Exterior Shutters

Improving Your Home’s Curb Appeal By Exterior Shutters

Since ages, shutters are used for enhancing the looks of homes and commercial establishments. Here we are discussing the styles and different types that are available. We are also examining the necessity of shutters in homes. Simply make sure of the measuring for exterior shutters and go forward.

Exterior shutters have been adorning homes, as well as commercial establishments, of Americans for around 300 years, much before the time of George Washington.

From the elaborately decorative wooden shutters of the 1700s, to the present day shutters with new materials, new finishes, and new designs, this addition to the exterior of the homes is as American as the apple pie.

Traditionally, the shutters are made of wood, with louvers, or with raised panel designs, but the increased maintenance and replacement costs have become quite prohibitive – out of the reach of many budgets.

This has made the shutter industry come out with new and innovative materials to replace the wooden shutters.

Why The Exterior Shutters

These types of shutters have many uses. The solid shutters prevent and reduce heat loss in the winters and heat gain in the summers.

Such shutters are insulating shutters, and consist of wood panels with a vapor barrier, and may or may not have a decorative covering. They fit snugly against the window frame, providing an insulating air barrier between the shutter and the window.

The louvered shutters are similar to window blinds, and are used for shading in the summers. These could be movable or fixed, and allow ventilation and entry of natural daylight. Though they block some direct radiation, they do not provide much insulation against heat loss in winters.

Commercial establishments usually have roll-down metal exterior shutters. These are often used as protection against storms and for security, but are no help against air infiltration and heat.

Other than adding to your home’s architecture, they provide the following advantages:

• Protection against weather
• Added security
• Do not take up interior space
• When closed, no thermal shock to windows

Types of Shutters For Your Home’s Exterior

Window shutters on the exterior of your house give a facelift and increase its curb appeal.

The extensive range available adds style to, and enhances, the architectural design of your home.

The fixed window shutters are purely for decorative purposes. These are attached to the home’s exterior and add to its aesthetic appeal. The other type is the operable shutter that can be closed or opened, as required, and offers protection from the sun, enhances your home’s security, and is useful during storms.

• Wooden Shutters - These are the classic shutters that add a stylish dimension to your home, but are difficult to maintain. They are made of a variety of woods, such as red cedar, pine or other exotic types, but the solid shutters made from cedar are durable, and can withstand harsh outdoor environments . These can be louvered, raised panel, board and batten, mixed louver and raised panel, arched, 1/4 arch lazy arch, among many other configurations, depending on your choice. Despite the cost of maintenance, the versatility and the design capabilities of wood makes it the choice for exterior shutters

• Vinyl Shutters – These shutters are molded shutters, and are lightweight, inexpensive, durable, and require no maintenance. They provide a traditional look and last a lifetime. They are available in a variety of colors, and if you wish to paint them yourself, they are also available in the ready to paint primed condition. Some manufacturers will custom make vinyl shutters to your specifications, in numerous styles that include fixed louver, board and batten, classic and raised panel, combination panel, as well as arches.

• Fiberglass Shutters – Though expensive to buy, the fiberglass/composite shutters are inexpensive, considering the low maintenance cost. The composite material, the latest in space-age materials, will not rot, warp, and split. They come with a 20 year warranty and are used as storm shutters, and for security purposes. They are available in a variety of colors, and styles, such as arches, louvered, raised panel, board and batten and Bahama styles, among others.

• Aluminum Shutters These shutters have evolved in the recent years as a suitable replacement for wooden shutters that are hard, and expensive, to maintain.These low maintenance shutters are strong and meet the hurricane engineering standards. Normally available in colonial louvered and Bahama shutter styles, they can be custom made in arch, raised panel, and even board and batten styles, at extra cost.

Despite a variety of shutters to choose from, the traditional wooden still warm the cockles of everyone’s heart.

Exterior cedar shutters, which is the choice wood for shutters, has natural bug-repellent tannin. In addition, it is not prone to warping, and its natural oils have sealing properties that help prevent decay and rot.

The main advantage of wooden shutters is that they can be adapted to any style you require, and can be available as either fixed models, or as those that can be operated to shut or open.

You can have your exterior house shutters custom made, with any combinations, including having the louvers and panels placed horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.