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Exterior Window Shutters Buyers' Guide


Philip Tyson, CEO
AGI Group, Inc

"Become Informed!

 

We offer exterior shutters for every budget and we're constantly in search of the latest innovative products.

 

This guide will provide 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.

 

AGI Group, Inc. 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

AGI Group, in response to numerous requests from you our valued customers, has improved our LEGENDS line of exterior decorative shutters.

 

There have been a number of suggestions for improving our vinyl shutters, such as a one-piece shutter, shutters that are the size ordered, more styles, shutters that can be easily painted if desired, a more rigid shutter and most important was to actually have a shutter panel with an integrated arch.

 

We worked hard to answer your requests and I am happy to say our new RIGID VINYL SHUTTERS answer many of those needs. Check the new Legends Framed Board and Batten Style.

 

 

Comparison See Photo Comparisons

 

AGI Group, in response to numerous requests from you our valued customers, has improved our LEGENDS line of exterior decorative shutters.

 

There have been a number of suggestions for improving our vinyl shutters, such as a one-piece shutter, shutters that are the size they ordered, shutters that can be easily painted if desired and most important was to actually have a rigid shutter product.

 

We worked hard to answer your requests and I am happy to say our new RIGID VINYL SHUTTERS answer many of those needs.

 

Features
Mid-America
Legends BUDGET
Legends SELECT
Construction

Assembled parts are welded and/or stapled

Comparison See Photo Comparison

Rigid, one-piece construction

Comparison See Photo Comparison

Precision, rigid vinyl parts are assembled, welded and/or stapled

Comparison See Photo Comparison

Authentic Wood Look Light Wood Graining Light Wood Graining The best we've seen
Stile Sizeshelp One Size One Size Changes with size of shutter - feature of a true architecturally accurate shutter
Strength Somewhat Flexible, 1" panel depth Rigid, thick wall, full 1" panel depth Rigid, thick wall, full 1" panel depth

Weight - Louver

Raised Panel

Board & Batten

.46 Oz. per Sq. Ft.

.62 Oz. per Sq. Ft.

.75 Oz. per Sq. Ft.

.45 Oz. per Sq. Ft.

.58 Oz. per Sq. Ft.

Not Available in BNB

A whopping .82 Oz. per Sq. Ft.

.75 Oz. per Sq. Ft.

.75 Oz. per Sq. Ft.

Colors 19 colors and paintable 6 of the most popular colors - ALL Colors are Paintable. 15 popular colors plus paintable. Paint the paintable shutter only
Style Open Louvered, Raised Panel and Board and Batten Closed Louver and Raised Panel Open Louvered, Integrated Arch Louver, Raised Panel, Framed & Unframed Board & Batten
Sizes Stock & Custom Stock Only Custom Sizes & Some Stock Sizes
Consistency of Shutter Widths Can vary by as much as 3/8" Accurate to 1/8" Accurate to 1/8"
Consistency of Shutter Heights Can vary by as much as 1/2" Accurate to 1/8" Accurate to 1/8"
Louvers Open Louvers Closed louver, solid (you cannot see through between louvers) Open-louver with true traditional look of wood
Integrated Arches Lazy Arch Board and Batten Not Available Arches are integrated as one piece and are available in all styles and sizes.
Arch Sizes Separate arch tops may be slightly different than shutter panel width Separate arch tops and panels are the same width Arches are integrated as one piece and are available in all styles and sizes.
Headers & Sunbursts Yes No

No

Shipping Costs * Free UPS/FedEx Freight when order totals over $99 * Free UPS/FedEx Freight * Free UPS/FedEx Freight
Ships Within Stock: 1 to 2 business days Custom: 8 to 10 business days 1to 2 business days 3 to 5 business days
Warranty 40 Years Lifetime Lifetime
Price Example using Louvered Shutters Stock-size is the least expensive shutter available.

Stock
14-/1/2"w x 48"h = $32.22

Custom
14-/1/2w x 48h = $74.68

Stock

14-1/2"w x 47"h = $47.25

Stock
14-1/2"w x 47"h = $48.20

Custom
14-1/2"w x 48"h = $74.88

 

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"
32.22
Mid America Custom Vinyl Shutters $$ Pricing Color or Paintable
14-1/2" x 48"
$74.68
Legends Stock SELECT Vinyl Shutters $ Pricing Color or Paintable

14-1/2" x 47"

$48.20

Legends Custom SELECT Vinyl Shutters $$ Pricing Color or Paintable

14-1/2" x 48"

$74.88

Legends Stock BUDGET Vinyl Shutters $ Pricing All Colors Paintable

14-1/2" x 47"

$47.25

CUSTOM COMPOSITE
Legends PolyLite Composite Shutters $$ Pricing Primed
14" x 47"
$184.24
Legends Traditional Composite Shutters $$$$ Pricing Painted or Primed
$426.00
Atlantic Premium Classic Shutters $$$ Pricing Painted or Primed
$356.00
Atlantic Premium Architectural Shutters $$$$$ Pricing Painted or Primed
$554.00
CUSTOM WOOD
Legends Wood Shutters $$$ Pricing Unfinished
14" x 48"
236.13
CUSTOM ALUMINUM
Legends Aluminum Shutters $$$$ Pricing Painted w

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.
There is a proportional relationship of stile width and the overall width of a shutter panel.

The Rigid Select maintains this proportional difference as panel widths change. IE a narrow 7" wide panel has a narrower stile than a 14-1/2" panel providing the proper traditional size relation ship. This attention to detail insures you will have a true architecturally accurate shutter as only Legends Rigid Select shutters provides.