Outdoor Shutters

Outdoor shutters (also known as blinds or exterior shutters) are solid, hinged window covers that open and close on the exterior side of the window, as opposed to indoor ones that perform the same function but are situated on the interior side. Ones that do not open at all but merely used for imparting a traditional look as termed decorative (as opposed to operable).

There are a number of reasons to use these devices. When closed they help block more light than possible with curtains or indoor shades alone. They also protect the glass of the window from projectiles or very strong winds. Historically when there was no air conditioning and even now in areas without modern amenities, shades with louvers (or slats in common parlance) permitted the passage of cooling breezes while at the same time blocking sunlight and obscuring the view into the home.

As one might expect, each of these functions is optimally carried out by a different kinds. Best for protecting against storm windows and rain are ones constructed differently from one that is used to cool down a house by letting breezes in. Therefore, the style of the shade is one parameter to consider during installation.

Most companies only vend a few materials or a few styles. One company Legends sells its products in vinyl, aluminum and wood, which is unusual. Other companies have more focused selection, for example, Mid-America is famous for its vinyl colonial blinds. Look for fiberglass from Atlantic Premium. Wood selections are found at Legends, StyleCraft, Shutterland, and Sunbelt Shutters to name just a few. Contact the company and let them know the dimensions of your windows to begin the process of installation. In this section we list a few of the stand-out sources, some of these are not stores!

1. DIY Outdoor Shutters - they hand-make custom orders. Check out their link for some beautiful exmaples that stand out from the generic stock. Their preferred material is Spanish Cedar (but also Mahogany) which they say is better than regular cedar. The wood is specially treated to last against rot and decay.
2. Etsy Outdoor Shutters - a selection of used but also some handmade. There are some real gems if you are into vintage and antiques but be forewarned that some of the items are merely labeled with keywords and instead are not the right items.
3. Estate Millwork Exterior Shutters
- although they hand-make these products, they offer several pages of examples of styles so customers have an idea of what to get.
4. Allison Outdoor Shutters - unique hand-made products that carry a "punched" metal piece. The metal piece carries a design that is made by punching out small holes. These really stand out from the standard stock but the function seems more like a partial screen for the window rather than a full-on protection against wind and rain.

The most common styles for letting air pass through are called louver or louvered. The term louver refers to the thin fixed or rotatable horizontal slats arranged from the top to the bottom. Of the louvers, there are traditional or colonial shutters, and plantation. Both these styles open like books, with hinges on the right and left ends. The traditional ones have thinner louvers, and are thinner than the plantations. The plantations have wider louvers and are constructed from thicker panels for added protection. There are also Bahama or Bermuda louvers which open like hatches with a single hinge edge along the top. The single hinge edge reduces the directions of opening and provides some added protection against the elements.

Louvered or louver come in a number of options. The main ones you need to pin down correctly are the dimensions. Talk directly to the store to give them the dimensions of your window. They will make sure to give you the right-size to cover the window properly. It will need to be a bit larger to accommodate hinges, but fit together well so that when the two sides close, they will be flush against each other.

For people who do not wish to have aeration, there are three choices: board and batten versus the raised panel. Both these styles are characterized by completely sealed paneling. Although they are not air-tight, their primary function to add protection to the glass windows. Therefore these are most popular in areas which experience strong winds and torrential storms.

Besides the style, the home owner must also pick out the material of construction. In the U.S. there are primarily 5 kinds of materials in heavy use. These are vinyl, aluminum, wood, composite wood, and fiberglass. Vinyl is durable, cheap, but less appealing in terms of aesthetics. Aluminum is tough and low-priced but also suffers from aesthetic problems. Most people prefer wood or composite woods to reflect a very traditional look. The problem with wood is that they are more susceptible to warping and weathering. However, in recent years, durable fiberglass has been made to imitate wood to good effect. High quality fiberglass is a bit more expensive but looks great and is not susceptible to the same problems of shape changes or mold and mildew commonly suffered by woods.

When the exterior shutters are opened, the interior face is exposed to the outside. Some people like to put decorations on the interior, usually simple colors or patterns, which reduces the plainness. In the example below the brown base color is brightened by the addition of colorful, flower-like patterns around the border and in the center.

There are a number of accessories available for decorating or perhaps making them more functional. An anti-vibration bracket cuts down on clattering due to forcing by wind. Shutter hooks with eyes help lock the open or closed state. A metal pull-ring makes it easier for opening, at the same time adding a period touch depending on metal used.