They are an impeccable way to add curb appeal and style. Use our guide to identify which exterior shutters would look stunning with your home.

What type of house do you have?

Before choosing an exterior shutter, you need to identify what type of house you are living in. Is it a mid-century modern home? Victorian style? It’s important to make sure the shutters match your home style. The Door Store & Windows have some recommendations on types of exterior shutters to choose from:

Louvered:  Historically accurate installation will call for louvers to offer rain protection when closed. We’ve become so accustomed to shutters remaining open that today’s louvered shutters are often installed so that rain protection is provided when open. Louvers can be fixed or movable and can be designed as full louvered or louvered/panel combination.

Board and Batten: Generally consisting of several boards mounted vertically with horizontal or “Z” cross bracing and traditionally used on barn-styled homes for a rustic country feel.

Solid Panel and Raised Panel: Panel shutters are identified by the number of panels on each shutter. Three panel shutters generally have a small panel on top, a larger panel in the middle and the largest panel on the bottom. Panel sizes can differ based on the size of the shutter.

Bermuda or Bahama: These shutters are mounted much like an awning over the window. Generally found in coastal areas, Bermuda shutters offer a Caribbean style with protection from the hot rays of the sun.

What size?

Next step is to measure the windows carefully, both vertically and horizontally. According to Shutterstile, a 15-inch wide shutter looks right to most people on just about any window that is 36 inches high or more, provided the exterior shutters are about the same height as the window. It is also essential to remember when the shutters are closed, they should be able to assemble inside and fill the window casing.

What materials?

Exterior shutters are available in a wide selection of materials such as wood, fiberglass and poly vinyl chloride (PVC). Using wood shutters for example, would add a rustic and authentic look to your house. There are also different types of wood shutters you could use such as cedar, cypress, pine and basswood. Fiberglass shutters will last a long time and don’t require much maintenance. PVC shutters are highly resilient and a less expensive option.

What colours?

This is probably the most exciting part about choosing exterior shutters. So many colours to choose from! You want to make sure you choose a colour which looks aesthetically pleasing and something you will be happy with for many years. It’s always wise to choose a colour and shade based on what brick or stone foundation your home is made of. Keep watch of your home’s exterior during different times of the day to see all the possible light variations.  Most home residents tend to stick within the same colour family. For instance, with dark-coloured exteriors, contemplate choosing a colour a few shades lighter. Lastly, just make sure the exterior shutters don’t clash with the rest of the house.

What do I do next?

After the exterior shutters have been installed properly, you can relax and enjoy the new aesthetic to your home. If you want to continue to have your home be the talk of the neighbourhood (in a good way), consider these additional side projects to capitalize on your home’s curb appeal.

Happy Decorating!