The image of the classic American home includes wooden window shutters. Although still effective, the need for shutters to help insulate from the damaging elements of weather is less today as it was in the past. The technologies of window glaze, calking, and other sealants has reduced this need. Most shutters on modern homes are never closed. They are installed to add this nostalgic appearance without the practical aspects being given much thought.

Although not as important as in past years, the need for insulation of windows still presents itself especially in the extreme parts of the year. Shutters provide a lot of insulation from the heat and cold by providing a compartment of still air between the window glass and the weather conditions outside the shutter. They are also effective at keeping the sun from beaming through the window and raising the temperature inside or fading furniture fabric. They do have some drawbacks, however.

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Shutters need to be removed from the home when repainting; they can be very time consuming to paint around. They, themselves, must be repainted, as well, and they are not easy to repaint. Each individual slat must be scraped, prepared, and painted. This can take a very long time when done correctly. Another thing is that shutters must be opened and closed if they are intended to provide added insulation.

Wooden window shutters have a maintenance factor that must be considered before installing them, but they can be a very nice effect for the exterior of a home. They can increase the value and add a very nice retro look. They also provide an effective practical benefit. They insulate the home and decrease heating and cooling expenses by reducing air movement through the windows. They also prevent sunlight from fading items inside the home. If the added expenditure of time and labor to maintain them is acceptable, however, they can raise the value and give a home a much more interesting appearance.

Interior window shutters, also known as plantation shutters, are a great option for enhancing your homes look. They provide a multitude of benefits, come in a variety of styles, and can be custom made to fit your windows perfectly. Interior wood shutters are unique and have the ability to make any room stand out.

One major benefit of interior wooden shutters is that it gives you the ability to control the amount of light that is coming into the home. Have you ever tried to take a nap in the afternoon on a very sunny day? If you have, then you know, first hand, how difficult it can be to nap in a room that is filled with bright sunlight. Having wooden shutters allows you to drastically reduce or completely eliminate the amount of light that is coming into your home.

Besides taking a nap, there are other reasons why you may want to reduce the sunlight in a room. Controlling the amount of light that you let in gives you a feeling of privacy as well as helps you to save energy. When heat is shining brightly into a room, it takes additional energy to keep the room cool, which causes the air conditioning to work harder. This is especially true in very hot climates. Interior shutters helps drastically by reducing the amount of energy needed to cool the home.

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The type of wood used to make shutters include oak, cedar, and mahogany, cherry and faux wood. A variety of designs and styles of this wood is available. These beautiful woods help to enhance the intrinsic beauty of a homes interior. This is the primary reason why these shutters have become so popular.

Finally, high quality interior shutters last for many years. They can be found at popular retail stores, however, the widest variety of shutters at the most reasonable prices are generally found online. Wooden shutters will definitely provide beauty to any window in any home, and also add value to the home. Interior wooden shutters are a great idea for anyone looking to drastically enhance their interior home décor.

Exterior wood shutters must be painted periodically, and they are not easy to paint. They must be opened and closed from outdoors, which is a hassle, especially in inclement weather. The wind can grab them and slam them around causing damage to the shutters and to the side of the house requiring repairs.

Shutters for the interior of the home cause none of these problems; however, they do not provide as much insulation. Exterior shutters block the wind from hitting the window, directly; the ones on the inside of the window do not block the wind, but since they are not exposed to the weather, the interior type do not require as much painting or maintenance.

They block the sunlight from causing a glare on the television screen or fading the furniture like curtains or drapes, but they do not require all of the laundering. They can be painted to be compatible with the wall color in the room. In a library or study, they can be stained to be compatible with the bookshelves and woodwork to create a very stylish effect.

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If you are looking for interior shutters for your home but want to choose something a bit more unique, we would suggest one of two options: faux wood shutters and custom wood shutters. Faux wood shutters give you the look and design of wood, but without the high price. Custom wood shutters, on the other hand, are probably going to cost a bit more, but will be designed and built exactly as you wish them to be, so they will fit perfectly in your home.

For anyone that wants to spice up a drab, boring room, wood shutters for the interior of your home can be a wonderful addition. There is not much difference in the insulation value of the two types, but there is a big difference in the amount of maintenance. The aesthetic value, alone, is enough to justify installing them, and they can be installed easily and quickly. A level and a few pencil lines will ensure that they are straight and plumb. A screwdriver and a few screws is all it takes to attach them. It will take only a few hours to transform a boring room into one with a fresh, new appeal.

Interior wood shutters serve primarily as decoration in your home. They add a lovely touch of class and elegance, and are a great alternative from blinds and curtains for decorating your windows. In addition to their great looks, interior shutters can also serve a bit of practical function – pulling them shut over the window will block a good bit of the sunlight coming through. This will not only let you keep a room darker if you want to, but it will also help keep excess heat from passing through the window – great news for those of us who live in warmer areas!

If you are looking for something to use on the outside of your home, exterior wood shutters are a wise purchase. Wood, properly treated and prepared, is an excellent material for making shutters, as it is naturally sturdy and resists the elements very well. If you use wood for your exterior window shutters, make sure to inspect them once or twice a year for damage. Chances are good that they will need very little maintenance, but if you see any cracks in the wood or if the paint has begun to flake or peel, make sure to get them fixed quickly.

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One thing to know about wood shutters is that they often cost a bit more than other materials, such as vinyl shutters. If you want the look of wood but prefer to save some money, look into purchasing some faux wood shutters. These shutters are made from synthetic materials, but are styled and molded to look like wood. They even have a fake wood grain on each slat. Faux wood shutters generally come in a natural, unpainted look, but you can get them painted if you prefer.

Installing wood shutters is not incredibly complicated, but it can be difficult for one person to do alone. If you want to hang your shutters yourself, try to get a friend to come help you for a couple of hours. Otherwise, you’re probably better off hiring a professional. It may cost a bit more, but you’ll glad you did when you see your new wooden shutters hanging in your home.

Most exterior shutters made of wood are going to be functional shutters, which is to say that they are able to swing open and closed to cover the window as needed – great for some added protection for your windows when a storm is coming through. There are some exterior wood shutters made only for decoration, but these are more rare.

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You can also buy wooden shutters for indoor use. These are mainly going to be decorative, but many indoor shutters come with working louvers, which allow them to regulate the amount of air and sunlight passing through them. You can use this feature to help darken a bedroom or ventilate a living room. Interior shutters are not made for any sort of window protection, because let’s face it, if you often have high winds and flying debris on the inside of your home, then I don’t think that shutters are your biggest problem.

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An important aspect of buying wooden shutters is choosing the type of wood that they will be made from. I usually recommend talking to a professional about this to make sure you make a wise choice and get solid, durable shutters. Two types of wood to avoid are teak and Spanish cedar. These two woods are especially susceptible to damage from moisture and mildew so you don’t want your shutters made out of them. They are not as popular of a building material as they once were, but you may still run into them as you are doing your research.

The main drawback to wooden shutters is the amount of maintenance you’ll have to do to keep them looking good. First off, you should always purchase finished shutters – or at least do the finishing yourself – and never put up unfinished shutters on your home. Without the protection of the finish or paint, the wood simply isn’t going to last very long. Once your shutters are finished and installed, you’re going to have to inspect them once or twice a year to check for damage. In addition to this, you’ll have to repaint them every so often to keep the paint from cracking or peeling.

The first shutters that were ever put on houses were functional ones. They were installed in such a way that they could close to block wind, rain, flying debris or sunlight from coming through the window, or open to allow sunlight or a cool breeze to pass through. They had (and still have today) slats called louvers that allow air to pass through while keeping sunlight out, making them great for cooling an upstairs room during the summer.

Most functional exterior shutters these days are made of wood, although it’s possible to find some other materials such as various plastics. Wooden shutters are generally very durable and are also heavier and weightier than plastic and vinyl shutters, which makes them better able to stand up to strong winds and possible debris hitting them.

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The main issue people have with using wood for their exterior shutters is that it generally needs a bit more maintenance than vinyl or plastic do. Wood has to be stained or painted and the finish you choose has to be inspected once or twice a year to make sure that it’s not cracked or peeling. If it is, you get to repaint it. While you’re inspecting your shutters, you’ll also want to check for insect damage – those termites do love a tasty treat – or any sort of rot or mildew. Those last two things shouldn’t be a problem if the wood has been finished properly, but it doesn’t hurt to check for it anyway.

Installing functional shutters on your home’s exterior isn’t too different than decorative shutters, but there are a few additions to the process. The bracket that the shutter will swivel on goes on to the window or siding first and it has to be put in well since it will be holding the shutter up. Putting these shutters up isn’t really big deal for most people but if you have any doubt in your handyman skills it never hurts to call in a professional to do it for you.

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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.