Which shutter style is best for your home?

Depending on where you live, you may be surrounded by a neighborhoods oozing historical elegance or contemporary style. Whatever the architectural design of your home, there's a shutter that will complement its exterior and add curb appeal. Here's a closer look at the most popular shutter styles:

Louvered Shutters:  The most popular of all exterior shutters, these first gained popularity in the late 1700s. The shutter’s construction consists of a sturdy wooden frame with many smaller slats set within the frame. Some shutters have adjustable louvers, so you can control the flow of air when they’re closed. The clean lines of this style make it the go-to shutter for just about any type of dwelling, from traditional Colonial to contemporary Ranch-style homes.

Board and Batten Shutters: These rustic shutters were first used in the 18th century, and reflect the style of the American frontier. The construction is simple...several vertical boards (hence the name) are held together by two or three shorter horizontal boards (you guessed it - "battens"). Board and Batten shutters work well on historic homes, from rural cottages to Northeastern brownstones and Tudors, and are also great for Southwest desert architecture.

Raised Panel Shutters:  These outdoor shutters became popular during the 18th century, and are Board and Batten’s more refined cousin. Each shutter is made up of a flat panel with two or three rectangular panels carved into its surface. This style of shutter was made popular in Southern architecture (think plantation homes), but works well with manor homes in any region, traditional Colonial homes and quaint craft cottages.

Bahama Shutters: My personal favorite, Bahamas are different from other shutters because they’re hinged on the top, rather than the sides. They consist of one louvered panel that is held out at an angle from the bottom.  Bahama shutters look great on contemporary homes (like the concrete block stucco structures we have everywhere here in Florida), but are a great fit for most seaside homes, regardless of architectural style. If you're interested in learning more about Bahama shutters, check out my earlier post.

Whether you choose to be historically accurate, or to embrace your own unique tastes, exterior shutters are a great finishing touch to any style of architecture!