21st Guru

Traditional wooden shutters were the only shutters available for a long period of time.  Now, fortunately, vinyl and other styles of shutters have replaced traditional wood house shutters.  The issue that has wooden shutters quickly becoming a thing of the past is that they need to be maintained. Most people today are open to a way to eliminate maintenance around the house.  Wooden shutters require repainting or re-staining regularly, even if they are protected from the weather. You have other options.

Exterior house shutters are usually only used for ornamental purposes and are never closed, unlike in centuries past when shutters were developed.  Shutters used to be a barrier against the elements years ago, before double paned glass.  Today, shutters are never actually used, but do add a finished look to any home. 

As we slowly replace our wooden shutters, we can say hello to the following types of shutters:

Vinyl Shutters

Made of the same material as vinly exterior siding, vinyl house shutters require no regular repairs and will not rot or fall apart. The only drawback with vinyl shutters as opposed to wood is that they have a tendency to ding if anything is tossed at the windows. The problem is, they are less durable than wood when it comes to rocks, hail or other debris.  Many property owners are willing to overlook this because vinyl shutters improve your house’s appearance, are affordable and maintenance free. 

Composite Shutters

These are more economical shutters which use composite woods instead of solid woods.  The benefit to composite shutters is that they are unaffected by termites and rot and will last a lifetime.  They are also pre-stained and do not require upkeep like solid wood, yet appear the same as real wood.  Composite Shutters are a smart option for anyone looking into maintenance free shutters. 

Fiberglass shutters

Fiberglass is tough and hard-wearing.  Fiberglass is an effective choice for exterior house shutters and is commonly used in parts of the country where the shutters are made to be closed, such as areas that are routinely hit by hurricanes.  Fiberglass shutters do not come cheap, but they are solid, maintenance free and about bullet-proof.  They are the perfect choice for anyone who owns a home in an area affected by hurricanes as they can take a battering. 

Aluminum shutters

Like vinyl shutters, aluminum shutters are a complement to aluminum siding and are a popular option for homeowners. While vinyl became all the rage a generation ago, knocking aluminum off the radar, aluminum shutters made a comeback and are currently very popular for people who want attractive and maintenance free shutters that are sturdy as well. 

Whether you are purchasing shutters for the exterior or interior of your house, you are likely to find a wide variety of maintenance free shutters for your home.  The kind of house shutters that you choose will depend upon finances as well as how you plan to use the shutters.  Wood House Shutters are used for everything from blocking the wind and rain from a hurricane to impressing the neighbors.  Find the ones that are right for house.