Welcome to Better Exterior Shutters! We started this site to help people decide on the best type of shutters for the outside of their home. We hope you find it helpful and informative.
Exterior shutters are easily one of the most common decorations that you’ll find on the exterior of homes. In fact, they’re so common that most people assume that they will be used for decoration on their home. Windows just look a bit bare without shutters around them. And while many shutters are there just for decoration, did you know that there are some exterior shutters that are actually functional? That is to say, these functional exterior shutters actually swing shut to protect the window from wind, rain, hail or other inclement weather.
The main problem that people run into when trying to decide on some shutters for their home is trying to sort through all of the various types, styles and options out there. If you’ve ever been shopping for some shutters, you know exactly how many types there are to choose between. Better Exterior Shutters is here to help you sort through all of your options and find the right type of shutters for your home.
Buying Exterior Shutters
The first thing to decide when you decide to look for some exterior shutters is whether you want decorative or functional shutters. Decorative shutters are going to be less expensive, but functional shutters will also serve to protect your home. If you live in an area that gets a lot of wind, rain and storms, then you might want to consider functional shutters. They often look just as attractive as decorative shutters, but they are built to be far more durable and sturdy. If you are not concerned with damage from storms, then decorative shutters will be the best fit for you.
Wooden Shutters vs Vinyl Shutters
The next thing to consider is what material you want your shutters to be made from. The most popular choices are wood, plastic, vinyl, and synthetic composites. If you are choosing to go with functional exterior shutters, then wood is most likely going to be the best option for you here. Wood shutters are heavier and better able to withstand wind and rain than the other options. Make sure to get a good type of wood with your wooden shutters. Some types of wood are more susceptible to rot and insect damage than other types.
If you’re going with decorative exterior shutters, then vinyl is most likely your best option. Vinyl is durable, virtually maintenance-free, and comes with the added bonus of not needing to be painted. The color of the vinyl material is permanently infused in the manufacturing process, so you don’t have to pain vinyl shutters the way you would wooden shutters.
Hurricane Shutters
Another option that is not necessary in most areas, but that can come in handy in certain locations, is hurricane shutters. Hurricane shutters are used most frequently in coastal areas that are at risk of hurricane damage, and they often take the place of regular exterior shutters in these areas. Hurricane shutters are usually made of metal and completely cover the window or door they protect.
There are several different types of hurricane shutters – roller shutters, accordion shutters, Bahama shutters, and Colonial shutters, to name a few. The trade-off with using hurricane shutters is that they generally detract from the look of your home when they are no in use. There are some styles of these shutters that can actually add to the decor of your home – most notably Colonial and Bahamas shutters – but generally hurricane shutters are very utilitarian and not meant to be decorative. For this reason, most people will not choose to use hurricane shutters unless they absolutely need them for protection from storms.