Adding functional shutters to your home can improve curb appeal and add a more luxurious feel to your home. They provide an opportunity to show off the natural beauty of the architecture and allow you to add your personal touch. Before putting exterior shutters on a house, here are four things to consider.
1. Historical Accuracy
Originally, shutters were designed to close over windows. That is to say, they had a functional purpose rather than simply being fashionable as they are today. As you decide which windows should be flanked with traditional shutters, ask yourself: do I want them to look like they function? The answer depends on which windows you will add shutters. For example, if you answered yes, you likely wouldn’t add shutters to a bay window unless you have room to mount them on the protruding area as well and are comfortable with them overlapping.
2. Fixed or Operable
Do you plan on keeping them fixed in the open position or do you hope to close the shutters? Most people keep their exterior shutters in an open position. If you will never close them, the measuring becomes less important to be exact. Measuring the height and width of the window within the nearest ½ inch will create the look you are going for. On the other hand, if you want them to be able to close, the size of the window becomes critical to the size of the shutters. Your choice also affects the hardware needed for the shutters. Real shutters with hardware need to have a latch to keep them closed and the throw of the hinge will come into play. Shutters that aren’t operable can be more flexible with shutter hardware options.
3. Maintenance
What type of maintenance would you like to perform? Wood shutters, such as cedar shutters, require ongoing maintenance to prevent them from rotting. Today, there are a number of different wood alternatives. For example, composite shutters are made by combining wood fiber phenolic resins, zinc borate and a water repellent to form material that is moisture, rot and bug resistant. They can be painted any color and look much better than other low cost shutters. If you are looking for the lowest maintenance with the most durability, consider powder coated aluminum shutters.
4. Style
Finally, what shutter style makes the most sense for your home. Shutters for a colonial house were traditionally raised panels. Whereas shutters for a farmhouse or cottage were traditionally board and batten. It’s not uncommon to find mix and match styles. One common combo is louvered shutters on the upper windows and paneled shutters on the lower windows. You’ll notice this combination if you look at historical homes in Charleston, SC. The lower shutters would act as protection of privacy while the upper shutters would allow for ventilation.
Whether you want to go with something traditional, or you’d rather do something more creative, one thing is for sure, you can say with confidence, “top quality exterior shutters on my house add to its curb appeal!” Whether you know exactly what you want or just know that you want something gorgeous, we can help you. Our team of design engineers is here to answer your questions. We will also help you find the perfect shutter solution to help you stand out from the crowd.
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