What Types of Exterior Shutters Are Best for Your Home?

Exterior shutters are more than just a design choice; they’re versatile home upgrades that blend both functionality and charm, elevating your home’s curb appeal and protecting your windows from the elements. But with so many exterior window shutter types to choose from, it’s important to understand how different styles work – and how they might complement (or clash with) your home’s aesthetic.

Whether you’re looking to enhance visual appeal, boost protection, or add a layer of privacy, we’re certain there’s a set of new or replacement shutters perfect for your property. Today, let’s explore a few different types of exterior shutters and find the right ones for you.

The purpose of exterior shutters

Sure, exterior shutters can look fantastic, but they were originally used for utility. Depending on their design, shutters can:

• Shield windows from wind and rain.
• Offer privacy while maintaining airflow.
• Provide insulation during extreme weather.
• Add depth and dimension to your home’s exterior design.
• Adjust the amount of natural light coming into your home.

It’s only over time that shutters have evolved into decorative elements that can also highlight a home’s character and style. These days, most shutters are purely aesthetic upgrades that improve curb appeal and tie a home’s architectural features together.

What window shutter types are popular picks?

Head to a window store or home improvement center, and you’ll find lots of different window shutter styles – enough to induce decision paralysis, in fact. Fortunately, most homeowners stick with one of three different shutter types, so let’s examine those a little more closely.

Louvered shutters

Louvered shutters are timeless classics (and the most popular window shutter type in America). They feature horizontal slats called louvers that overlap at angles to allow ventilation and light to pass through. They’re similar to plantation shutters in this way, though their slats are thinner on average.

While they are traditionally functional, many louvered shutters today are purely decorative and fixed in place – and some, like the louvered shutters we offer at Window World of the Blue Ridge, have optional arch tops to match the shape and style of the windows they’re paired with. Ultimately, these shutters are best installed on homes looking to balance functionality and elegance, especially if you like to open your windows regularly.

Benefits of louvered shutters include:

• Aesthetic fits for traditional, colonial, or farmhouse-style homes.
• Universal appeal that makes them great choices to boost curb appeal.
• Available in a range of materials, including wood, vinyl, and composite.

Board and batten shutters

Board and batten shutters, sometimes abbreviated as BnB shutters, offer a rustic, countryside vibe to your home. These are made of vertical planks (boards) held together by horizontal or diagonal supports (battens). Thanks to their unique looks, BnB shutters are top choices if you want to emulate the charm of European cottages and rural farmhouses.

Benefits of board and batten shutters include:

• Ideal for rustic, Mediterranean, craftsman, or cottage-style homes.
• Highly durable when made with quality materials.
• Can be customized for either a decorative or fully functional purpose.

Raised panel shutters

Raised panel shutters go in the opposite decorative direction, evoking a sense of refinement and formality (especially when combined with the right window treatments). They feature flat panels with raised rectangular sections, similar to the design of a classic cabinet door.

Raised panel shutters work particularly well with traditional or colonial-style homes, but they’re versatile enough that they can be installed on most homes without stylistic clashing.

Benefits of raised panel shutters include:

• Provide a polished, elegant look.
• Suitable for a wide range of home types.
• Often used decoratively, but they can also provide excellent weather protection when functional.

Choosing the right types of shutters for your home

Selecting the perfect exterior window shutter type can be tricky – you’ve got to balance style, functionality, and your home’s architecture. Here are a few tips to help you choose based on our experience.

• Match the architecture: Different types of shutters pair best with specific architectural themes. As an example, raised panel shutters suit colonial homes, while board and batten shutters can look positively stunning on rustic or craftsman-style houses.
• Decide between functional or decorative: The Blue Ridge area can get heavy storms from time to time, so functional shutters might be necessary. But if your goal is purely aesthetic, focus on materials and finishes that complement your home’s exterior.
• Material matters: Popular materials include wood, vinyl, and composite. Wood shutters offer a natural look, but they also require more maintenance and tend to be pricey. Composite shutters bring durability and aesthetic appeal, but – again – at higher average costs. Vinyl is a much more cost-effective and low-maintenance alternative that effortlessly blends quality and affordability, making it the most popular choice for shutter material.
• Choose the right size and color: Shutters should be sized to fit your windows properly, even if they are decorative. You’ll also want to opt for colors that either contrast with or complement your home’s exterior color palette.

Get great-looking exterior shutters at your local Window World

No matter which exterior shutter type you choose, you’ll need experienced contractors to handle installation. Professionals can ensure installation goes smoothly and quickly, plus prevent mistakes that could lead to higher costs.

At Window World of the Blue Ridge, our knowledgeable experts are just the people to trust for your next home renovation. To get started, request a quote online, call us at 336-838-9393, or visit our Wilkesboro showroom in person to check out any of the above exterior shutter types!