Shutters

Seriously? In Florida they're more functional than decorative, but houses in Europe built 100s of years ago appear more decorative. In New England where houses are old they look like European shutters

[quote] I've seen some where they're not as wide as they window they are next to

That inane fad has become de rigeur amongst the brainless fools in my region.

It's almost as stupid as these nitwits who have to "dress up" windows by placing a planter box full of petunias under each window. Any wise man knows the petunia will die and moisture will destroy the bottom lintel.

I've had interior shutters in the past and they were functional.

^ I think we're talking about the exterior kind

R3 Were you trying to repel hurricanes or perverts?

Cyclones or Peeping Toms?

It seems like the ranch home is the style most likely to have faux shutters on them, and I think it's because the windows look unbalanced unless there's something around it. A wide frame in a contrasting color looks better to me than faux shutters, like in this photo.

R5, no I used them instead of curtains. They looked nice and they provided good insulation.

Though in a hurricane they'd keep glass out, but they wouldn't really keep all water out. You need proper exterior storm shutters for that.