Shutters can add curb appeal to your home, but only when they meet specific dimensions such as size, style and mounting method. Shutters that do not function will look at best odd and at worst completely disgraceful.
Visual Appeal
Window shutters can have an enormous impact on the curb appeal of your home. Window shutters offer the ideal way to elevate its appearance without spending thousands of dollars on painting its exterior walls.
Before painting the entire house in one shade of shutter color, be sure to test a sample on a small area first. Many shades intensify in sunlight; therefore, it is crucial that you be happy with your color selection prior to moving forward.
Select shutter styles that complement the style of your house, such as board and batten shutters for cottage-style homes and mission or Spanish style houses benefitting from plantation-style shutters. Aiming your shutter selection at windows that complement their style can look awkward; look around your neighborhood for homes sporting shutters that fit their architecture well as they could provide inspiration for your project.
Insulation
Energy costs continue to skyrocket, making insulation of your home an important topic of discussion. Shutters offer another layer of insulation.
Shutters feature tight-fitting frames that seal tightly around windows to reduce how much warm air escapes, saving money on energy bills and decreasing your carbon footprint. Furthermore, their tight seal can prevent cold drafts while helping regulate interior temperatures; making shutters a smart solution for homes in climates prone to extreme weather conditions.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that non-functional shutters (those nailed into place or having had their hardware removed) do not offer much insulation value as they are designed with only an illusion of functionality in mind and cannot move. Wood shutters do not provide as much insulating value compared to faux wood because their cellular structure differs. For optimal insulation value and easy maintenance in humid areas, composite or Polysatin shutters may provide better results.
Noise Reduction
Shutters offer an effective sound barrier that can benefit those living in urban settings or near busy roads, making bespoke wooden shutters one of the prime choices for improving both sleep patterns and quality of life. This is one reason why homeowners choose bespoke wooden shutters when renovating or purchasing homes in these locations.
Different materials possess distinct properties that influence their noise reduction capabilities. Craftwood MDF’s thick coverage makes it particularly effective at blocking out road noise; faux wood and timber plantation shutters may also prove effective solutions.
Your shutters can further improve their noise-blocking abilities by opting for hidden tilt rod upgrades, which tuck the tilt rod behind the louvers so as to be hidden from within the room. Furthermore, you can customize their hinge color to complement other hardware in the room and enhance their aesthetic value even more. However, keep in mind that not all window frames can accommodate shutters and not every type of shutter fits every house style perfectly.
Protection from the Elements
Shutters provide protection for windows during storms or other inclement weather. They also provide privacy by closing off access for prying eyes, as well as energy efficiency benefits – helping your house remain warmer during wintertime and cooler in summertime.
If you opt for shutters in your home, make sure they are functional and the size appropriate for each window. They should fit smoothly without gaps or looseness and be installed so as to appear like part of an integrated design rather than add-ons.
Shutters should generally match the front door or trim of the house; however, this doesn’t have to be the case; lighter shades could actually make your home appear larger! When selecting shutter colors, take your swatches outside for sunlight testing as this can impact their look further.