The Benefits Of Exterior Wood Shutters

By Author: Karen Hoffmann
Total Articles: 18
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Wood shutters for your home are available in styles from rustic to elegant. Robust and reliable, they provide protection from the sun and nosy passerby. They'll last a long time, giving you great value for your money. Not only are wooden exterior shutters a way to add curb appeal to your home, they provide economic benefits too. Louvered shutters allow cool breezes to flow while keeping hot air out. And by providing protection against sun, wind, and rain, they help you protect your home investment. Read on for more reasons to invest in quality, customizable exterior wood shutters.

Historical and Decorative Value

Right away, you'll notice a dramatic difference in how your house looks. If the windows are the eyes to the home, the shutters set them off and make them more inviting. The overall effect is warm and welcoming.

Decorative and operable shutters generally are sold in three styles: louvered, raised-panel and board and batten.

Louvered shutters give homes an authentic historical appearance. Whether Mediterranean, Mission, or Minimal, any style of home can fit with louvered shutters. Depending ...
... on the proportions of the room, windows, and furniture, a narrower or wider louver may be more appropriate to the style of the home. Shutters can feature either fixed or adjustable louvers, in any variety of configurations to suit the style of your project.

Multi-functional shutters with movable louvers that rotate for adjustable light, ventilation, and privacy. On a breezy day, wood shutters can be shut to allow cool moderate breezes to pass through the home. Traditionally, raised-panel shutters were used on the first floor for privacy, and louvered shutters were used on higher levels to allow heat to escape the home.

Durable Protection

Many styles of shutter offer homeowners protection against outside weather conditions. Exterior shutters are often seen in coastal cities, protecting windows against storms. Bermuda shutters in particular provide good protection against strong winds and heavy rain.

Protecting you from the sun, board-and-batten shutters, which are made of thick wooden slabs carved to resemble Southwestern barn shutters or Northeastern colonial shutters, can be closed on scorching days.

A wood like cedar can withstand hurricane-force winds, rain, and scorching heat. On the other hand, it's pliable enough to be carved into different shapes. Compared to other woods like pine, sycamore, and chestnut, cedar is a tougher, more durable choice.

Wood is also a healthy choice for your custom shutters, especially if you have children. Unlike vinyl, wood is a natural material and free of chemicals.

Options for Customization

Shutters are a highly versatile way to add emphasis to your living space. The style you choose for your wooden exterior shutters is malleable, as wooden shutters can be made to suit a host of tastes and needs. Your design options range from rugged to chic, depending on your architectural style. Choose a design that will blend with the lines and history of your home. Shutters can be painted, too, to really show off your house.

Using modern precision machining technology, shutters should be fit to your windows exactly. This improves energy efficiency. Choose a manufacturer who can handle unusual window sizes if those are an issue in your home.

If you prefer ornate shutters, shutter horns or custom mouldings may be right for you. Customize your plantation shutters further with tailor-made rails and stiles, mouse holes, extra-wide or narrow louvers, or decorative faux lift rods.

Good-looking and useful to boot, exterior wooden shutters make financial sense as home additions. You'll see the difference outside, feel it inside, and really appreciate it on your energy bill!

Estate Millwork sells custom shutters, including the board-and-batten, Bahama, and louver style shutters. For more information, visit the company's Web site and view all of theirwood shutters.

Estate Millwork's louvered shutters are crafted from the finest quality hardwoods on the exterior shutter market. Please feel free to contact Estate Millwork for more information about window shutters and shutter hardware, or visit www.estatemillwork.com