One kind of interior shutter that is very popular for homeowners is vinyl house shutters.  There is no consensus over which kind of shutter is better.  There are good and bad points regarding both vinyl and wood interior shutters. 

Wooden shutters

Wooden house shutters look elegant and are quite traditional. They bring an appearance of richness to any home, whether they are installed inside or on the outside. Many consumers appreciate the appearance of real wood, and wooden shutters are sturdy and resilient as well. 

Wooden shutters can be quite handsome, when stained or painted.  They need to be either stained or painted and sealed prior to hanging.  Then, as time wears on, they need to have this done again and again.  Maintaining wooden shutters uses both cash and sweat.  They are also quite expensive to buy, especially if you purchase them pre stained. 

Wooden shutters are also vulnerable to mold and insects. Because they are made of natural materials, they will eventually disintigrate. 

Vinyl shutters

Vinyl shutters are maintenance free.  They do not need any painting, staining or sealing no matter how long you own them.  They are available in many different colors and styles and are an eye-catching, maintenance free choice for shutters for your home. 

Unfortunately, vinyl shutters can get marks in them if anything hits them, like hail or a baseball. Although wood can get dings as well, vinyl seems to take more of a bruising because it is a softer material.  Many people will not use vinyl because it is less expensive and looks like it.  There are still many homeowners who favor real wood.

Vinyl shutters are, in effect, plastic.  Some of them are made to mimic real wood, but are easily percieved the discerning eye. Even though vinyl shutters are less expensive than wood shutters and are maintenance free, wood shutters are nonetheless preferred by most individuals.

Your choice of house shutters will be influenced by your budget, which designs you like, and how much much time you will be able to spend maintaining the shutters.  If you would be happier with a shutter that is maintenance free and looks appealing on or in your home, you will prefer vinyl house shutters. 

If you do not mind attending to your shutters regularly and do not mind spending a bit more money, you might perfer wooden shutters.  Whichever kind you choose, shutters are a attractive addition to any home and come in many styles, shapes and colors.  Whether you choose vinyl or wood, you are likely to come across the house shutters that meet your needs and are perfectly suited for your home.

Exterior house shutters are primarily used for asthetic purposes and are always open, unlike long ago when shutters actually had a job.  Shutters used to keep out inclement weather in years past, before double paned glass.  Today, shutters are rarely closed, but do add a finished look to any home. 

As we slowly replace our wooden shutters, we can say hello to the following types of shutters:

Vinyl Shutters

Just like vinly exterior siding, vinyl house shutters require no regular repairs and last a lifetime. The only problem with vinyl shutters instead of wood is that they have a tendency to ding if anything is tossed at the shutters. The problem is, they are much weaker than wood when it comes to rocks, hail or other debris.  Many people are willing to overlook this because vinyl shutters are attractive, are affordable and maintenance free. 

Composite Shutters

These are more economical shutters which use composite woods as opposed to solid woods.  The benefit to composite shutters is that they are unaffected by termites and rot and will last a lifetime.  They are also pre-stained and do not require upkeep like solid wood, yet will look like real wood.  Composite Shutters are a smart option for anyone thinking about maintenance free shutters. 

Fiberglass shutters

Fiberglass is tough and durable.  Fiberglass is well suited to exterior house shutters and has been used in areas where the shutters are made to be closed, such as parts of the world that are regularly hit by hurricanes.  Fiberglass shutters are slightly more expensive, but they are strong, maintenance free and built to last.  They are an ideal choice for anyone who owns a home in an area affected by hurricanes for the reason that they can ride the storm out. 

Aluminum shutters

As with vinyl shutters, aluminum shutters are a complement to aluminum siding and are a stylish alternative for homeowners. While vinyl was very popular twenty years ago, knocking aluminum out of the running, aluminum shutters suddenly reappeared and are currently very popular among homeowners who want attractive and maintenance free shutters that will last a lifetime. 

Whether you are in the market for shutters for the exterior or interior of your home, you are likely to find lots of options for maintenance free shutters on the market today.  The style of house shutters that are best for you will depend upon finances as well as the primary reason for the shutters.  Wood House Shutters are engineered for everything from staving off damage from a hurricane to improving your curb appeal.  Find the ones that are right for needs.

Buying shutters is not difficult. Take a look at shutters on line or on buildings in your area to settle on what styles you like and also which materials and colors.  When you sort out your likes and dislikes, you can research some prices and then be ready to request your shutters for installation.

Shutter Styles

There are two general styles available in exterior house shutters. There are the narrow paneled shutters sporting small louvers. These are basically the more traditional shutters which are used on homes.  The other style is the thicker louvered shutters that are known as plantation type shutters.  Take a look at both styles to help you in making a decision. 

If you are having trouble deciding, take another look at homes you like that have shutters.  You can ask your local cabinetmaker about available kinds of shutters if you are unsure.

Shutter Finish

In case you choose wooden shutters, you are going to have to have the shutters either stained or painted.  Staining is the method of painting on a translucent color and then wiping it off.  You can still see the grains of the wood with staining. Painting gives the shutters an opaque finish. Again, the appropriate finish depends on personal taste.  You should see to it that they are sealed, however, whether they are painted or stained. 

If your shutters are made of vinyl, they do not require painting and cannot be stained.  Vinyl shutters can be immediately installed and are maintenance free.

Unit Sizes

The size of your house shutters naturally have to reflect the size of the windows they are attached to.  Taking into account that they will most likely remain open, the shutters should still look as though they could be shut and block the entire window opening. This means that the shutters ought to be large enough to block the entire window.  You need to know the dimensions of your window so the shutters will fit.  Also keep in mind that you can use double tiered or single tiered shutters, both of which make a difference. 

Price

Shop the prices of manufacturers in your neighborhood as well as those on the internet.  You could get made to order shutters from a carpenter, and should contact any in your area that make shutters. That will probably not be your most cost-efficient option, though. You will often be able to purchase house shutters at a discount online than at a home improvement center because you do not have to offset the cost of sales commissions or overhead.  Purchasing shutters from the manufacturer can be more affordable.  Just remember to make sure you have the correct dimensions and ask the customer service center questions before buying the shutters.

Buying shutters is not difficult. Check out various shutters on line or on houses around town to decide what styles you like in addition to materials and colors.  After you have an idea what you like, you can research some prices and then be ready to request your shutters for delivery.

Shutter Styles

There are two general styles available in exterior house shutters. One style is the narrow paneled shutters sporting small louvers. These are considered the more traditional shutters which are used on homes.  Others are the wider louvered shutters that are known as plantation type shutters.  Be sure to check out both styles to help you in making a decision. 

If you are still undecided, drive around again and look at homes that you admire that have shutters.  You can ask a local woodworker about options for shutters if you are unsure.

Shutter Finish

Should you buy wooden shutters, you will have to have the shutters either stained or painted.  Staining is the method of brushing on a translucent color and then wiping it off.  You will continue to see the grains of the wood when the wood has been stained. Painting gives wooden shutters an opaque finish. As with everything else, the ideal finish depends on personal taste.  You should be sure they are coated with sealant, however, whether they are painted or stained. 

If you choose vinyl shutters, they do not need to be painted and cannot be stained.  Vinyl shutters can be immediately installed and are maintenance free.

Unit Sizes

The size of your house shutters will depend upon the size of the window units.  Even if they will most likely never be closed, the shutters should still appear as though they are able to swing closed and cover the entire window opening. Consequently the shutters ought to be big enough to block the complete window.  You need to know the dimensions of your window so the shutters will be proportionate.  Also remember that you can use double tiered or single tiered shutters, a choice that could make a difference. 

Price

Research the prices of shutter and siding companies in your area as well as those on the web.  You could get made to order shutters from a carpenter, and should visit any locally that build shutters. That will probably not be your most cost-efficient option, though. You will usually be able to purchase house shutters at a better price online than from a carpenter because you will not have the expense of sales commissions or overhead.  Buying shutters from the producer can be more affordable.  Just remember to make sure you have the correct dimensions and ask the salespeople questions before buying the shutters.

Do not be intimidated by the prospect of installing your own house shutters.  If others can do this easy job, so can you.  You only need to understand a few simple procedures.  There are two different ways to install your shutters.  You can choose between an inside mount or an outside mount.  It is preferred to use an inside mount that can be done right from your open window. 

Inside mount installation

When you perform an inside mount installation, the shutter is connected flush with the inside of the window frame on the window jamb.  This is ordinarily a better manner of installation and is much preferred by professionals because it is neater and needs no framing strips. 

Begin by checking to see that the window jamb is in good shape.  You will want to attach the shutter hardware with screws.  This will require drilling a hole through the jamb at certain points so that the hardware can be screwed into the window jamb.  The jamb needs to be solid so that the hardware will be secure. 

Once you have screwed on the hardware, you need to make sure that the shutters line up with the window.  You will want to use a level to check that that they are aligned. Follow the instructions of the supplier as each style of inside mounted shutter is different.  If you can use an electric drill, you will be able to easily complete an inside mount for your shutters. 

Outside mount installation

Obviously, an outside mount attaches to the outside of the window, normally into the trim, and sometimes the wall.  If you intend to install an outside mount on shutters inside your house, make sure that you do not screw the shutter into drywall unless it is anchored for the reason that the unit will likely rip itself out of the wall.  Some people prefer an outside mount which allows the shutters to be not quite exact as regards the measurements, which you just can’t do with an inside mount. Of course this means that the outside mount does not look as professional as the inside mount.

Make sure you use your level when installing house shutters so you can be certain that your shutters are straight.  Your eyes may give you bad information, but a level will not.  You will need an electric drill, a set of apexes, as well as toggles if you are installing into drywall without a stud. 

Do not be hesitant to install your house shutters yourself.  This is not a difficult job and after you have installed one shutter, the rest will come very easily.  As long as you have the proper tools, which are a screwdriver, drill, toggle mounts (if installing into drywall) and a level, you are capable of doing this job easily and within a short period of time.

You can opt for vinyl or wood shutters.  Wood shutters are usually cheaper, but have to be painted and maintained.  Vinyl shutters are actually less expensive over time.  Vinyl shutters can be purchased in a variety of colors and styles which can improve the appearance of your house. 

Should you decide on wood house shutters, you ought to use cedar.  Cedar weathers well and is fairly low maintenance.  Oak is one more wood product used for exterior shutters. You will have to be able to care for these shutters periodically by either staining or painting them.  When first purchased, wooden shutters come without stain or paint and have to be prepared before they are mounted.

You should set up a dry clean place in which to prepare the shutters. When painting them, you should prime them first, so that the paint will go on evenly.  Use an exterior paint on the shutters as an indoor latex paint is water soluble.  Once the paint is dry, you’ll need to coat the paint with a waterproof sealant so that it will last longer.

If you decide to stain the shutters, you can choose a wood stain that is oil based.  There are products that can stain and seal in one application which will save you effort.  Staining does not give a monochromatic finish, but allows the grain to show through the stain while adding some color.  Whether you decide to stain or paint the wood shutters can be decided according to your taste. 

An effective way to figure out what design of house shutters that you like is to drive around and search out other properties with exterior house shutters.  Looking at these shutters actually on homes can alert you to some different options and can help you form a clearer picture of how each style of shutters will look on your home. 

Mounting exterior shutters is not difficult, presuming that you have some basic carpentry skills to help you complete this task.  It would be wise to hire a professional to mount the shutters if you are uncomfortable with this process.  Please consider that they are on the exterior of the house and anyone passing will see them, so you want to do a proper job when mounting the shutters.  Normally, shutters are packaged with the hardware to be used for hanging and the process is fairly easy.

Exterior shutters offer an inexpensive way to add a bit of décor to the exterior of your property and allow it to stand out from the other homes.  Most recently built homes do not come with shutters.  By hanging exterior shutters, you can upgrade your home and your curb appeal.