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She Could See the Difference at OnceBlack panel shutters on brown home
In the summer of 2016, Kathy L. was brainstorming ways she might update her home's exterior. She had driven past a house down the block a number of times and kept noticing the beautiful shutters on the windows. What was so different about them? There was something striking about the way they flanked the windows, creating shadows, detail, and depth.
“Every time I drove by, I would say, ‘Look at how nice those shutters are!'” said Kathy. Finally, she decided to get in touch with the homeowner and ask about them.
Kathy discovered that there was a distinct difference between the shutters she saw on most houses and the ones that had made such an impression on her. Several differences, in fact: They were custom-built Timberlane Shutters. Not mass-produced vinyl, but handcrafted wood. Not screwed onto siding, but hung on hinges, able to swing free but for the shutterdogs tying them back. The major difference? They were REAL shutters.
A Trip to Timberlane HeadquartersBefore and after image showing the difference exterior shutters make
Kathy knew that including real shutters in her exterior remodel would really increase the overall effect. She had seen it herself, the curb appeal that real shutters can offer. And once Kathy found that Timberlane was just over in the neighboring county, she decided to go for a visit.
“I love to see things made in America, and I love to see a quality product,” said Kathy. She took a short trip from Chester County, PA up to Montgomeryville, PA, where Timberlane is headquartered. All of the shutters are built on site in a top-of-the-line facility that is open to customer tours.
Inside Timberlane headquarters, Kathy was able to look at some samples of the 40+ shutter profiles they offer. And every profile is really just a starting point - each one can be customized to match the homeowner's personal style. She was blown away by the difference between the shutters she saw at Timberlane and the fixed-mounted vinyl that hangs beside the windows of so many homes.
“Once you've seen these shutters, how can you put vinyl on anything?” Kathy said. She was a convert. But she still had some decisions to make. Luckily, they were all fun decisions… simply choosing the perfect options to fit her style.
Picking the Perfect Shutter Design
Kathy's custom shutter selections included a 50/50 configuration of the FP5 profile. The FP5 design features flat panels and quarter-round trim, an appealing look with clean lines and understated ornamentation. Kathy elected to have them built from Western Red Cedar, one of the several species of wood and maintenance-free options available. Finally, the shutters were expertly painted with premium Pitch Black paint and shipped with Belmont Tiebacks to finish off the look.
After replacing the siding, adding some stone veneer for texture, and updating the colors of the roof and porch railing, the new shutters were installed, giving the home that perfect touch to bring its curb appeal to the next level. Because, as we all know, it really is the details that count.
Which Exterior Shutter Style is Best for Your Home?
Exterior shutters come in many styles, but which shutter style is right for your home? Well, it's a good idea to consider your home's architecture. This will give you some direction in selecting shutters for your home. For instance, a Colonial home's traditional shutter style is different than farmhouse shutters.
Now, you may find that you prefer a different shutter than the usual style for your home. That's okay! Whether or not you want to install the traditional shutter pairing for your house style, there are plenty of ways to personalize your shutters. Concerned that using the “typical” shutter will box you in? Consider color, custom options, and even cutout designs to make it your own.
Ultimately, your choice should be the something you love. However, to get started (and for all the historically-oriented traditionalists out there), we'll be discussing shutters for the home based on its style. But first, let's cover the basic exterior shutter styles available.
Shutter Styles: The Basics
Whether you prefer a classic look or rustic charm, there is a broad variety of shutter styles to choose from. And creating the perfect look doesn't end there! Every style can be customized to reflect your taste.
There are five basic styles: Panel, Louver, Board & Batten, Bermuda, and Mission Style. (In addition, sometimes you will see combination shutters which incorporate both panel and louver styles into one shutter.) Ready to learn some shutter style basics? Keep reading.
Panel Shutters
black panel shutters on stone homeNothing says tradition like a well-crafted panel shutter. A time-tested classic, the panel shutter remains popular to this day. The panel design may be a raised panel, flat panel, or recessed panel (which looks a lot like a raised panel, especially at a distance. Due to their insulative properties, panel shutters are common with house styles that were built in colder climates when shutters were always functional and used to cover windows.
Louver Shutters
blue fixed louver shutters with arch tops on tan stone homeLouver shutters are a popular choice in American architecture. Louvers are the little slats that can open and close in operable louver shutters, or remain at a fixed angle in fixed louver shutters. This style also can be configured into sections like a panel shutter. Louver shutters are a popular choice for homes in more temperate and warmer climates as they can provide ventilation and, if operable, can close to keep out cold, sun, and rain.
Board & Batten
green board and batten shutters on gray houseBoard and batten shutters are a more primitive design that likely originated in the countryside, farther from the artisans who made panel and louver shutters. Their simple design was easy for those who had to build shutters themselves: just a row of planks (boards) aligned lengthwise and connector planks (battens) running horizontally at the top and bottom. As a result of their humble beginnings, board and batten shutters look right at home on farmhouses and cottages - though they fit many other styles, as well.
Bermuda Shutters
blue bahama shutters on white beach homeBermuda shutters are unique among the shutters listed here. This style (also called Bahama shutters) opens outward like an awning. Bermuda shutters feature slats like a fixed louver shutter but are hinged and connected at the top of the window instead of on the sides. These shutters are excellent for blocking light while allowing a breeze. They come with varying slat widths and spacing, either with or without a middle horizontal bar to divide the top and bottom. Bermuda shutters are often found on coastal homes, tropical homes, and beach houses.
Mission Style
stained wood mission style shutters on brick homeMission Style shutters are the go-to shutter style for Craftsman Style homes (also called Arts and Crafts Style homes). These emphasize the geometric simplicity and clean lines often associated with the classic Arts & Crafts movement. Due to their varied designs, there aren't many unifying features, other than the emphasis on physical, geometric design. These designs are generally achieved with layered wood cut to shape and overlaid on another board of wood.