Choosing the Best Exterior Shutters for your Fancy House: Expert Tips

Published: October 27, 2020

By the Estate Millwork Design Team | Craftsmen since 1997

Shutters offer a simple method to redesign the vibe of your home's exterior, including a sprinkle of style and color to your windows.

Remember that shutters are not simply window treatments; exterior shutters protect your windows and privacy. During the summer months, exterior shutters are an incredible method to control the amount of light that in your room, and during the winter exterior shutters provide great insulation from the outside elements.

When considering exterior shutters you'll want to foremost take design and color into consideration so that they look good on your home and coincide with the décor. Since exterior shutters are on the outside they will need to be able to withstand the constant exposure to the elements.

Exterior Wooden Shutters

Classic wooden shutters are the top choice when it comes to exterior shutters. Exterior wood shutters are made from solid natural woods with beautiful grain patterns that can be accentuated with finishing. Custom exterior shutters can be manufactured in a number of sizes, style and colors to fit your exact needs and exterior décor.

Exterior shutters are what can be considered the number one home improvement option when it comes to your home. Your shutters are one of the first things those passing by see when they look at your home. Adding or replacing outdated, dilapidated, or vinyl shutters with premium hardwood exterior shutters will give your home a great visual boost and increase its resale value.

Which Shutters Should I use on My House?

Louvered Shutters

Louvered shutters consist of sets of angled slats know as louvers that allow light and air to pass through, these are probably the most commonly seen shutters. Louvered shutters are best suited for Victorian, Colonial, Georgian, Cape Cod and Ranch homes.

Raised and Flat Panel Shutters

Paneled shutters, either raised panel or flat panel shutters consist of a panel or panels. These shutters have a low profile and blend well with almost any style of home such as Cape Cod, Colonial, Ranch, Victorian, Georgian among others.

Bahama Shutters

Bahama shutters or sometimes known as Bermuda shutter are like louvered shutters but are made to hung so they open at the bottom instead of in the middle. Bahama shutters are more often seen in tropical climates where extra protection from tropical weather is needed, there types of homes can consist of Cape Cod, Cottage, and Ranch.

Board & Batten Shutters

Board and Batten shutters or sometimes known as BnB shutters are more of an old world or rustic type of shutter with a simple construction. These shutters consist of two to four boards held together by thinner cross piece. Since these shutters have such a unique look they go best with Mediterranean, Cape Code and Ranch homes.

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Choosing the Right Wood Shutters for Your Home

Selecting exterior wood shutters involves balancing aesthetics, durability, and climate suitability. Homeowners in coastal regions often gravitate toward Spanish Cedar or Cypress for their natural resistance to moisture, decay, and insect damage. In northern climates, Western Red Cedar and White Oak provide excellent dimensional stability through freeze-thaw cycles.

Proper installation is just as important as material selection. Functional shutters should be mounted with stainless-steel or galvanized hardware to prevent corrosion staining on the wood or siding. Each shutter panel should be sized to cover exactly half the window opening when closed, creating a tight, weather-resistant seal. Estate Millwork builds every shutter to your exact window measurements, ensuring a precise fit without field modifications.

Maintenance requirements vary by species and finish. Unfinished cedar will weather to a silver-gray patina over several years, which many homeowners find attractive. If you prefer a painted finish, a high-quality exterior primer followed by two coats of acrylic latex paint will protect the wood for eight to ten years before recoating. Stained shutters should be refreshed every three to five years depending on sun exposure. Regardless of finish, periodic inspection of shutter hardware and tightening of mounting screws will keep your shutters operating smoothly for decades.

Ready to design your own custom wood shutters? Estate Millwork offers a wide range of styles and wood species, all crafted in our Pennsylvania workshop using traditional mortise-and-tenon joinery.

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