General Product Questions

Q:  Which shutter is best for my home?
A: Our Buyer's Guide will help you answer that question. The most common choice is based on the value of the property you purchase the shutters for. We have had customers with homes in the 50K to 200K seem to purchase the vinyl shutters. Customers with home values from 200K to 500K seem to feel comfortable with the LEGENDS wood, aluminum, composite and the Classic products.

Vinyl Shutter Questions

Q:  What is the difference between Mid-America and LEGENDS exterior vinyl shutters?
A: LEGENDS RIGID vinyl shutters offer you a stronger, more accurate wood grain finish, better warranty, thicker panel depths and solid, heavy duty construction and a lifetime warranty. These two shutter lines are comparably priced.
See Photo Comparisons

Q:  How are the vinyl shutters made?
A:  The vinyl shutters from Mid America are injection molded. They are one piece construction for the stock size products and the custom made shutters are assembled of a number of parts that are then cut to make a specific shutter panel. The parts are welded and/or stapled together to complete each panel.

The Legends RIGID Budget vinyl shutter is a one-piece, polymer-molded vinyl product and the Legends Rigid Select shutters are assembled using precision, heavy duty parts that are electrostatically welded.

Q:  Are the LEGENDS RIGID VINYL shutters operable?
A:  No They are not. Our LEGENDS Traditional composite shutters provide that option.

Q:  What is your delivery time on stock and custom vinyl exterior shutters?
A:  Mid-America stock vinyl shutters ship on average 2-3 business days, Custom Mid-America vinyl shutters ship on average in 4 or 5 business days. LEGENDS RIGID Budget Vinyl Shutters ship in 2-3 business days and Legends Rigid Select shutters ship in 3-5 business days. Rush delivery is available at extra cost for all Legend Vinyl shutters. Please allow extra time for delivery.

Q:  60 inches is a standard size for window. Why don't you offer this size in Mid-America stock shutters?
A:  The standard sizes are chosen from a computer model of orders. The model allows us to stock the most popular standard sizes at 30-day inventory levels. The 60" length is ordered only 2% of the time. 59-inch and 63-inch lengths are most popular which are available as stock shutters. I suggest you consider if 1/2" at the top and bottom will really make that much of a difference. I doubt you could tell it once the shutters are installed and you stand back to admire your new shutters.

Q:  On what types of surfaces can I install the exterior vinyl shutters?
A:  The decorative vinyl shutters can be installed on any surface used for construction of a building. The fasteners are provided for the shutters and a 1/4” drill will be the correct size for the Mid-America vinyl shutters and 1/4” drill bit for the LEGENDS RIGID VINYL shutters. The type of drill bit should be correct for the material the house is made of. A brick, concrete block, stucco on concrete will require a masonry-type drill bit and wood or vinyl will use a high speed bit.

Q:  Can I paint the vinyl exterior shutters?
A:  We offer a pre-primed vinyl in Mid-America vinyl decorative shutter that is ready to be painted when you receive it. All Legends Budget Rigid Vinyl shutters are all paintable. This is a great benefit when the day comes when you want to change the color of the trim and shutters. You can use any quality exterior paint for finishing the shutters. The paint can be an oil or water base. Legends Rigid Select shutters offers a paintable choice pre primed and ready to paint using any quality, exterior oil or water based paint.

Q:  If I order a colored vinyl shutter can I paint it a different color?
A:  The simple answer is Yes, if you have Legends Budget Rigid Vinyl shutter or a pre primed Rigid Select or paintable Mid America shutters.

Q:  How thick is the material used on your exterior vinyl shutters?
A: : The material varies in the Mid-America vinyl from 1/8” to 3/16”. The LEGENDS Rigid vinyl shutters are 3/16”-1/4” based on the structural requirements of a particular area of the shutter panel. The LEGENDS Rigid Vinyl shutters are roughly 12% heavier and considerably more rigid than the Mid-America vinyl shutters.

Q:  How thick are the vinyl shutter panels?
A: The Mid-America vinyl shutter panel is 7/8” deep. The LEGENDS RIGID VINYL shutters are 1” deep..

Q:  Can I use a different color for trim accessories than for the shutter panels?
A:  This is a subjective question. I have to say the beauty is in the eye of the beholder. We have many customers that have used a different color for the trim accessories than for the panels. See our Photo Gallery.

Q:  Should I order surface or siding mount vinyl decorative accessories?
A:  You should order siding mount ONLY if the accessories will be installed BEFORE vinyl or on wood siding. The vinyl-mount accessories have a trim section that interfaces with the siding during the siding installation. If you already have vinyl or wood siding installed, the surface mount is the correct choice.

Q:  Do you weld the parts together for the vinyl exterior shutters and accessories?
A: Yes, we use a vinyl welding system to insure a durable and stable assembly for all Mid America vinyl products.

Q:  Are your vinyl shutters opened back, a.k.a, 2 sided?
A: The process of manufacturing vinyl shutters leaves the back of the shutters open or hollow. Let’s face it the vinyl shutters are an economical product that provides a beautiful addition to any home. If you want a solid panel shutter we suggest you consider the Legends and Mid America products we offer on our website www.decorativeshutters.com           

Q:  The height and width of the vinyl shutter panels are exact sizes as ordered?
A:  Mid-America vinyl shutters are injection molded and there can be differences in dimension generally limited to 1/4". However there could be as much as 1/2" dimensional difference in the length of a Mid America vinyl shutter panel. The LEGENDS RIGID Vinyl shutters are the exact width ordered with minor differences in the ordered length. These minor differences, for most situations, have little or no visual effect when viewed from a normal viewing distance and are simply normal production variances.

Q:  Do the vinyl shutters have a wood grain finish?
A: Yes, Mid-America shutters have a wood grained finish. The LEGENDS RIGID Vinyl shutters have a much deeper, true wood grain finish.

Q: Can bugs nest in the louvered vinyl shutters?
A: LEGENDS Budget RIGID Vinyl shutters are a solid one piece shutter with no openings for insects to go thru. The Mid America Vinyl louver shutter has openings between the louvers that insects could get thru. If The Legends Rigid Vinyl shutters are installed on a flat surface where the sides of the panel are flush on the surface then it would be almost impossible for any insect to get behind a shutter panel and nest.

Q: Do you have a non-flimsy vinyl shutter?
A: Vinyl shutters are intended to be an economical but attractive addition to your home. They gain strength from the surface they are attached to. The Legends brand of vinyl shutters are the most rigid vinyl shutter we know of. The Legends Rigid Vinyl shutters are constructed from thicker vinyl and weigh approximately 12% more to obtain this extra rigidity.

PolyLite Composite Shutter Questions

Q: From what material are PolyLite Shutters made?
A: PolyLite Shutters are made using rigid polyurethane foam specially formulated for exterior use.

Q: What is the warranty of PolyLite Shutters?
A: The limited warranty on PolyLite Shutters is 10 years. If painted on the face and sides, we expect this product to last twice the years of the warranty period.

Q: Are the PolyLite Shutters paintable?
A: Yes. PolyLite Shutters are paintable. Each PolyLite shutter panel is primed on the face and sides for easy painting. You must use a quality paint product by Sherwin Williams, Glidden, Duron, or any other brand name product. The manufacturer will further warranty its products to coincide with the paint manufacturer's warranty provided that the shutters are properly coated with the above referenced products.

Many people use the same paint and color used when painting trim around there properties. You can paint the back of your PolyLite Shutters without any special preparation. The finish won't be as nice as the front but that side can't be easily seen.

Q: Are PolyLite Shutters damaged by long term exposure to the sun?
A: The PolyLite products are formulated for exterior in-the-sun use. Another thing to remember is once the pre-primed panels have been painted that adds another layer of protection from heat, cold and sun exposure.

Q: Can insects damage the PolyLite Shutters?
A: PolyLite Shutters are insect proof. If you choose to surface mount your PolyLite Shutters, insects will not be able to nest behind the panels as they are a solid product with no voids in the back to attract those critters.

Q: Are PolyLite Shutters easy to install?
A: PolyLite Shutters can be installed very easily. First, you can simply mount them flush on the wall beside each window using optional mounting screws. If you desire a real traditional look, order the optional hinge kit with holdbacks and the shutter panels will actually be operable. Mounting Hardware

Q: Can PolyLite Shutters warp or rot?
A: PolyLite Shutters will not rot, warp, are light weight, and carry a 10-year limited warranty.

Q: Will the color fade on my shutters?
A: The paint quality and color will determine how long the color will last. You will probably repaint the shutters as often as you repaint your trim.

Q: What widths are available?
A: The PolyLite Shutters are currently available in 14" and 18" widths. As significant demand for additional widths occur, we will certainly respond positively.

Composite Shutter Questions

Q:  What are the composite shutters made of and how are they assembled?
A:  Composite shutters are produced using a number of materials mixed in most cases with a resin, wood, fiberglass, plastics, recycled materials etc. The secret is the material once produced is suitable for exterior applications. The LEGENDS shutters are made from proprietary materials mixed with resin binders shaped into actual wood shapes (profiles). These shapes are cut, milled and assembled using waterproof adhesives into your shutters.

The Classic is also produced from a proprietary composite (MDF) type material that is milled, cut and assembled from a limited group of profiles. This limits the styles and sizes that are available. The louvered Classic shutters are all false louver(closed back) styles.

The Architectural shutters are a combination of FRP(fiberglass and resin) louvers and a composite material. The combination of fiberglass louvers and composite rails and styles allows for a great variety of designs and shapes.

Q:  Once I place my order how long before it is shipped.
A:  These products are custom built to your needs. Production times will vary during the year as demand ebbs and flows. Plan on 4-8 weeks for your order to ship plus actual delivery by the carrier of 3-6 days.

Q: I would like a custom color for my shutters?
 The Legends shutters are available in custom colors for an $250.00 up charge. The Classic and Architectural shutters can also be custom painted with an up charge of $500.00.

Q:  Do your composite shutters come in an operational- louver style?
 The Legends Traditional louvered shutters are available with operable louvers and a tilt rod for a small extra charge. The first Colonial-style shutters were always built with operable (tilt able) louvers. This truly is the real traditional shutter when built with operational louvers.

Q:  What is the difference between Faux louvers and a True louver shutter?
 The simple answer is Faux louvers are fully backed. You cannot see between the louvers. The True louver has no backing and you can see between the louvers.

Q: Can I have a faux tilt rod on my louvered shutters?
A:  The Legends Traditional louvered shutters are available with an optional tilt rod for a small up charge.

Q:  What finish do you use on the composite shutters?
A:  All of our composite shutters use a high quality 2-part paint provided by Sherwin Williams. The same paint is commonly used in the auto industry and has a 10 year warranty. The Legends Traditional will soon switch to water based finish paint to eliminate the need to use the solvents and thinners that are not good for our environment. We are working toward a true “green” Legends shutter product.

Q:  What is the warranty of your composite shutters?
  The Legends shutters have a 10-year paint warranty and a lifetime shutter warranty.

The Classic shutters carry a 10-year paint and shutter panel warranty. The Architectural Shutters have 10-year finish and 10-year panel warranty.

Wood Shutter Questions

Q:  Why don’t you offer the LEGENDS wood shutters in a painted finish?
A:  LEGENDS wood shutters are a unique product in that many of our customers prefer to finish the shutters to a specific color. I suppose they enjoy that part of installing truly wood shutters. So due to a very limited demand a dedicated paint line was never necessary. We can finish your wood shutters at extra cost and extra time for production. Ask your sales person for the details.

Q:  What sizes can you make LEGENDS wood shutters?
A:  Wood shutters are produced from individual wood profiles. This allows for the wood shutters to be produced in virtually any size or shape as the parts are assembled after being cut.

Q:  What is the expected life of LEGENDS wood shutters?
A:  LEGEND wood shutters when properly primed and painted they should last for 10 years or more. We have installations that are over 20 years old and still look great. Of course there is always that situation that causes premature deterioration. This is generally found in VERY damp situations where mildew was allowed to build up over long periods of time.

Aluminum Shutter Questions

Q:  Do the LEGENDS aluminum shutters have a wood grain finish?
A:  The LEGENDS aluminum, Traditional, Classic and the Architectural shutters all have a smooth finish. These same products have been approved for many Architecturally sensitive areas and they do look great.

Q:  The Legends Aluminum shutters are assembled how?
A:  The Legends aluminum shutters are assembled by mitering the styles and rails and then welding them together and polishing the miters to a smooth finish. We do not simply overlap the styles and rails and pop rivet the parts together.
The shutters are then powder coated using the best quality powder that is scratch and weather resistant.
These quality shutters are often mistaken for a wood or fiberglass shutter. The Legends aluminum shutter has been installed in 1000’s of instances where absolute Architectural integrity was required. Our Legends aluminum shutter is also available in a storm rated version that not only looks great but will protect you from storms as well.

Procedure Questions

Q:  Do you ship internationally?
A:  Yes. We ship all over the world. International Orders

Q:  Why was my credit card charged before my order was shipped?
A:  We process 1,000's of orders each week and the system requires that payment be made before the process of picking, packing and ultimately shipping occurs. We tried a system that allowed us to charge at the time we shipped and spent an exorbitant amount of time with cards that were not approved. This tied up the admin folks and forced some stock and some custom-made orders to be unpacked and restocked. The additional personnel and time required to perform the extra work was astounding.

Our products are not prepackaged like a stereo or pantyhose that is a single SKU that can be simply returned to stock. We have customers that order a combination of sizes, colors and styles that are individually pulled from stock or custom made and possibly shipped from a different warehouse added to the order and ultimately packed for shipping. There are 70 plus that perform this work. We generally ship stock orders very promptly. At times, the system is stressed by large numbers of orders and a slow down in receiving raw materials due to weather and the fact our vinyl is a petroleum based product. To avoid a 20% increase in overhead and higher prices for you, we have chosen the easiest and most efficient system for processing your order and charging your card.