Add Appeal To Your Home With Shutters

What people remember about homes are the charming details that give it away as a house that was built 50, 60, 70 years ago. Shutters are one of these often overlooked details that help make up that first impression of a home. Well done shutters will add interest and texture to a house.  Cheap shutters, which are so common that many people don’t even question the look, can give a flat, pasted-on appearance; authentic ones can make all the difference.

Shutter Basics

So if you are looking to add some extra curb appeal to your home and you want to add or change shutters to your home what should you look for? Well there are some basics on shutters that you should know when shopping around. For starters the size of the shutter in relation to your window is important. Every shutter on the home doesn't have to be the same size as the others; all that matters is that each shutter properly fits its adjacent window. Each shutter should be exactly one-half the width of the window; this is the first cardinal rule to follow, regardless of how wide the window is. The whole idea is that you must give the believable appearance that they could actually be closed over to protect against sun, storms, or cold; therefore they should always be mounted on the side window trim rather than against the outside edges of it. The length of the shutter needs to be exactly that of its particular window, this is the second cardinal rule. So when shopping for your shutters make sure you know the size of the windows they will be placed adjacent to.

Shutter Styles

So now that you know the size, style is the next decision to be made. There are as many styles as one can imagine, however there are some more popular, main stream styles that may match the style of your home. Here are a few of the more popular styles.

1. The most commonly used shutter style is the Louvered.  Louvered window shutters offer a tasteful signature styling and a timeless accent to homes. Look for well-made versions of wood or a high-quality synthetic material. Not the cheapest on sale at the mega-hardware store. It will cheapen the look of your home. 
2. Raised Panel shutters add that traditional colonial look. With a traditional 2 panel to custom 3 panel shutters, imagine the graceful yet enduring beauty that these exterior shutters can bring to your home. 
3. The Combination shutter which originated in the New Orleans area has a unique combination of both louver and raised panel. It offers the beauty of both styles, and provides a second glance appeal to traditional styles. You can mix and match your styles with a variety of louver and raised panel combinations to make your own unique look.
4. In its simplest form the Board-n-Batten shutters has been rumored to be the first style of shutter invented. The vertical members are referred to as the boards and the horizontal members are referred to as the battens. This classic style is perfect for ranch style homes or homes that want to reflect historical significance and simplicity.
5. Flat Panel shutters are inspired after the Shaker design where clean lines and simplicity define style. These shutters are perfect for Arts & Crafts or Craftsman style homes. 
6. The combination of both Board-n-Batten and Flat Panel shutters, the Framed Board-n-Batten shutters add a unique look. Commonly used on traditional style homes, the Framed Board-n-Batten shutter has been growing in popularity against the traditional louver, raised panel, and board-n-batten shutter style.
7. Rustic, Rough Sawn window shutters can be seen throughout times past. Rough sawn lumber is lumber that is left in a rough, non-finished state. These shutters have a rich, rustic look to them, complete with the gouges and scrapes associated with traditional rough sawn lumber. The grain of the rough sawn shutters is also exaggerated to intensify the traditional rough sawn look. 

Material & Color

To make the best of your curb appeal using shutters make sure to choose a quality material the shutters are made from. There are several different long lasting materials on the market these days.

• Vinyl
• Wood
• Composite Wood
• Premium PVC & aluminum 
• Fiberglass Premium Composite

Color is also an important choice for shutters. Will you want to paint or stain your new shutters? Which one will best represent the look you want to create with your home? Although most people choose a color the beauty of stained-wood shutters is hard to beat.  Choose neutral colors if you want your home to blend in with the surroundings. For a house that stands out, opt for a bold color palette. When making this choice you might want to take into consideration the color of your landscape. Once they are up stand back and take a good look, you've just increased the appeal of your home!