Changing Trends in Wood Shutters

During the 1990s a new trend began to take hold in the United States, that of interior wooden shutters. This was a small part of a widespread increase in the use of window accessories in real wood. Unfortunately, wood shutters were on the high end of the price scale, so wood blinds became a viable alternative. As usually happens, the trend has now reversed, and instead of wood blinds, the market for wood shutters has become more popular, especially that of faux wood, a material that has the effect of wood but at a lower cost.

Why Choose Faux Wood

Consumers buy window shutters for both privacy and to shade the room from the rays of the sun. Unlike blinds, shutters can completely shade the room, thus letting less light into the room. Because faux wood shutters are usually made from PVC or a similar composite material, they can provide the consumers with all the advantages of real wood, including the attractiveness, without the cost factors involved with real wood.

How Trends Have Changed

In the past, wood blinds were a luxury only afforded the rich, but the development of the faux wood shutter has made them more affordable. In fact, the introduction of faux wood has even forced manufacturers of real wood to lower their prices in order to prevent a total loss of sales. This means that although more people can afford real wood shutters, fax wood shutters are still a less expensive option. This narrowing of the price gap between the two types of blinds means that approximately 50% of blinds currently sold in the US are fax wood while the percentage for shutters is likely to be within the same range.

Concern for the environment may also influence people into buying faux wood instead of real wood shutters because they are concerned with natural wood depletion and replacement. Of course, you may find some who will argue that natural wood is biodegradable material while PVC and composite materials may create additional future refuse disposal issues. For most consumers, these problems are not even a consideration, but it's important to take them into consideration for those who may make their decision based upon one of those issues.

Advantages of Faux Wood

Compared to real wood, faux wood shutters have the advantage when it comes to strength and damage resistance. For example, a faux wood shutter will not warp, fade or crack, and over long periods of sun exposure, PVC will keep its shape and texture far better than its real wood counterpart. Though many people may be able to tell the difference between real wood and faux wood, the purpose is to create a real wood "look" to the room that the casual observer fails to note from a distance.

Vinyl Shutters Guide

Buying vinyl shutters for the home can give your home that very stunning look and add that modern day look to your home. Vinyl shutters are very affordable and comes in many colors and styles. People like using vinyl shutters because you design them in the color of your choice, or you can paint them.

If you buy this type of shutter you can easily clean them and take care of them. Using these shutters can offer a durable affect for all types of weather because they come in a a hollow style structure that is very beneficial and it gives you the opportunity to control the amount of light you want to come through. These days people use more of the shutters because of the everlasting strength to protect against all types of stormy weather.

If you're trying to decide on which shutters to buy you might want to buy one with a wood effect. If you decide on buying the wood-type shutter you will find that this particular one will last you a lifetime. When you're making a choice you have the option to search around and look for the best prices and deals. You may decide to buy vinyl shutters because they really give the home a creative look and add that luxurious look.

Sometime if you're lucky you can find shutters for as little as $20 and less. This is definitely the way to change that boring look to a more modern look of today. You will be glad you bought vinyl shutters for your new improved home.

Different Types of Exterior Window Shutters

Many houses these days have some type of exterior window shutters installed, whether they are just decorative or actually functional. People like the way they look on houses, so they are usually an added selling point as well. Depending on your taste, there are a number of different styles of shutters you can consider for your home.

Colonial shutters are one type of exterior window shutter that is both functional and decorative. They can help with storm protection if they are hurricane rated. Usually these shutters come in panels with four sections of louvers that can be opened or closed to different degrees depending on the amount of light and privacy you would like. You can use two tiers of these shutters on taller windows or just one tier on the bottom for a cafe shutter style.

Another type of exterior window shutter you might want to consider are Bahama shutters. These are also functional, but unlike many shutters, they are hinged across the top instead of on the side, so they open away from the house. A shutter that covers an entire bank of windows can also be used as an awning to provide shade. Most Bahama shutters open to a 45 degree angle, although they can be opened just a small amount if that is what you prefer. They are usually made from aluminum and can also provide storm protection when closed.

For those who would like more solid shutters for their windows, board and batten shutters make a good option. These exterior window shutters can have either a separated board or joined board design. They come in many materials, from cedar to vinyl to composite materials, depending on your price range and preferences. They are available in various sizes and work well with curved windows as well as rectangular windows.

Louvered shutters are another common option for exterior shutters. Many homes use vinyl louvered shutters if they just want a decorative look since these are inexpensive and come in a wide variety of colors. Functional shutters are also available in wood and fiberglass and will help control the amount of light that gets into your home as well as ensuring your privacy.