Alternatives To Wood House Shutters

Traditional wooden shutters were the standard for a long period of time. Today, however, vinyl and other types of shutters have replaced traditional wood house shutters. The reason why wooden shutters are quickly becoming a thing of the past is that they need to be maintained. Most people today are looking for a way to eliminate maintenance so that they have less work to do around the house. Wooden shutter require repainting or re-staining every so often, even if they are interior shutters. There are other ways.

Exterior house shutters are usually only used for ornamental purposes and are never closed, unlike long ago when shutters were developed. Shutters used to keep out inclement weather years ago, before double paned glass. Today, shutters are rarely closed, but do add glamour and décor to any home.

As we slowly say goodbye to wooden shutters, we can say hello to the following types of shutters:

Vinyl Shutters

Just like vinyl exterior siding, vinyl house shutters are maintenance free and last a lifetime. The only problem with vinyl shutters versus wood is that they have a tendency to ding if anything is tossed at the shutters. In other words, they are not as resilient as wood when it comes to rocks, hail or other debris. Many people are willing to put up with this because they are attractive and relatively inexpensive and maintenance free.

Composite Shutters

These are cheaper shutters made of composite woods instead of solid woods. The good thing about them is that they are resistant to termites and rot and will last a lifetime. They are also pre stained and do not need maintenance, yet will look like real wood. They are a good choice for anyone considering maintenance free shutters.

Fiberglass shutters

Fiberglass is strong and built to last. They work well for exterior house shutters and have been used in areas where the shutters are actually closed, such as those that are often hit by hurricanes. Fiberglass shutters may cost a bit more money, but they are strong, maintenance free and built to last. They are an ideal choice for anyone who lives in an area affected by hurricanes as they can take a battering.

Aluminum shutters

Like vinyl, aluminum shutters mirror aluminum siding and are a popular choice for homeowners. While vinyl was very popular two decades ago, knocking aluminum out of the running, aluminum shutters made a comeback and are now very popular among homeowners who want attractive and maintenance free shutters that are built to last.

Whether you are purchasing shutters for the exterior or interior of your home, you can find a wide variety of maintenance free shutters on the market today. The type of house shutters that you choose will depend upon your budget as well as how you plan to use the shutters. Shutters are used for everything from staving off damage from a hurricane to simple décor. Fine the ones that are right for your needs.