Shutters Like Board And Batten And Vinyl Add Such Curb Appeal To Your Home

One popular finishing accent on a house exterior are Shutters. They are available in a variety of styles, some fully functional and others merely decorative. One of the most familiar varieties is the Board and Batten style. While this style is commonly seen on older homes, it is starting to appear on new construction as well. This style first appeared on barns and homes in New England, as well as on Spanish architecture in the Southwest. Originally made from wood, these are now available in a range of materials, including wood, composite board, and other man-made materials designed to resemble wood. This style of shutter consists of several vertical boards, either spaced or joined together, and a horizontal board, or batten, near the top and the bottom.

One common material used for these and other styles of Shutters is vinyl. It is fairly maintenance free, yet it can be constructed with the appearance of natural wood. Vinyl is used for a variety of styles, but the most common are those that are louvered, whether merely decorative or the functional type. Functional louvers are ideal for a home where privacy is desired without restricting ventilation, as the shutters can be closed with the louvers left open for air flow. In addition to these louvered styles, vinyl is commonly used for solid, raised panel shutters, as well as for combination styles, which are louvered on top and solid on the bottom half.

In addition to exterior styles, Interior Window Shutters are another common decorating choice. These shutters are available in a few common styles, but are most often louvered. Some have louvers that are quite wide (2 1/2 inches or more); these are referred to as plantation style. Those with narrower louvers (generally 1 1/4 inches) are known as traditional, or colonial, style. Some homeowners prefer interior shutters to cover the entire window, but it is not unusual to see cafe shutters, which offer privacy for just the lower half of the window.

While exterior Shutters are frequently made from a variety of materials, when used on a home's Interior Wood is the most common choice. Wood is the natural choice for inside, where holding up to weather is not an issue. However, if cost is an issue, vinyl provides a more frugal alternative to wood.

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Kendall

Posted 202 days ago

I recently had some board and batten shutters installed on my 1920s home. It complemented the architecture of the home just right. I painted them hunter green to match with my yellow siding and it just lit up the home. I am indeed very happy.

Martin

Posted 207 days ago

Wood shutters are nice, but I went with vinyl because it's just a little easier to maintain and it matches my vinyl siding on the exterior of my home. I was also able to get it in the same color of the siding.

Sydney

Posted 207 days ago

I live in N. Carolina and subjected to hurricanes every year. I can't imagine not having hurricane shutters on my windows and doors to help protect my home especially after Katrina.

Sherice

Posted 212 days ago

I wanted to be different, so instead of putting up curtains or blinds, I got some interior window shutters. It not only added a unique look, but acts as a great way to keep out the glaring sunlight and still keep my house cool. Yeah!

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