Siding Contractor Michigan – Gutters Michigan

So you’ve done it – you have purchased your own home. You have achieved the American dream. But you really can’t call your home “yours” until you put your own personal touches on it. Whether you bought a brand new home, a fixer-upper, or you have landed somewhere in the middle, an inexpensive way to give your home a personal style is to add exterior vinyl shutters.

Vinyl exterior shutters will give your home a more inviting feeling and will make you stand out among your neighbors. Your home will have “curb appeal” and it will give you the feeling of pride you are looking for. And the best part is you don’t even need to call a contractor to install decorative shutters – you can install them yourself in a matter of minutes.

To get started, you first need to decide which style of exterior shutter will look good on your home. There are generally 3 basic styles of shutters to choose from:

1. Louvered shutters
2. Raised panel shutters
3. Board and batten shutters

Louvered shutters are by far the most popular and are indeed what comes to mind when most people think about the term “exterior shutters”. However, it is important to realize that this isn’t the only option.

Louver shutters were originally meant specifically for solar control, as other types of shutters do not allow varying amounts of sunlight to pass through when they are closed. The modern decorative shutters are only meant for aesthetic purposes and do not open or close. Operable shutters are also available, but most people who put shutters on their home now do it for decorative purposes so they opt for the inexpensive exterior vinyl louver shutters.

Raised panel shutters are another option. Raised panel shutters tend to stand the test of time a little better than louvered shutters because they do not have as many parts when they are put together. These shutters look better than louvered shutters when placed on a really “busy” surface such as brick, but they also look good on smooth surfaces.

Board and batten shutters give your home more of a rustic look. These shutters are constructed using vertical “boards” that are held together with horizontal “cross battens”. The vertical boards can either be butted (or joined) together or spaced apart. Modern styles also have a diagonal batten joining the other two to form a “Z” shape, similar to the way a barn door looks.

After you have decided on a style, you need to decide on a color. Color samples can be ordered to determine the appropriate color for your home, or alternatively you may wish to choose a neutral color such as black or white or even order shutters made from a paintable plastic so you can paint them to match.

Next, you need to measure your windows so you can determine the proper size of shutters for your home. Vinyl exterior shutters can be custom made, or ordered in stock sizes. Stock sizes are usually cheaper, but for a perfect fit you should consider getting the custom made shutters. Of course, another thing to keep in mind is that you may mix-and-match the standard and custom shutters, provided the standard sized shutters are available in the same style you desire. You should measure every window on your home carefully and write down the measurements. This is important because many homes have shorter windows on the second floor than on the first floor. Sizes of windows can vary drastically even on the same house.

Now it is time to order your shutters. Choose your vendor carefully, as not all of them make shutters in-house. Also, pay careful attention to how long the lead time is for the shutters. Some vendors also offer next-day shipping, but most do not. Try http://www.shuttercontractor.com/.

After you receive your vinyl exterior shutters, you can install them quickly and reletively easy. There are typically 2 mounting options, either using shutter-loks or color coordinated painted screws. Shutter-loks look like a button that protrudes from the shutter surface, and come in the same colors as the shutters. Painted screws are the option that most shutter contractors use because the installation is quicker.

Pay careful attention to the mounting instructions that came with the shutters or you have downloaded from the vendor’s web site. It is important to use the correct mounting pattern or you may void the warranty of the product.

After you have finished installing your exterior vinyl shutters, take a few steps back and look at what you have accomplished! You now have a home you can be proud to call “yours”. Cheers!

Installing exterior vinyl shutters is usually a simple, straightforward task when installing on wood or siding. However, if you are installing plastic shutters on a brick surface, some things need to be taken into consideration.

First of all, some bricks are reinforced with metal. This makes it an extremely difficult task to drill through the brick. I tried this once and it took me all day just to mount 3 pairs of shutters because I had to continually switch back and fourth between a masonry drill bit and a steel drill bit.

Another thing to consider is that the life of the house will probably be longer than the life of the vinyl shutters. It is quite possible that the person who buys the house from you (whenever that day may be) won’t like the shutters and will want to take them down. Alternatively they may wish to install operable exterior shutters in their place. So we must be sure to make removing them in the future an easy process.

Both of these problems can be solved by drilling into the mortar between the bricks instead of into the bricks themselves. The main reason for this is because it is much easier to patch the mortar than it is to fill and match the color and texture of the bricks.

The next thing to consider is whether you want a permanent installation or if you would like the option to take your window shutters down. The primary reason why you would want to take down your vinyl shutters would be to paint the house. Since brick typically is not painted a permanent installation will suffice in most situations. However, if part or your entire mounting surface is painted you may wish to make them removable for future maintenance. To mount the shutters permanently, you can order vinyl exterior shutters with shutter-loks (sometimes called shutter locks or shutter plugs). To make a removable installation, you can get painted metal screws to mount your window shutters and use some masonry anchors to hold them in place.

Finally, you will also need to take into consideration the construction of the house. If the window has a slope sill you will need to leave a 1/4 inch gap between the sill and the bottom of the shutter to allow rain, snow, and ice to drain from the window. If you have a brick mold you will need to order the correct size of exterior shutters to stretch from the top to the bottom of the window opening.

You will need the following items to complete the installation:

1. Tape measure

2. Power drill, steel and masonry drill bits

3. Sawhorses

4. Square

5. Pencil

6. Vinyl shutters

7. Either shutter-loks and or painted steel screws with masonry anchors

8. Hammer

9. Phillips screwdriver (for painted screws only)

For vinyl shutters that are 55 inches or larger, you will need to use 6 shutter-loks or painted steel screws. If the shutter panel is less than 55 inches, 4 mounting fasteners will suffice.

To get started, hold one panel of the vinyl shutters in position next to the window in the position you would like it mounted. The shutter should be as close to the window opening as possible. Now, you will need to use a pencil to mark the center of the mortar in each of the 4 (or 6) mounting locations. Keep in mind that you will need to leave a 2 to 5 inch gap on the top and the bottom of the shutter above and below the mounting fastener. So for example if the first mortar line is less than 2 inches down from the top of the shutter, you should use mark the second mortar line as the point on the shutter where you will need to drill. Just mark the side of the plastic shutter in the 4 (or 6) locations where the center of the mortar lines are.

Now, set the vinyl shutter face up on the sawhorses. Using the mark on the side as a guide, lay the square across the top of the shutter with one end of it hanging over the side pointing downward toward the ground. You are only using this as a guide to mark the drilling location on the front side of the exterior shutter based on the markings you placed on the side that indicate where the mortar lines are. The stiles (or rails) for vinyl shutters are typically 2 to 4 inches in width. Using the square as a guide, draw a small line across the face of the stile and then use the tape measure to mark the precise location of the mounting hole (exactly in the center of the stile). Repeat this until all of the holes are marked.

If you decided to use shutter-loks to install your vinyl shutters, you need to drill a 1/4 inch hole at each of the locations using a steel drill bit. For the removable installation, use an 11/64 inch steel drill bit to drill the holes in the vinyl exterior shutter at the locations you marked.

Place the shutter against the surface of the house and use the pencil to mark the center of the hole (which should also be in the center of the mortar). Be sure the vinyl shutter doesn’t slip while you mark all of the locations.

Now remove the exterior shutter. If you are using shutter locks you will need a1/4 inch masonry bit. For painted screws you will need to use the correct size masonry bit for the anchors you purchased. Drill at each of the 4 (or 6) locations you marked.

For shutter-loks, make sure that the hole is at least 1 3/4 inches deep. For painted screws you should drill 2 inches deep. It is better to drill a little bit over to ensure they don’t bottom out because starting over is not particularly easy and requires new shutter-loks.

To finish the shutter-lok installation, place the shutter against the wall in the final location and push the shutter-loks through the vinyl shutter and into the hole in the wall. If you can’t push it all the way in, use a hammer to gently tap it until it just touches the surface of the vinyl shutter. Be sure to leave a little bit of play to allow for expansion and contraction.

When mounting with painted screws and anchors you should drill 2 inches deep into the mortar. Using a hammer, tap the anchors into the holes in the mortar. Finally, place the shutter against the surface and put the screws through the vinyl exterior shutters into the masonry anchors and tighten the screws with the screwdriver. Do not over tighten them – the vinyl shutters should not dimple.

Repeat each of the steps for the other panels of your exterior window shutters.

If you are a homeowner and are looking for an easy way to dress up your exterior and add cosmetic value to your home you should consider adding vinyl exterior shutters to your window frames.

This is a great way to add that magic touch to your home. Most homeowners will be pleasantly surprised at the inexpensive cost of adding vinyl exterior shutters that really does create a new look and a sense of style to your home. The other exciting feature about adding shutters to your home is the fact that they are inexpensive to purchase and easy to install.

New vinyl exterior shutters can be purchased for as little as twenty dollars a pair. They come in many colors to accent your present home and can even be primed and painted to match your personal touch. In stock shutters come in widths from twelve inches to fifteen inches. Most decorators agree that a consistent size shutter be used no matter what the different sizes of windows you may have in your home.

The other great feature about vinyl exterior shutters is that they are entirely care free. Your new shutters will not warp, fade, dent, or rust. They are nearly indestructible and will last for the life of your home New shutters will certainly add value to your home without investing a lot of money. These new shutters will make your home a real feature for any potential buyer should you decide to sell your home on the open market.

The installation process for vinyl exterior shutters can be a do-it-yourself project. Most shutters can be attached and installed to your home using a matching shutter-lok system that is quick and easy. Most homeowners elect to do this project themselves but even if you hire a professional contractor to do the work you will find the cost very reasonable.

The final about about your new vinyl exterior shutters is that they are easy to find. Major home stores carry a selection of shutter in their story. You can also purchase shutter through the internet by using on line sites that carry shutters. Web sellers offer a wide variety of shutter styles, sizes and colors. This is perhaps the easiest way to find a good price on shutters and a nice selection of styles.

Simon Harris writes about Vinyl Exterior Shutters at http://www.shutter-world.com

Our new home in North Carolina was truly beautiful but for some reason I kept thinking that it was missing something… The home was all stone in the front and I realized it had no shutters.

My husband and I decided to go with vinyl exterior shutters in a deep merlot color. That particular color worked really well with the stonework on the house. In the past the only type of shutters that we had ever had were wooden and they were hard to care for. It felt like the paint was always peeling or there was some type of mold or wood rot on them. We knew that vinyl exterior shutters were virtually free from any type of upkeep and they looked great and would last.

The style of vinyl exterior shutters we chose were raised panel because I really liked the way they sort of popped of the house. When you looked at the home the vinyl shutters really stood out and added color and definition to the windows. Vinyl exterior shutters come in many different styles and they can be painted if needed. Most companies that carry vinyl exterior shutters will offer them in around 20 colors but sometimes painting them is necessary because they may need to match an existing color on the home. We were very lucky with the deep merlot color because it matched some of the stone perfectly.

Having the option of using vinyl exterior shutters was not only good for improving the look of our home but it also saved us a lot of money. These shutters are very affordable as well as durable. Compared to the old wooden ones that always needed paint and repair the vinyl ones are a much better deal. Vinyl exterior shutters are readily available and very easy to install. They weigh almost nothing and hang in just a few minutes. My husband was so proud of himself when he was done hanging the vinyl exterior shutters. So much so he stood out in front of the house bragging to the neighbors about how “handy” he was. Well, he did do a great job and the vinyl exterior shutters look terrific.

Simon Harris writes about Vinyl Exterior Shutters at http://www.shutter-world.com

Vinyl window shutters are certainly one of the most effective and attractive treatments for windows. But what is more important is that you can have them for lesser price. You can install the finest external vinyl window shutters with costs much less than the wooden type of shutters that are more popular and easily available in most retail stores nowadays.

 

Exterior vinyl window shutters are definitely great buys if only because of the practical functions and features that such treatments offer for your windows. Vinyl material are great for shutters as they are tough, and rarely crack, peel or fade not like other material types.

 

Another great feature about the vinyl window shutters is they are fire retardant. They possess insulating features that are better, quality wise, compared to the wooden type of shutters.

 

Vinyl shutters are also very easy to clean and dust away all particles. This can be done without any help from special cleansers. Vinyls rarely get ugly scratches and even dents. It is only for this reason that vinyl shutters should be used in rooms for kids.

 

Finally, before purchasing your exterior vinyl window shutters, the first thing that you have to do is compare products in terms of prices and quality as well. Online research is simply the best way to make reliable comparisons. The internet is also one of the most convenient avenues to check the numerous models of shutters. The important thing is, your purchase should not be based on the cheapness of the product. You must instead put the quality and performance of the shutters a top priority when buying one.

 

For more interesting articles and discussions on external window shutters and window treatments in general, do visit our Window Shutters World blog.   

If you are looking to add beauty into your home but you are completely unsure of how to do it, then vinyl shutters may just be what you are looking for. You may think that shutters are only for outdoors but in fact they can be used just as effectively indoors too. So if you haven’t already, why not look into getting vinyl shutters today?

Vinyl Shutters and the Beauty They Bring

What is so great about vinyl shutters is the fact that they are inexpensive to buy, yet they look just as good as wooden shutters if not better. They even outlive wooden shutters by a few years and they can be painted to match any color that you need. This makes them ideal for use indoors as you will also not have to worry about painting in wet weather and you will not have the weatherproof the paint either. This means that it is cheaper to own vinyl shutters indoors than it is outdoors.

Generally vinyl shutters can be used all around the home. So, whether you need to decorate the windows upstairs or downstairs, it can be done. The shutters themselves come in a variety of different styles and they can be as simple or as detailed as you would like them to be. If you plan on decorating all the windows, it may be a good idea to think of different themes for each room. You do not have to stick to the same vinyl shutter for each window if you do not want to; just try to have windows within the same room as each other with the same designs and you should be fine. Different designs within one room could make the whole theme look a little too mismatched and that is not usually a good thing.

Always shop around for the right vinyl shutters for you. That way you will find the best deals for you and you could even save money too. Also another reason to shop around is because each place will stock a different design. Some people like to shop online as you can find hundreds of designs in a short amount of time. So, if you are pushed for time log on to the internet and that should help you out.

Overall vinyl shutters do come in a variety of types and designs and each one will add a different look. Some will look modern whilst others will look elegant and contemporary. So, decide what look you are after and that will help you to choose the right type of vinyl shutters to suit you.

The most frequently asked question in the exterior vinyl shutter business is “What is the difference between custom and standard sized vinyl exterior shutters?” What most people really want to know is “Why should I pay twice as much for the same thing?”

The physical products are compatible and can be mixed and matched on your house. You may not even notice a difference between custom exterior shutters and standard sized exterior shutters unless you are standing a few feet away from the house.

Let’s put this in perspective. If you walk into the men’s section at a department store you will likely see several racks of suits. There is a moderate range of choices, and there is a small range of sizes available. Most of these suits are made for a guy that is somewhere around an average height and weight, and if that guy walks into the store he may find exactly what he is looking for on the rack.

On the other hand, if the guy who is shopping for a suit is very short, very tall, very fat, or very skinny his choices are probably few to none. These people will likely need to go to a custom tailor to get a suit that fits right. That is not to say that an average sized guy wouldn’t also go to a custom tailor. They will pay more for a suit, but they can have it built exactly the way they want it in the right style, color, and type of fabric and it will fit just right.

The same applies to vinyl exterior shutters. Standard-sized vinyl shutters are pre-molded in one piece and are available in a couple of widths, and the height may only be available in every 3 or 4 inches.

If you choose custom exterior vinyl shutters, there will be a wider range of styles and sizes available. Custom shutters are tailored to your home just as a custom tailored suit is made for your body. These pairs of vinyl shutters are made from individual pre-molded components:

1. 4 rails (stiles) – these come in 12 feet long lengths

2. 2 tops

3. 0 to 2 centers

4. 2 bottoms

5. Either louvers (in 12 inch sheets) or panels with a panel cap

The exterior vinyl shutter rails are cut to the ordered length, the top is installed, then louvers or the fabricated raised panel is inserted into the assembly. Optionally, a center is put into place and more louvers or panels are added before putting on the bottom. The custom vinyl shutter is then ultrasonically welded into the final product. The variety of parts in different width configurations and colors give the fabricator the ability to make a wide range of styles and sizes of custom exterior shutters.

Vinyl shutters are extremely popular these days and it is no wonder why. They last a long time and they are great compared to wooden ones. They even don’t provide a problem when placed within a damp room.

These days’ people are always looking to improve their homes and more and more people are starting to see that vinyl shutters might just be the best way to do it. They are inexpensive so if you haven’t got much money it is an easy yet really effective way of enhancing the appearance of the home and they also last for a long time too so it is basically a win-win situation.

How Vinyl Shutters Could Add Character to Your Home

Our homes can really start to get us down after a while. When you first move in everything is perfect but then little things start to annoy us. We regularly seek change yet we have no idea where to start. Many people also do not have the money to make big changes and so changing something small such as shutters over the windows can often be the only option. However, whilst changing the shutters may seem like such a small change, it can actually really change the appearance of the home and make it more appealing to the eye.

Generally vinyl shutters are the best kind to purchase and they last quite a while too. They come in a wide variety of panels and there are also a few different types of vinyl shutters too. The panels can either come in one long panel or the look can be split into two or maybe even more in order to create different appearances. You can find these panels in various hardware stores and they are really easy to install too and if you need the hinges they can be found in the same place that you bought the panels.

Vinyl is also commonly used for window frames too and this is because it is extremely easy to clean. All it needs is a little wipe down and colored vinyl shutters do not fade as easily as wooden ones do. Just give the vinyl shutters a quick wipe with warm water every couple of days and they should be fine.

Another reason why vinyl shutters are installed in people’s homes instead of wooden ones is the fact that in some rooms it can get quite damp. With wooden shutters this could be a problem and they could actually start to rot if left. Of course you can weather proof the shutters to stop this but that would be even more expense and what would the point be in that when you could have vinyl shutters which are cheaper and they don’t have that problem.

Overall vinyl shutters do make a house look more like a home and they are really cheap and easy to install too. Just make sure that you get the right sizes and you will end up with shutters which last you for years to come.

This tutorial explains how to paint brand new paintable vinyl exterior shutters and is not intended or recommended for the PVC type of exterior shutters or repainting old exterior shutters. You must have the paint grade shutters for this procedure to work correctly.

First you need to decide whether to spray or brush the paint on with a paint brush. It is recommended that you use a spray system to paint your exterior vinyl shutters, as the result will come out more consistent.

Next is paint selection. There are three basic choices to consider and the choice you make is very personal to you and the style of your home:

1. Exterior flat paint

2. Semi gloss/satin finish paint

3. High gloss paint

Choosing the quality of paint for plastics is different than the paint you would use for painting wood. Whether you are spraying or brushing, I always advise to use relatively inexpensive paints. I recommend this for two reasons. First, you will not have to deal with any moisture issues so the mil thickness of the paint is not important. Secondly, very high quality paints are more globular and intended for use with a roller, which makes the paint too thick for even spraying. Remember that a plastic product is inert and does not absorb or emit moisture vapors so protection from the elements is secondary.

Priming is dependant on the exact type of substrate you will be working with. If the material is a styrene like the Mid-America brand (only color #30) or a high quality copolymer like Alcoa Vintage shutters or other pre-painted product, and if you are using a flat exterior latex paint, you will get excellent adhesion without priming.

If you are using anything other than flat latex, always prime the surface of the exterior vinyl shutters first. The paint supply store will have inexpensive primer (wood primer is fine) and again it does not have to be high quality as it is only to provide adhesion for your top coats of paint.

Follow the directions and pay careful attention to the temperature guideline on the paint can for the best results.

You will need the following items to get started:

1. A pair of sawhorses (or two large boxes)

2. A drop sheet (either plastic or cloth)

3. An equal number of cardboard boxes to the number of exterior shutter panels you are painting (the boxes are for storing the freshly painted exterior shutter panels on while drying)

4. Paint spray gun or for brushing a two inch and a half inch paint brush

5. Paper towels or a clean rag

6. A respirator if recommended by the paint manufacturer

OK, Picasso time to get to work.

Open louver shutters present a big challenge because of the angle of the slats and resultant difficulty of getting full coverage. If you don’t address the space between the slats and you are installing the exterior shutters at eye level or higher, after you install your vinyl shutters unpainted spaces behind the slat will be visible.

If you are spraying, before you actually spray paint on the vinyl shutter use a test area for an even spray pattern and to make certain that the gun is working properly. The side of the cardboard drying boxes will work well for this. To paint louver vinyl shutters, lay the panel face down and begin to spray holding the gun at a forty five degree angle then aim the nozzle directly into the slat cavity. Spray with even strokes and begin before your paint zone and always follow through your paint zone. Go to the other side and repeat. Always inspect for adequate coverage of paint on the exterior shutter before going to the next stage. While the window shutter is face down it’s a good idea to paint the edges to ensure that they will be covered properly. I am always amazed at the missed spots on the edges when I don’t do this.

If you are brushing, you will need the small brush for this job. Paint liberally between the slats, making sure to also paint the sides of the slat about one-half inch. Painting the edges with a brush while the exterior shutter is face down is a good plan as well.

Turn the exterior window shutter over. You do not need to wait for the paint to dry as the back side of the exterior shutter is recessed and will not rest directly against the cardboard box.

If spraying, use the same angle of the spray gun as you used on the back side of the louvers and spray into the slat cavity on both sides. Next, go to the bottom edge of the exterior shutter and angle the gun so you can paint the bullnose (the edge of the louver). Hold the spray gun at about a thirty degree angle and spray from one side to the other in even strokes, again overspray your paint zone to ensure the finish is applied evenly. The next step is to go to the top of the shutter and spray the face of the slat. Here you will hold the gun at a ninety degree angle to the slats (perpendicular to the slat), again over spray your paint zone. Re-spray the edges and paint the stiles (vertical rails). Finish with a second coat, inspect, and re-shoot if necessary.

Brushing is fairly obvious and requires little other than using your two inch brush for the coat of paint. Be sure to inspect the edges of the exterior shutters for full coverage and that you indeed did cover the exterior shutter completely.

Move the freshly painted vinyl shutters onto one of the boxes you set up for the painted shutters to dry and repeat until all of the vinyl exterior shutters are painted.

For more information about installing, removing, and measuring for vinyl exterior shutters visit http://www.shuttercontractor.com/.

Choosing a measurement style is one of the most difficult decisions in the purchase of vinyl exterior shutters. The first step to replacing your vinyl shutters is with a walk or drive around your neighborhood. The first thing to look for is how the exterior shutter tops are placed in relation to the top of the window.

If the area you live in typically has lap siding (wood or vinyl) and wood or metal trim (e.g. a 1″ x 4″ or a 2″ x 4″) around the window, are the exterior window shutters flush with the top of the trim or are they aligned with the top of the actual window? If your area has a lot of stucco exteriors and no trim, look to see if the exterior vinyl shutters are mounted flush with the top of the window. In an area with a lot of brick houses, are the exterior shutters mounted even with the top of the opening or are they lined up with the top of the actual window itself? A lot of old homes (now referred to as heritage homes) have a 2″ brick-mold that is fairly flush with the siding, how are the vinyl exterior shutters mounted? Take note of how the exterior shutters are typically mounted with respect to the trim and window in your neighborhood.

So now we have covered most of the representative types of window trim, the next step is looking at the bottom of the exterior window shutters. Check to see whether your neighbors have their exterior shutters installed all the way to the bottom of the opening or if the exterior vinyl shutters are lined up with the window. If there is a sill at the bottom of the window, it is typically best to leave a 1/4″ to 1/2″ space between the bottom of the window shutter and the window sill. This gap is primarily to allow for the expansion and contraction of the vinyl material.

While most details become evident in your reconnaissance of the neighborhood, there are some finer points to note. A well fitted pair of exterior shutters that look “just right” may well be custom made for that house.

A quick aside about the value of paying for custom made shutters vs. buying the relatively inexpensive standard sized shutters. When referring to vinyl shutters, the term “custom shutters” means that the height will be a custom size and the widths are only in specific sizes (e.g. 5 3/4″, 8″, 9 1/4″, 11″, 12″, 14 1/4″, 16 1/2″, 18″, etc.). Standard sized shutters are only generally made in 2 widths (about 12″ and 15″) and only come in heights that are about every 3 or 4 inches from about 30″ to 80″. You must consider whether standard size shutters are going to work properly for you, as poorly sized shutters not only look a little shabby they can actually affect the curb appeal (and resale value) of your home. Custom made vinyl exterior shutters may cost twice as much as standard shutters but the return is often worth the investment, as exterior vinyl shutters are one of the lowest cost improvements you can make to your house. Properly fitted exterior shutters can make a big difference for a little extra money.

To determine the proper width of your vinyl exterior shutters there are many things to consider. It is generally accepted in the trade that the style of home influences the decision about the width of the shutter. For a two story home that is narrow to the street that has vertical operating windows you would want to emphasize the height of the structure. You would do this by choosing a narrower width of shutters. On the other hand, a ranch style home that runs parallel to the street would look better with wide vinyl exterior shutters to emphasize the width of the house.

You may start by dividing the width of the window by 2 – this is the maximum exterior shutter width you would want for any window. The minimum would be around 25% of the window’s width. When you also consider the style of home, you will then have a starting point to work from. In general it works best to find a single width that works for all of your windows, but you also need to consider the space between the windows.

That said there are many exceptions to this rule. For example, if you have an 8 foot wide window on the front of your house with no (or very few) windows facing the same direction, you may wish to order wide exterior vinyl shutters for the wide window, and then order narrower shutters for the other windows on the house. Another thing to consider is if you have a light, down spout, or other obstruction that is too close to the window for a wide shutter to fit. This is where ordering custom shutters can come in handy so you can get a width that works within the distance from the obstruction. Custom exterior shutters can solve many problems that “only seem to be on my house”.

A good way to tell how a particular width of exterior vinyl shutters will look without investing a lot of money is to find some corrugated cardboard boxes that are fairly sizable and cut them to the proper height and 50% of the width of the windows. Tape them temporarily to the side of your home on each side of your windows using duct tape, and then step back away from the house to see how it looks. Most people will probably think they look too wide at that point. Take the cardboard cutouts down, and with a utility knife, cut them down to where you think they should be and step back again for another look. You should be able to tell if you went too far almost immediately, and you may also notice that some windows still look a little wide, while others look a little narrow. Take note of this and then take the cardboard down to measure the width. Now you should have a pretty good idea about the width of exterior shutters you need to order.