Shutters serve different purposes in a home. Some are installed for protection, others for beautifying or decoration, and some are a mix of both. Choosing a shutter design for your first home can be so stressful. You don’t want to buy the wrong model and then have your house look odd around the windows. You probably want the shutters to be suited for the house but also to reflect your taste; after all, it is your home.
There are many types of exterior shutter designs, and many work well with specific kinds of houses based on their architecture. But, you don’t have to be bound by these generalizations. You can get your shutters custom-made. If you find that a particular shutter style doesn’t agree with your taste, you might like it more after you’ve made some changes like some new paint or a few cutouts.
Choosing shutters for your first home doesn’t have to be frustrating. If you have an idea of what you want your house to look like when it’s done, then you’re halfway there already. So, here are a couple of things you need to keep in mind when shutter shopping.
The architectural design of your home and neighborhood.
Taking a look at the design of your home and then going to Google to find out which shutter design works best for it, is not the best way to decide how you want to frame your windows. You can take note of what shutters are said to work best with your house, yes. For example, raised panel shutters work we with most homes, Bahamas, or Bermuda shutters are suited to Cape Cod, cottages, and ranches. Louvered shutters work well with homes that are classical in appearance while Board and Batten work with more rural homes.
But it’s much better to take a walk or drive around the neighborhood. In most communities, the architecture of the buildings is much the same. You can look around and observe what the neighbors did with their shutters. This can serve as a better guide than any standard recommendation.
Durability
What purpose will the shutters serve? Is it to keep the elements out or just for curb appeal? Knowing all these things will help you to choose a shutter design and which wood you can use for it. Do you want your shutter to be operable or inoperable, with slats or without, etc.?
Right now, the most popular wood for shutter making is Basswood because it’s light and flexible and is suitable for painting. Other options are MDF, vinyl, faux wood, synthetic foam, etc. Not all of these are water-resistant, though. So if you’re going to install shutters in the bathroom, you should get the synthetic foam shutters that are resistant to fire and water.
Color
The color of your shutters depends mainly on personal taste, your neighborhood, the color of your house, and the purpose of your screens. The best colors for shutters are any color that creates s nice contrast with the color of the house in a way that’s attractive to you, the owner.
For example, dark blue louvered shutters would look good on a white or yellow colonial home. If you like brighter colors, you can follow that theme as long as your chosen colors contrast nicely. For a more subtle understated look, you can try using darker or lighter tones of the house’s color. This also serves to give the house a more elegant, minimalist look.
The little details
Paying attention to the tiny details of fitting in shutters is essential and could change the whole aesthetic of shutters, according to Shutter Installation in Brisbane. Make sure that your screens align with your windows properly. An ideal shutter should match the length of the window’s trim. You can create a more streamlined look by installing shutters that have the same width in all the windows.
You can also customize your shutters by picking shutters with distinctive cut out motifs or painting the panels in different, complementary colors. Add even more detail with proper hardware such as hinges and holdbacks. You can also add some eye-catching fasteners. Your shutters will have a more personal and homey feeling to them.
In Conclusion
With all the stores and pressure of choosing beautiful new shutters to go with your beautiful new home, you tend to follow the classic and traditional shutter option. While these options look alright, they do not leave the personal touch that the house owner’s shutter designs will. It also stresses you, makes you agonize over the sheer number of choices there are, and if you’ll be able to make the right choice. Because this is your first home and you don’t want to spoil it.
The most important thing while designing a shutter is making sure the measurements fit and the wood used is reasonable and whether the shutter is as functional as it was meant to be(operational or decorative). The rest is up to you, your imagination, and your shutter installation company.
Related Posts
