and your own good taste. You need not make costly mistakes when there is professional help available to advise and direct you.

Plan for how your windows will look from the outside by using compatible window coverings both upstairs and down on windows facing the street. Remember that your window covering set the mood for your home and make a statement about your decor.

Do you need window coverings that block out all light? Or treatments that let in light and still insulate windows to block heat and cold? How much color do you want on the windows? These are important questions to answer yourself.

Next, ask questions of the professional who is helping you. Together you two can figure out what works on each window and you can let the professional show you how to create consistency in your decor from room to room.

Take chatters, fro example. They are extremely versatile and add ambient value to your home. They offer so much and give you so many options for controlling light and the hot Utah sun. With just a slight tilt, you can see outside and still let in the light you need. Open the shutters wide and have an unobstructed view of the mountains or of your backyard oasis.

The plantation shutters of the 90's will take you into the next century in style. With new technology you can choose hardwoods like Walnut, Cherry, Oak, Alder and Basswood for elegant stained shutters that are milled, stained and finished to perfection. Woods like Knotty Pine and Knotty Alder also do well in exposed knot or rustic shutter applications.

In addition, new High Density Fiberboard, which meets the high standards of professional woodworkers and craftsmen, is now available. This is a fine paint grade wood that meets your quest for both quality and beauty. HDF is extremely durable and warp-free. Other alternatives for the custom shutter industry are Thermolite, Polylite and Ultralite synthetics and composites.

When looking for a custom shutter manufacturer, find an experienced craftsman who has an extensive woodworking background, the proper automated machinery to do fine work and one who can offer you a full range of options.

Ask for an in-home presentation by a professional shutter designer who can show you samples of different-sized louvers and who will correctly measure your window. Be sure they custom-manufature shutters and mounting boards just for your home, and that they are a reputable company who stand behind their work.

For a full-service consultation on long-lasting quality shutters in your home or office, you can call Stanfield Shutter Co., In., at (801) 467-8823 or e-mail at shutters@stanfieldshutter.com.

Add Drama and Beauty to Your Home with Exciting Plantation Shutters

Making a room truly memorable begins with elegant appointments and your personal attention to the smallest detail. Dramatic window coverings make a statement that defines your good taste, especially when you've chosen Plantation Shutters.

Although the fabulous Plantation Shutters of today has humble beginnings as exterior applications in Europe, they slowly worked their way inside homes in a non-movable louvered version. Luckily craftsman and artisans moving to America brought the shutter idea along.

Refinements and automation have evolved the woodworking industry toward the 21st century to accommodate custom homes requiring hardwoods that are milled, stained and finished to perfection. Plantation shutters used as window coverings became the crowning achievement.

Today's hardwoods such as Walnut, Cherry, Oak, Alder and Basswood make elegant stained shutter installations. Softer woods like Pine and Cedar also do well in exposed knot or rustic shutter applications.

However, with the closing of many forests in the 1980's, many sources of good wood to paint were lost. Necessity engineered the development of a High Density Fiberboard, which met the high standards of professional woodworkers and craftsmen.

Custom shutter manufacturers benefited from tis quest for quality, beauty and enduring products because it is a fine paint grade wood. The finished product becomes a work of art with no worries of warping, pitch bleed out or other problems.

Top builders and finish carpenters use this beautiful wood product for custom moldings, crowns, baseboards, custom mantels, bookcases and shelving.

When looking for a custom shutter manufacturer, find an experienced craftsman who has an extensive woodworking background and has the automated machinery necessary to do fine work.

Have an in-home presentation by a professional designer who can show you samples of different-sized louvers, and who will measure your window for shutters to be scaled to the correct size. Be sure they custom manufacture shutters and mounting boards just for your home and that they are a company who stands behind their work.

For a full service consultation in your home or office for long-lasting quality shutters, you can call Stanfield Shutter Co., Inc., (801) 467-8823 or e-mail at shutters@stanfieldshutter.com.

Timeless Elegance and Class

Over the last decade, interior moveable louvered shutters have taken over the window covering decor. This overwhelming shift is due to advances in the shutter industry that allow shutter manufacturers to offer the elegance and durability of shutters at an affordable price.

Consumers have a number of decisions to make when purchasing shutter. The first choice is usually whether to paint or stain the shutters. Painting provides a uniform color throughout the shutter whether that is white, off-white, cream, beige, etc. Staining allows the natural grain of the wood to show through the finish. Interior designers suggest matching your molding or woodwork. If you do not have molding or woodwork, interior designers suggest staying with the classic white since white matches anything.

Next, consumer met choose what shutter material they like. High Density Fiberboard (HDF) is a technologically refined and advanced product that is the favorite for painting because it is warp-free and prides a superb finishing surface. Natural hardwoods such as Basswood and Knotty Alder are the favorite choices for a stained look. Waterproof vinyl products are also available for use above kitchen sinks or in shower stalls.

Once the material as been selected, the louver size is chosen. Louvers are the blades that rotate to open and close the shutter. The most popular louver sizes are 3 1/2 and 4 1/2 inch. The 3 1/2 inch has a more traditional decorating feel while still offering a nice view. The 4 1/2 inch is more contemporary and is used by consumers who have a spectacular view, or who want to keep the room as open and light as possible. Consumers looking for a truly unique look can select from louver sizes ranging from the traditional 1 1/4 inches to the plantation's 6 1/2 inches.

Finally, consumers should take special care when selecting a company to build their shutters. Unfortunately there are a number of here-today-gone-tomorrow businesses that are in it for a quick buck, and not concern with quality products or future service to their customers. Consumers should look for a company that has its roots well established in the community and a history of providing not only high quality and professional products, but also high quality professional service.

Stanfield Shutter has provided all of these products and services to the residents of Utah for over 60 years. For more information, you can call them at (801) 467-8823, visit them on the web at www.stanfieldshutter.com, or e-mail them at shutters@stanfieldshutter.com.

Custom Hardwood Shutters

Custom wood shutters make a most elegant statement in your home. Unlike draperies and fabric blinds, they go with any decor and do not need to be changed as color schemes or furniture fabrics change. shutters are a wise investment that add ambient value to your home. 

There are many options for controlling light with shutters; with just a slight tilt, you can see outside and still let in all the light you want. Open them wide and you have an unobstructed view of the mountains or your own backyard oasis. With advancements in design techniques over the past 20 years, arched windows can now be covered with moveable louvers, which local craftsman developed based on how our ancestors built wagon wheels. By joining the louvers at the "hub" and adding a tilt rod, all the louvers are connected and can move as one. Opening and closing them as the sun moves is an easy task. 

To select your shutters, begin by deciding how much light you want let in and how much color you want on the windows. Afterwards talk it over with a shutter professional and see which type of shutter will work best on your windows. Ask for help in coordinating your look from room to room, and then create your own design with plantation shutters, through your choice of hardwoods like walnut, cherry, oak, alder and basswood for elegant shutters that are milled and stained to perfection. 

In addition, you can always choose high density fiberboard which meets the high standards of professional woodworkers and craftsman. It is a fine, paint-grade wood that meets your quest for both quality and beauty, while being extremely durable and warp-free.

Ask for an in-home presentation by a professional shutter designer who can make suggestions, take accurate measurements and provide samples of various sized louvers, including the popular slim-line design. Choose a company that has an extensive woodworking background and state-of-the-art, automated machinery that can handle fine work and expertly finish your custom shutters. 

For a full-service consultation for your office or home, you can call Stanfield Shutter Co., a company that buys directly from the mills to bring you higher quality hardwoods at lower prices. Stanfield Shutter, the oldest and most innovative shutter company in Utah, offers a lifetime manufacturer's warranty. You can call them at (801) 467-8823 or visit their website at www.stanfieldshutter.com, or e-mail them at shutters@stanfieldshutter.com.

Accordion Plantation Shutters, Fold em' as you like....

Bi-fold Shutters – To Open or Not to Open???

Bi-fold plantation shutters are interior wooden/vinyl shutters that are versatile in the way they can be easily hinged open; with the panels folding in towards themselves and then back up against the wall for an open window.

The panels are fixed to one side of the door or window and works on hinges or a track which help the panels slide forward or back. Bi-fold panels resemble the pleated part of an accordion musical instrument; hence their operation has been named an accordion operation.
Let’s talk about the pros and cons of investing in accordion plantation shutters.

To Open;

* Bi-fold accordion shutters are an easy way to open your window shutters for a full view of the outside.

* You don’t have to remove the shutter panels to clean your window.

* The panels fold neatly to one side or the other of the window or door and are compact.

* Your bi-fold shutters from Stanfield Shutter can be custom painted to match your existing interior or the exterior design.

* Bi-fold shutters, as with all shutters from Stanfield Shutter, are very easy to clean and are great for providing light control and privacy in your home.

* You may have a three paneled shutter in your window rather than four panels.  To achieve this Stanfield Shutter hinges one panel open to the left and the opposite two panel’s accordion to the right.  Bi-fold shutters are versatile to fit the needs and configuration of your window and for your convenience.

* Bi-fold shutters can be used to cover windows as well as sliding glass doors.  They are great to use in any space, just name it!

NOT to Open;

* Bi-fold shutters, although compact when hinged open to the side of the window or door opening, do take up a few inches of space from the room.

* Bi-fold shutters are great for accordion usage; however, when the shutter panels are closed within the window opening the folding joints of the bi-fold shutter will block some of your outside view.  For this reason some windows are better situated for single or double paneled shutters.

* The tracks of the bi-fold tracked shutters need to be frequently checked and kept clean. If dust or anything is stuck in the track channel it will be difficult or impossible to move the shutter across the opening until the obstruction is removed.

* Bi-fold shutters for sliding glass doors can be installed to cover any width of door, but the height of the door can present a challenge.

* Bi-fold shutters are not easy to reach or to hinge open in small or tight areas.

Your Grandparents Shutters, a traditional look at plantation shutters.....

Salt Lake City, Utah (Sugar House) - With its historical charm and heartfelt neighborhood appeal the classic bungalow homes in Sugar House are greatly desired by those that seek a reminder "of days gone by". Sugar House is the perfect setting for a project of shutters custom built and installed by Stanfield Shutter Company.  In a classic circa. 1940 bungalow home in the Sugar House area we designed and installed simple but elegant traditional shutters.  Thus showing that past design and today’s appeal of shutters is still a live and well.  In this very traditional shutter application the panels are narrow; the louvers just 1 1/4″ wide.   The "old style" shutters were built of basswood and custom stained to match the homeowners’ original "Gum wood" mill work.

The bungalow home had the original screened windows. These windows were hinged and used to swing open the windows for the use of air flow and to cool the home on hot summer days; obviously the home was built way before air conditioning was the 'norm'.  This provided a small challenge when installing the shutters.  We solved this challenge by building a small box frame and attaching it to the classic mission style trim casing around the jamb of the window. This allowed the clearance needed to accommodate the shutters to open and close freely; as well as, the windows to hinge open and close as the homeowner desired.  

In the 'old fashioned' design the windows were double hung.  Although many shutter professionals may tell you the obvious choice was not to double hang the shutters, this particular shutter and style of home begged for the classic appeal of a double hung unit.  Top and bottom shutters give you the option to fully swing open the top shutters for natural light while leaving the lower shutters closed for privacy.   

The shutters turned out to look like they were part of the homes design, not an after thought.

This project gave Stanfield Shutter a "blast from the past" feeling while producing the shutters.  

It was a trip down memory lane; as this was what Stanfield Shutter Company was originally know for in the companies humble beginnings in the 1950's.  We invite you to have Stanfield Shutter Company show you the many designs and appeal that shutters can add to your home. Give us a call today for a free in-home estimate 801-467-8823.

Paul Stanfield - Original Stanfield Shutters (Circa 1970)