If you are looking for a way to spruce up your home, exterior window shutters should top your list. For decades, homeowners have used shutters for both decorative and functional purposes in home improvement.
This window treatment has a rich history going back to the earliest civilizations. The modern window shutter systems date back to the American colonial architecture. What started as a standard in the south soon spread across from coast to coast. Among the many shutter systems on the market, wooden shutters are the most popular for many reasons.
Wooden Shutters: Blending Function and Aesthetics
Wooden plantation shutters were popular in the tropics but you will now find wooden shutters in many other styles across the country. Here are some of the advantages of wooden exterior shutters:
- Classic appeal: Hardwoods have a timeless and classic appeal that gives your home an aristocratic look. If you want to add a touch of style to your home, wood shutters are the best option.
- Versatile designs: You can choose from a wide variety of shutter systems, including louver, raised panel, Board-and-batten shutters, plantation shutters, cut-out design shutters, among others.
- Protection: Hardwoods used to make shutters are durable and sturdy to provide enough protection against storms.
- Customization: You can easily customize wood window shutters to suit your home’s exterior décor.
If you want to give your home that unique and stylish look, exterior wood shutters are the way to go. You can find many styles, colors, designs to suit your home’s architectural design.
Choosing Quality Exterior Wood Shutters
Due to the popularity of wood shutters in building and home remodeling, many manufacturers have launched patented and branded products on the market. It is not easy to choose from this wide range of shutters.
However, you can consider the following factors to find the best quality wood shutter system for your home.
1. Type of Wood
Wood shutters come from different species of trees and this makes all the difference. You will find all products labeled as hardwood shutters but it is important to understand the different types of wood used.
Basswood is the most common species used for shutter manufacturer and also the best. It is durable, aesthetically appealing, easy to customize and lightweight. Unlike other hardwoods, this wood species is easy to work with and this makes it one of the most popular in furniture manufacturing.
Other wood species you should consider include cedar which is dimensionally stable and thus resistant to warping and twisting. It contains naturally occurring oil to repel bugs, moisture, and decay. You can between rough-surface cedar and smooth planed.
Redwood and Cypress are also great options for wooden window shutters as they are low-maintenance, beautiful, resistant to bugs, decay, and moisture.
While Oakwood is also used in shutter manufacturing, it is bulky and might lead to easy damage to your shutter hardware. It is also not easy to customize Oakwood shutters.
Cypress is more common in the East while cedar is available in the West. The availability of the wood species and cost might thus vary depending on your location.
2. Check The Shutter Hardware
A complete shutter comes with panels, hardware and an installation manual. Most buyers only look at the panels and forget to assess the hardware. A good quality shutter system should have equally dependable hardware.
Make sure all the accessories including bolts, nuts, shutter clips, fasteners, shutter dogs, shutter locks, shutter hinges, adjustable arms, brackets, among others are made of high-quality materials. While your wooden shutters might be the best quality on the market, they will not function optimally if you don’t use the best hardware for installation.
The best shutter hardware should be weather resistant and easily customizable. You should ask the sales representatives whether the hardware is weather treated to prevent damage due to exposure. You should also confirm if the warranty covers these accessories.
3. Ask For Warranty/ Satisfaction Guarantee
Is the shutter company ready to back their products with a warranty or any guarantees? This is an important consideration when shopping for home improvement systems or products.
A reputable brand will offer warranty and satisfaction guarantees for their products. This shows they have confidence with their products and you’ll have peace of mind buying and installing such shutters.
4. Look for Shutter Samples
Before ordering any shutters online, take the time to look for a sample. Most online sellers have local distributors and you can visit the store to check out the item.
Look at the dimensions of the shutter systems, the quality of materials, finishing, the strength of joints and other important features. Reviewing a sample gives you an idea of the actual shutters you will get for your windows.
You should also check whether the manufacturer has used rabbeted stiles to prevent light entry. This is important if the main purpose of the shutters is light control in your home.
5. Reliability of the Manufacturer
When shopping for window shutters, you should not compromise on the manufacturer. The company behind the product makes all the difference.
As such, always go for a well-renowned company with the expertise, experience, and resources to manufacture high-quality items. Look for reviews and testimonials from other homeowners to identify a dependable shutter making company.
6. Proper Louver Tension
How do you know the louver shutter system will stay in place? Don’t take this for granted and instead ask the dealer if there are any guarantees. Some manufacturers install tension screws on the sides of shutter panels to keep them in place for their lifetime.
7. Cutting-Edge Technology
Some shutter companies now leverage the latest technology in their shutter systems. These include motorized controls, hidden tilt rods, shutter pulls, shutter locks, and hidden hinges, to mention a few. These not only improve functionality but the overall quality of the shutter.
Final Thoughts
If you are on the market for the best quality exterior wood shutters,these tips should help you make the right choice. Take time to compare different products on the market, check samples at the local dealers, and find as much as you can about the specific product and the manufacturer. This is the best way to buy high-quality shutters to spruce up your home.
