Decorate Your Home With Exterior Shutter

There are thousands of decorating ideas in use around the world but only a handful have found their way into the mainstream of our part of the world. House shutters are gaining in popularity again as homeowners try to add style and elegance to their homes. The exterior, or outdoor, shutters tend to be more decorative than functional and interior shutters do a good job of controlling the level of light allowed into a particular room. Shutters were originally placed over windows when glass wasn't an option or it was too expensive (if you've ever watched Little House on the Prairie they have shutters over their farmhouse windows). There are so many styles, sizes, and materials to choose from it can be a difficult task just to get started. What goes well with your homes exterior or interior design? Do you need to hire a decorator to make things work? Hopefully after reading this article you will have a better understanding of what is out there for you to choose from and which design styles fit your taste, either indoors or outdoors.

Types of Shutters For Your Home Exterior

Window shutters on the exterior of your house to give a facelift and increase its curb appeal. The extensive range available adds style to, and enhances, the architectural design of your home. Fixed window shutters are purely for decorative purposes. These are attached to the home exterior and add to its aesthetic appeal. The other type is the operable shutter that can be closed or opened, as required, and offers protection from the sun, enhances your home security, and is useful during storms.Composite wood decking

Wooden Shutters

These are the classic shutters that add a stylish dimension to your home, but are difficult to maintain. They are made of a variety of woods, such as red cedar, pine or other exotic types, but the solid shutters made from cedar are durable, and can withstand harsh outdoor environments. These can be louvered, raised panel, board and batten, mixed louver and raised panel, arched, 1/4 arch lazy arch, among many other configurations, depending on your choice. Despite the cost of maintenance, the versatility and design capabilities of wood make it the choice for exterior shutters.

Vinyl Shutters

These shutters are molded shutters, and are lightweight, inexpensive, durable, and require no maintenance. They provide a traditional look and last a lifetime. They are available in a variety of colors, and if you wish to paint them yourself, they are also available in ready to paint primed condition. Some manufacturers will custom make vinyl shutters to your specifications, in numerous styles that include fixed louver, board and batten, class and raised panel, combination panel, as well as arches.Composite Wood Floor

Fiberglass Shutters

Though expensive to buy, the fiberglass/composite shutters are inexpensive, considering the low maintenance cost. The composite material, the latest in space-age materials, will not be rot, warp, and split. They come with a 20 year warranty and are used as storm shutters, and security purposes. They are available in a variety of colors, and styles, such as arches, louvered, raised panel, board and batten and Bahama styles, among others.

Aluminum Shutters

These shutters have evolved in the recent years as a suitable replacement for wooden shutters that are hard, and expensive, to maintain.These low maintenance shutters are strong and meet the hurricane engineering standards. Normally available in colonial louvered and Bahama shutter styles, they can be custom made in the arch, raised panel, and even board and batten styles, at extra cost.

Despite a variety of shutters to choose from, the traditional wooden still warm the cockles of everyone heart.Composite Flooring Advantages

Exterior Cedar shutters, which are the choice wood for shutters, have natural bug-repellent tannin. In addition, it is not prone to warping, and its natural oils have sealing properties that help prevent decay and rot.

The main advantage of wooden shutters is that they can be adapted to any style you require, and can be available as either fixed models, or as those that can be operated to shut or open.

You can have your exterior house shutters custom made, with any combinations, including having the louvers and panels placed horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.