| There are thousands of decorating ideas in use | | | | These shutters are molded shutters, and are |
| around the world but only a handful have found | | | | lightweight, inexpensive, durable, and require no |
| there way into the mainstream of our part of the | | | | maintenance. They provide a traditional look and |
| world. House shutters are gaining in popularity | | | | last a lifetime. They are available in a variety of |
| again as homeowners try to add style and | | | | colors, and if you wish to paint them yourself, |
| elegance to their homes. The exterior, or outdoor, | | | | they are also available in the ready to paint |
| shutters tend to be more decorative than | | | | primed condition. Some manufacturers will custom |
| functional and interior shutters do a good job of | | | | make vinyl shutters to your specifications, in |
| controlling the level of light allowed into a particular | | | | numerous styles that include fixed louver, board |
| room. Shutters were originally placed over | | | | and batten, classic and raised panel, combination |
| windows when glass wasn't an option or it was | | | | panel, as well as arches. |
| too expensive (if you've ever watched Little | | | | Fiberglass Shutters |
| House on the Prairie they have shutters over | | | | Though expensive to buy, the fiberglass |
| their farmhouse windows). There are so many | | | | composite shutters are inexpensive, considering |
| styles, sizes, and materials to choose from it can | | | | the low maintenance cost. The composite |
| be a difficult task just to get started. What goes | | | | material, the latest in space-age materials, will not |
| well with your homes exterior or interior design? | | | | rot, warp, and split. They come with a 20 year |
| Do you need to hire a decorator to make things | | | | warranty and are used as storm shutters, and |
| work? Hopefully after reading this article you will | | | | for security purposes. They are available in a |
| have a better understanding of what is out there | | | | variety of colors, and styles, such as arches, |
| for you to choose from and which design styles | | | | louvered, raised panel, board and batten and |
| fit your taste, either indoors or outdoors. | | | | Bahama styles, among others. |
| Types of Shutters For Your Home's Exterior | | | | Aluminum Shutters |
| Window shutters on the exterior of your house | | | | These shutters have evolved in the recent years |
| give a facelift and increase its curb appeal. The | | | | as a suitable replacement for wooden shutters |
| extensive range available adds style to, and | | | | that are hard, and expensive, to maintain.These |
| enhances, the architectural design of your home. | | | | low maintenance shutters are strong and meet |
| The fixed window shutters are purely for | | | | the hurricane engineering standards. Normally |
| decorative purposes. These are attached to the | | | | available in colonial louvered and Bahama shutter |
| home's exterior and add to its aesthetic appeal. | | | | styles, they can be custom made in arch, raised |
| The other type is the operable shutter that can | | | | panel, and even board and batten styles, at extra |
| be closed or opened, as required, and offers | | | | cost. |
| protection from the sun, enhances your home's | | | | Despite a variety of shutters to choose from, the |
| security, and is useful during storms. | | | | traditional wooden still warm the cockles of |
| Wooden Shutters | | | | everyone's heart. |
| These are the classic shutters that add a stylish | | | | Exterior cedar shutters, which is the choice wood |
| dimension to your home, but are difficult to | | | | for shutters, has natural bug-repellent tannin. In |
| maintain. They are made of a variety of woods, | | | | addition, it is not prone to warping, and its natural |
| such as red cedar, pine or other exotic types, but | | | | oils have sealing properties that help prevent |
| the solid shutters made from cedar are durable, | | | | decay and rot. |
| and can withstand harsh outdoor environments . | | | | The main advantage of wooden shutters is that |
| These can be louvered, raised panel, board and | | | | they can be adapted to any style you require, |
| batten, mixed louver and raised panel, arched, 1/4 | | | | and can be available as either fixed models, or as |
| arch lazy arch, among many other configurations, | | | | those that can be operated to shut or open. |
| depending on your choice. Despite the cost of | | | | You can have your exterior house shutters |
| maintenance, the versatility and the design | | | | custom made, with any combinations, including |
| capabilities of wood makes it the choice for | | | | having the louvers and panels placed horizontally, |
| exterior shutters. | | | | vertically, or diagonally. |
| Vinyl Shutters | | | | |