One of the best things about getting a new home is being able to decorate everything just the way that you want it. And one of my favorite things to decorate is my windows – on the inside and out. I love deciding between curtains and blinds for the inside – one of my favorite window treatments is using bamboo blinds on my windows – and I almost always go with some lovely exterior shutters for the outsides of my windows.
I generally choose to go with just decorative exterior shutters, instead of functional ones. I don’t live somewhere that has a lot of bad weather, so there’s not a whole lot of need for functional shutters, and decorative shutters are generally less expensive.
Decorative shutters can be found in several materials: vinyl, plastic and wood, with vinyl and plastic (or a plastic composite) being the most popular choices. Vinyl and plastic are popular because they are quite durable, fairly inexpensive and they don’t require a lot of maintenance. In addition, vinyl and plastic shutters don’t need to be painted, as the material itself is manufactured as a certain color. This means no checking for cracked or peeling paint, and no laborious repainting job every year.
Vinyl and plastic exterior shutters can be purchased from a number of retailers across the nation. Obviously the big names, such as Lowe’s and Home Depot, will carry a large selection of them and you can most likely find several local suppliers that can help you choose some great shutters for your home. I prefer dealing with the local guys myself – the service is almost always better and I have fewer issues getting problems fixed – but go with whoever you like in your area.
Prices will most likely vary by the particular job and amount of competition in your area, but vinyl and plastic shutters can generally be found for around $20 to $50 per pair.
Wooden exterior shutters are another option that you have when you’re looking for shutters. Wood is more commonly used for functional shutters, but you can find it for decorative shutters as well. Pretty much the only reason to choose wood over vinyl or plastic is because you just like the look of wood better. Wood has to be stained or painted and requires a bit more maintenance than the other two materials, but – and I agree here – a lot of people just like the way it looks. Wooden exterior shutters are generally going to run you $75 to $100 per pair.