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Philip Tyson, CEO
AGI Group, Inc.

Exterior Window Shutters Buyers' Guide

Become Informed! This quide will provide you the necessary information to help you select the right exterior shutter for your home.

As American as Apple pie are the exterior decorative window shutters that have adorned our homes and commercial buildings since before the time of George Washington. We have come along way baby since the 1700's with new materials, new finishes and new designs.

For 2008 AGI Group, brings the latest in materials and designs with a new LEGENDS line of the latest in vinyl, composite, aluminum and wood exterior shutters. Shutters in our LEGENDS series can be operable for closing for security or weather protection and can be purchased in economical versions for permanent decorative installation.

Let's take a brief look at all the decorative exterior window shutters from which you can choose. More detailed information can be found in the specific product areas. Product links are on the navigation bar to the left.

  • Aluminum Shutters
  • Composite Shutters
  • Vinyl Shutters
  • Wood Shutters
  • Pricing

Aluminum Shutters

Aluminum shutters have evolved in recent years to provide a reasonably priced replacement for wood shutters. The LEGENDS aluminum Colonial, Louvered, Board and Batten and Bahama shutter styles have enjoyed approval by many Historical Districts. The LEGENDS aluminum shutter products are strong and can meet the most stringent hurricane engineering standards. They are relatively low maintenance and can be powder-coat finished in 100’s of colors. LEGENDS shutters have a 3-year warranty.

The LEGENDS aluminum shutters can be arched and quarter round at extra cost. Aluminum shutters have a smooth finish with out any wood graining. The Aluminum exterior shutters are a great value if you need approved storm-shutter protection or simply want great security when closed that will also add to the look and value of your home or office. Pricing

Legends PolyLite Composite Shutters
Legends Traditional Composite Shutters
Atlantic Premium Classic Shutters
Atlantic Premium Architectural Shutters

The number of the composite shutter choices has grown substantially in the last year. We have developed our LEGENDS line of composite shutters (PolyLite and Traditional) to add to Atlantic Premium Shutters Classic and Architectural offerings.

LEGENDS Composite Shutters are available in a light version (PolyLite) utilizing a high-density foam pre-primed in faux louvered, raised panel and board and batten styles. This is a great product that has a solid back in lots of great designs at an economical cost.

The LEGENDS Traditional composite shutter is produced from a proprietary composite wood, the same material that allows the use of actual profiles of the rails, styles and louvers that can be cut and assembled in a fashion similar to wood shutters. This opens the opportunity for special shapes and virtually unlimited design possibilities.

The new LEGENDS Traditional composite wood shutter is featured in 38 HISTORICALLY ACCURATE Sherwin-Williams colors selected from their Exterior Preservation Palette and can be painted virtually any custom color for a low extra cost.

The LEGENDS Traditional carries a lifetime limited warranty for materials and 10 years on the finish. You can order true louver, true tilting louver, raised panel, board and batten, popular Bahama shutters, arched, curved, cutouts or any design you may have in mind. They are even available approved for hurricane protection.

LEGENDS Traditional shutters are priced below comparable products.

Atlantic renamed their Stonefield line to "Classic" and their Fiberglass line to "Architectural". The most popular styles have been retained and a few new designs added. Prices have been increased mainly for smaller shutters and the larger shutters, in some cases, have been reduced.

The Classic line consists of a faux louver (solid back) style; raised panel and board and batten styles. The material used is the Atlantic proprietary composite material with a 10-year warranty on the material and the finish.

The Architectural product is a top-of-the-line shutter comprised of a combination of composite and fiberglass materials with a life-time material and a 15-year finish warranty. It is architecturally correct and historically accurate. Atlantic Premium Architectural Shutters are available in true louver (open back), raised panel, combination louver and panel and the ever-popular Bahama-shutter styles.

The Architectural shutters are fully operational and there is hardware that compliments the shutters and provides full functionality. The Architectural shutters are available in 40 standard colors with custom colors available at considerable extra charge.

Features
Material Rigid Foam Proprietary Composite Proprietary Composite Proprietary Composite
Price Example:
15" x 48" Louver
14 x 47
$184.24
$428.00 $403.00 $528.00
Custom Colors NA - Primed Only $500 Upcharge $250 Up charge $500 Up charge
Louvered Shutters Solid Back Solid Back Open Back Open Back
Finish Primed 40 Standard Colors 38 Standard Colors 40 Standard Colors
Weight Light All are heavy weight, weighing within ounces of each other.
Styles Louvered, Raised Panel, Board and Batten Louvered, Raised Panel, Board and Batten Louvered, Raised Panel, Combination Louvered/Panel, Board and Batten, Bahama, and Custom Designs Louvered, Raised Panel, Combination, Board and Batten, Bahama
Tilt Rod Option No No Yes No
Operable No, Decorative Only Yes with Atlantic Hardware Only Yes with any suitable Hardware Yes with Atlantic Hardware Only
Operable Louvers Not Available Not Available Yes for all Louvered Shutters Not Available
Shapes 1/4" Round Arch 1/4" Round Arch 1/4" Round and Elliptical Arches 1/4" Round Arch
Cutouts No No Yes Yes
Architectural Detailing Light Moderate Maximum Moderate
Storm Approved No No Available Available
Bi folding Panels No No Available No
Warranty 2 Years 10 Years Paint
20 Years Shutter
10 Years Paint
Lifetime Shutter

15 Years Paint

Lifetime Shutter (residential )

20 Years Shutter (commercial )

The Architectural shutters are available in 40 standard colors with custom colors available at considerable extra charge.

LEGENDS Vinyl Shutters
Mid-America Vinyl Shutters

We have for sometime sold a great vinyl shutter from Mid-America Shutters in all of the popular designs and colors. This product has a hollow back and is at a very economical price point. The stock-size shutters are the least expensive. Custom sizes are only slightly less than our Legends Series.

The new LEGENDS vinyl shutter is an injection-molded product in all of the popular styles and colors plus it has a more accurate wood-grain finish, is 30% heavier, more rigid, and a lifetime-limited warranty. LEGENDS Board and Batten shutters are an extruded, heavy-vinyl product that has a closed backed. LEGENDS vinyl decorative shutters are truly a superior product that will now satisfy those that would like a heavier, stronger shutter with a true and accurate wood-grain finish.

Features
Authentic Wood Look OK Excellent
Board and Batten Solid Back No Yes
Mfg Process Injection Molding Injection Molding
Shutter Widths Can vary by as much as 3/8" No variation in specified width
Sizes Stock & Custom Sizes Custom Sizes
Construction Assembled parts are welded and/or stapled Most are one piece or ultrasonically welded (advanced welding process)
Strength Somewhat Flexible Greater Structural Integrity
Weight Lightweight 30% Heavier
Fasteners 1/4" 5/16"
Warranty 20 Years Lifetime
Colors 19 - Color X-Reference 14 - Color X-Reference
Arch Sizes May be slightly different than shutter panel width Arches and Panels are the same width.
Headers & Sunbursts Yes Yes - Provided by Mid America
Price Stock Sizes Least Expensive
Custom Sizes are only slightly less than Legends
Custom Sizes are slightly more expensive than our economy exterior vinyl shutters from Mid-America

Wood Shutters 

Our LEGENDS wood shutters continue to be the product of choice for the traditionalist that insists on a true exterior shutter that can be installed in operable configuration or permanently attached for a more economical installation. LEGENDS wood shutters are available in true louver (open back) false louver (closed back), raised panel, board and batten, and combination louvered and raised panel, Bahama, Bermuda, etc. Wooden shutters offer the best opportunity for special shapes such as arches, ¼ round, cutouts and even gable ends.

The acquisition cost for wood shutters is reasonable but one must consider finish and maintenance costs when purchasing.

We now have Western Red cedar as our most popular wood and also have the option, at extra cost, of Mahogany, Spanish Cedar and Cypress woods.  Pricing 

Exterior Shutters Price Comparison Free Crating & Shipping Guidelines

  • Order totals $25 or more
  • Shipped within the Continental US excluding Alaska and Hawaii.
  • Shutter heights less than 84".
Table 1: Shutter Price Comparison
Shutter Pair used in comparison
Louvered 15" width x 48" height
Online Pricing Link Finish Price per pair
STOCK & CUSTOM VINYL
Mid America Stock Vinyl Shutters $Pricing Color or Paintable
14-1/2 x 48
$29.84
Mid America Custom Vinyl Shutters $$ Pricing Color or Paintable
14-1/2 x 48
$69.15
Legends Vinyl Shutters $$ Pricing Color or Paintable
$67.84
CUSTOM COMPOSITE
Legends PolyLite Composite Shutters $$ Pricing Primed
14 x 47
$184.24
Legends Traditional Composite Shutters $$$$ Pricing Painted or Primed
$402.00
Atlantic Premium Classic Shutters $$$ Pricing Painted or Primed
$428.00
Atlantic Premium Architectural Shutters $$$$$ Pricing Painted or Primed
$528.00
CUSTOM WOOD
Legends Wood Shutters $$$ Pricing Unfinished
14 x 48
293.02
CUSTOM ALUMINUM
Legends Aluminum Shutters $$$$ Pricing Painted
362.20

The Final Word

Exterior shutters greatly improve the curb appeal of any home. They are one of the few improvements that return their full value when it’s time to sell, not to mention the enjoyment and pride you will feel every time you pull into your driveway.

AGI Group has developed the LEGENDS line of shutters to offer value pricing combined with great quality for maximum satisfaction for our customers. The LEGENDS line of shutters is exclusively available from AGI Group, Inc.

Now you should have a good idea of all the exterior window shutter products available on the market today. Keep in mind that all of these products will serve you well and you will be happy with your purchase if you take this information and apply it to your situation and needs.
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