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If you’re thinking of updating your home with exterior shutters, there are a few things you should consider. Like many projects you can do around the house, there are a right way and a wrong way in overall execution. Let’s cover some things to avoid when adding exterior shutters to your home.
The Right Material
While it may be tempting to choose the inexpensive route and select vinyl shutters, the reality is that they don’t last nearly as long as other shutter materials. Exterior shutters should be an investment for your home and the idea behind that is to have them last for many years. Vinyl shutters often crack and discolor faster than any other type of material, and in the long run, more of your money will be spent on replacing them every few years. Investing in a quality shutter material the first time around can make all the difference.
Improperly Sized Shutters
Easily one of the most common mistakes we see is exterior shutters that are either too big or too small for windows. Historically, exterior shutters were meant to close over each window for privacy or ventilation. With that said, a pair of shutters that are too small or big won’t look quite right. Take some time to thoroughly measure your windows for shutters to ensure picture-perfect results!
Missing Shutter Capping
Think of shutter capping as a roof for the top edge of your exterior shutters. Shutter capping can extend the longevity of your shutters immensely as it repels water and moisture from seeping into your shutters, causing unwanted warping and prolonged issues. Investing in quality exterior shutter materials and shutter capping can improve the overall lifespan of your exterior shutters.
Confusing Fixed and Functional Shutters
Since exterior shutters were originally intended to be open and shut, many homeowners crave those authentic details and wind up adding functional shutter hardware when it comes time to installing their shutters. On the other hand, depending on the material of your home or window casing, going the fixed mount route is better justified, but can yield dramatic results. Fixed mounted shutters are essentially mounted directly onto the face of your home, which is a perfect segue into the final mistake to avoid!
Selecting the Wrong Shutter Hardware
When it’s time to add shutter hardware to the picture, ensuring you have the right style and compatible hardware is very important. Once you’ve decided if your shutters are going to be fixed or functional, it’ll be that much easier finding the appropriate hardware to really elevate the look of your exterior shutters!
