Exterior shutters for a home can protect windows in situations of a storm or high winds and can also add some decoration to the home's exterior, breaking up the look of a long wall and adding size to smaller windows. Shutters work with just about any style of home, as they're available in a wide range of materials and colours. If you're thinking of having shutters added to your home's exterior, note a few misconceptions you might have about these pieces.
Shutters and high winds
One common misconception about exterior shutters is that they need to be closed during a storm so they won't get damaged. Another misconceptions is that they will always flap and hit the side of the house if not closed on a windy day. This isn't true, as high-quality shutters should be made with strong hinges that don't allow the shutters to be moved with every breeze. They will also have brackets and holders that keep them in place during storms.
Inoperable or decorative shutters are installed if you just want the look of shutters without ever actually closing them; these are drilled right into the home's exterior, so they should also never flap around or come loose. If you do have shutters that flap around in storms, you might need to just upgrade to something of higher quality and with a better installation method.
Shutters need lots of maintenance
Wood shutters may need consistent repainting and a fresh coat of sealant over time, but you can opt for vinyl shutters with a wood grain for the look of wood shutters without the maintenance and upkeep. These won't rot, rust, peel, chip or otherwise get damaged even in heavy storms. They can provide your windows with added protection against heavy rains and hail when needed.
Shutters can only be installed on certain materials
Shutters can typically be installed on any type of construction material, including brick, aluminium siding, concrete cladding and the like. The screws and fasteners used to connect shutters to the home are typically installed right to the home's framework using specialty drill bits and other such tools, so the shutters stay securely in place, as noted. Don't assume that your home's exterior building materials mean that you cannot have shutters installed, but talk to a contractor about your options for exterior shutters, given your home's construction and framing.
Check out shutters offered by companies like Shutterflex to see more of your options.