Planning a masculine home

Choosing Shutters for Your Home

26 June 2019

Felicia Carr

Exterior shutters are an excellent feature for any house as they help break up the look of long walls and add a pop of colour to a home's exterior. Operational shutters also keep windows clean and protect them from storm damage. Shutters can also help darken a home's interior, something you might appreciate if you suffer from headaches or when it's time to put the children down for a nap.

When choosing shutters for your home, you might be surprised at your many choices and options. To make your selection easier, note a few vital differences between shutter varieties and be sure to discuss the best choice for your home with a decorator or shutter installer.

Roller versus Hinged

Roller shutters disappear into a cassette above the window, making them an excellent choice if you want the protection of shutters during a storm but then want them to disappear when not in use. Roller shutters also typically operate with a wand or remote inside the home, making it possible to close them without having to open the windows.

Hinged shutters have a more traditional and decorative look, but consider how many hinged and visible shutters you would need around the house; if your home has lots of windows and you plan on installing shutters around all of them, the exterior might start to look a bit cluttered. You might also need to open the window pane and screen and reach out to close hinged shutters manually, so consider this added effort when deciding if hinged shutters are an option for you.

Material

Metal and plastic shutters are often preferred in areas with strong storms and high winds, as they're typically most durable against hail and other such debris. Lightweight plastic shutters also mean less wear and tear on the cassette and rollers so you might need to repair and replace them less often.

The downside of metal and plastic is that the materials might not be as visually appealing as traditional wood shutters. You can also repaint wood shutters over the years, allowing you to change their colour and create a fresh look outside the house.

Other Features to Consider

Shutters that lock into position from inside the home might provide added security against intruders and rattle far less in high winds! Also, if you need added shade inside the home, note any gaps between the slats of a shutter style. Slats of roller shutters might fit together more snugly, allowing in less sunlight than wood shutter slats.

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