Why do Americans put (what appear to be) completely non-functional shutters on their house windows? /u/vegemitemilkshake No such thing as stupid questions

I’m in Australia and always see pictures here on Reddit of American houses with what looks like non-functional shutters on their windows. Is it left over from when they were necessary and now people just like the aesthetic?

I’m in Australia and always see pictures here on Reddit of American houses with what looks like non-functional shutters on their windows. Is it left over from when they were necessary and now people just like the aesthetic?