Exterior window shutters are one way to make your house stand out amongst the crowd and they also offer extra protection for the windows when the weather takes a turn for the worst. It's usually quite easy to install exterior shutters but if you need any help the shutter companies are more than capable of advising you on what you should do.
If you decide to go ahead with adding shutters to the home exterior make sure you think about the level of quality you need that is going to stand the test of time because you don't want to have to go about replacing them after a short amount of time. Just like blinds where you have everything from roller blinds to motorised blinds. With shutters you also have quite a number of options and it's up to you to decide which type you want to use.
You can buy shutters made from several different types of material but wood is the most popular for a home and it can also be a cheaper option over other materials used.
Hardwoods are used for exterior window shutters as they provide excellent durability and can withstand the elements rather well. Both cedar and basswood are the preferred woods chosen by shutter companies which you will see if you visit any company that sells shutters.
Cedar, like basswood is great at stopping moisture which is important to stop the wood from warping and as a whole it is very long lasting but you need to still add a protective coating to the shutters before you put them up.
Just like any wood treatment you will want to add a primer to your shutters. You can get an oil based primer which matches closely to the color you plan on using as there is a wide selection to choose from. Adding oil will only help to strengthen the wood's natural resistance making them weather proof and long lasting. If you're not used to painting you can always seek the advice of the shutter company or even approach a professional painter who will be able to tell you the best way to go about it. The other resource everyone has is to just do some research online and you will find more than enough information on the subject. That's what I did when I wanted to find out what size motorised blinds I could get for my home. I also spent some time looking up interior shutters as well but didn't bother buying any in the end.
When you're fitting the shutters be sure to allow a gap between the panels and the house to assure ventilation is made. Don't forget to use the right type of screws. You can buy ones which don't corrode and once you've finished putting the shutters in it's just a case of painting over the screw heads to finish things off.
What color you decide to have in the end is entirely up to you but you should try to pick a color which matches the style of the house and the area you live in.
One thing you do have to bare in mind with exterior shutters is the upkeep as you will need to re-stain them from time to time to keep them from deteriorating. Also make sure you picking finishes which are specifically designed for the exterior. It's easy to go into your local hardware store and pick the wrong can off the shelf.
There is no question that exterior shutters can really make a difference to your home so it's certainly worth considering when you next decide to make some type of home improvement. If you're lucky it may even add value to your home and so could be a real worthwhile investment in the long run.
