Installing exterior shutters to a window is a quick and easy way to add style and flair to the outside of a home.  Both historical and modern houses will benefit from the timeless accent of having exterior shutters.  As with all types of home improvements, the quality and longevity of the exterior shutters should be evaluated before you make a purchase.

The exterior window shutters for your home are available in many different shapes and materials. Vinyl or wood shutters are easily available at most home improvement stores, and they can also be a cost effective option.  You can also make wooden shutters operable with functional hardware.

Exterior shutters can also be made out of several types of wood.  The best wod to use is cedar, as it offers outstanding durablity and resistance to decay.  Cedar also provides long service with minimal maintenance in applications involving mud, silk, window sahes, fencing, poles, and even exterior shutters.

The tannin oil in ceder is what really makes it an ideal wood for exterior shutters.  It will prevent moisture penetration – and bugs hate it.  Keep in mind, exterior shutters shouldn’t be left unprotected. It is however, best to finish the shutters before you install them, so that all surfaces can be fully covered.

The ideal base for exterior shutters is a primer coat of oil base primer that is tinted as close to the final color as possible.  The oil will penetrate into the wood, giving better protection.  For the best results in painting, you should always consult a professional painting company.

You can mount exterior shutters to your home with a 1/2″ spacer between the back of the panels and the building to allow ventilation.  If you aren’t using functional hardware, you should use rust proof screws that sink flush to the wood.  Once you have finished the installation, simply paint over the heads of the screws.

By having on opaque finish painted on the wood, it will prevent light rays from penetrating the finish and breaking down wooden fibers of your exterior shutters.  If you choose, you can also stain exterior shutters.

Anytime you are staining shutters, you should use finishing products that are designed specifically for exterior use, and be prepared to do proper maintence on your shutters to keep them looking good all the time.

Exterior shutters will add color and style to the outside of your home, making them a purchase you can’t go wrong with.  Wooden exterior shutters are the most popular and best to use – making them something you truly must have for your home.

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Currently, shutters are made in a number of different materials, with wooden shutters still being the benchmark for quality window coverings.  Quality wood shutters are designed to last for the lifetime of your home.  Deciding on the material for your shutters is the first step in making things work.

Selecting your shutter style
There are two basic styles of shutters available. The traditional style uses a narrow shutter panel with 1-1/4″ louvers.  Traditional shutter louvers are normally wedge shaped, being thicker in the front and narrower in the rear.  Plantation type shutters are generally 1-18″ thick with larger louvers. 

Selecting the shutter finish
Shutters can be stained, painted, or both.  Almost all companies offer a number of paints with stain colors, while some don’t.  Paint colors will generally include a variety of whites and lights. The stains will help enhance wood grains in a number of tints and tones, starting from light natural tones to an almost black pitch.  Keep in mind, both synthetic and wood composite shutters can’t be stained.

Determine the price
Because of their material options, shutters will come in a wide range of prices, with many suppliers calculating the price on the square foot.  Prices are calculated based on the exact window size, shutter, style, finish, and number of panels involved.

Deciding on the unit
Shutter units can use a number of different panel configurations within a window.  The number of panels across the shutter is determined by the shutter style, traditional or plantation, and the width of the window.  The traditional style panels are normally narrower than the plantation style and would use more panels across the window.

Each specific company offers guidelines for the number of panels to be used with a window.  If the window is tall enough, you may want to consider a double tier, or two tier shutter unit that uses one set of shutters at the top and one set at the bottom.

Each set of shutters will then open independently on the other.  You can also use a divider rail, which is is a horizontal bar that creates a top and bottom louver section within a single style of panel.

Measure and order
Carefully follow the measuring instructions, then determine the window type and installation provided by the company you have selected.  The directions should be detailed, yet very easy for you to follow.

The company should also offer phone assistance should you have any questions.

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Even though there is a lot of value in installing high quality interior wood window shutters, they can sometimes still be too expensive for certain applications.  There are some alternatives that include poly, pvc, or even vinyl shutters that are less expensive although much less attractive and look cheaper in comparison.

For quality at an affordable cost, you should look for a company that sells individual wholesale discount wood shutter panels that can be installed in any type of configuration. These types of shutters are also referred to as DIY, or Do It Yourself shutters.

When you shop for individual shutter panels at a discount price, there are a few things you should keep in mind.  The most important factor is the material that is used to make the interior shutter panels.

Basswood is the best wood for shutters, as it has the best characteristics and it’s a straight hard wood with very little distortion. Basswood also offers a fine, uniform texture with an indistinct grain, which makes it ideal for staining or painting.

Before you actually order the discount panels, it’s always best to determine how you will mount your shutters. Sometimes, it is necessary to use hanging strips to attach shutters to the outside of the window opening. Reputable companies will provide information about installation methods so you can decide which way is best to install your specific type of window shutter.

Anytime you buy budget shutters, you should always do your research first.  There are some brands that are better than others, which is why you should research the types of shutters you are interested in.  With a little bit of your time and effort, you could quite possibly end up with shutters at a perfect price which will add more color and style to your home than you ever thought possible.

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