Exterior Wood Shutters: How to Choose, Size, and Style Them

Exterior shutters are one of the highest-impact curb appeal upgrades you can make to a home. A house with well-proportioned shutters looks finished and intentional. The same house without them can look bare, even if everything else about the exterior is well-maintained. Board and batten cedar shutters in particular bring a warmth and natural character that painted composite or vinyl shutters cannot match. Here is everything you need to know to choose, size, and install them correctly.

What Are Decorative Exterior Shutters?

Decorative exterior shutters are fixed panels mounted to the exterior wall on either side of a window. Unlike functional shutters, which swing closed to cover the window, decorative shutters are stationary — they are a visual element, not a working one. Their purpose is architectural: they frame the window, add depth and shadow to the facade, and give the exterior a finished, traditional appearance.

Board and batten is one of the most popular shutter styles. It consists of vertical boards joined by horizontal or diagonal cross-pieces (battens), creating a clean, rustic profile that works on farmhouse, craftsman, colonial, and cottage-style homes.

Why Cedar?

Cedar is the premium choice for exterior wood shutters, and for good reason. It is naturally resistant to rot, insects, and moisture — the three forces that destroy most exterior wood over time. Cedar's tight grain and natural oils make it far more durable outdoors than pine, poplar, or other common wood species.

Cedar also takes stain exceptionally well. The open grain absorbs stain deeply and evenly, producing a rich, warm finish that shows the natural wood character without obscuring it. A quality stain on cedar will hold its color and protect the wood for years, and when it does need refreshing, it takes a new coat of stain without stripping or heavy prep work.

The result is a shutter that looks genuinely high-end — warm, natural, and clearly made from real wood — in a way that painted or composite alternatives do not achieve.

How to Size Exterior Shutters

Sizing is where most exterior shutter installations go wrong. The most common mistake is choosing shutters that are too narrow — they look like they belong on a dollhouse rather than a real home.

The correct rule: each shutter should be half the width of the window opening. If both shutters were folded closed over the window, they should cover it completely. A window that is 36 inches wide needs two shutters that are each 18 inches wide.

Height is simpler: the shutter should match the height of the window opening, from the top of the window frame to the bottom of the sill. A shutter that is shorter than the window looks truncated and cheap. A shutter that is taller can work intentionally as a design choice but requires careful consideration.

For windows with an arch or decorative top, shutters typically run the height of the rectangular portion of the window, not the arch. Arched shutters are available but are a specialty item.

Stain Colors: How to Choose

Cedar shutters in a natural or warm stain are the most versatile choice. The warm honey and amber tones of stained cedar complement virtually every exterior palette — white siding, gray siding, cream, beige, and even darker siding colors like charcoal or navy.

For a more traditional look, a medium to dark brown stain — walnut, mahogany, or espresso — creates strong contrast against light-colored siding and reads as formal and intentional.

For a more contemporary or farmhouse exterior, a lighter natural cedar stain or a gray weathered stain works well against white, gray, or black siding.

One consideration: stain color affects how quickly the wood heats in direct sun. Darker stains absorb more heat, which can accelerate weathering in climates with intense sun exposure. A mid-tone stain is a good balance between visual warmth and longevity in sunny climates.

How Decorative Shutters Are Installed

Decorative shutters mount directly to the exterior wall on either side of the window, typically with screws driven through the shutter into the wall sheathing or siding. The goal is a flat, flush mount that looks as though the shutters belong to the house rather than sitting on top of it.

Key installation considerations:

• Gap from window frame: Mount shutters with a consistent gap from the window frame — typically 1/4 to 1/2 inch. Too close and the shutter looks crowded; too far and the visual connection to the window is lost.
• Vertical alignment: Shutters should be perfectly plumb. Use a level before driving any screws. A shutter that is even slightly off-plumb looks wrong immediately.
• Fasteners: Use exterior-rated screws or bolts. Standard interior screws will rust and fail outdoors. Stainless steel or coated exterior screws are the right choice.
• Sealant: Apply a bead of exterior caulk or sealant around the back edge of the shutter where it meets the siding. This prevents water from getting behind the shutter and sitting against the siding.

Maintaining Cedar Shutters

Cedar shutters with a quality stain finish require minimal maintenance. A visual inspection once a year is enough to catch any areas where the stain has faded, cracked, or peeled before they become a larger problem.

When the stain begins to look dull or the grain starts to gray, a light cleaning with a mild wood cleaner followed by a fresh coat of the same stain is all that is needed. Cedar accepts restaining without stripping in most cases, which makes maintenance quick and straightforward.

Avoid pressure washing cedar shutters at close range — the high pressure can raise the grain and damage the surface. A gentle rinse with a garden hose is sufficient for cleaning.

Shop Dogberry's cedar board and batten shutters — real cedar wood in a stained finish, sized to your windows, designed for lasting curb appeal.

Frequently Asked Questions

How wide should exterior shutters be?

Each shutter should be half the width of the window opening. A 36-inch window needs two shutters that are each 18 inches wide, so that if closed, they would cover the full window. This is the most common sizing mistake — shutters that are too narrow look out of proportion and cheap regardless of the material or finish.

Should exterior shutters match the window trim or the front door?

Stained wood shutters do not need to match painted trim or a painted front door because they are in a different material category. Natural cedar stain reads as a warm accent that complements most trim colors. If your front door is a stained wood finish, matching the shutter stain to the door creates a cohesive look. If the door is painted, the shutters can simply complement the overall palette.

How long do cedar exterior shutters last?

Well-maintained cedar shutters with a quality stain finish can last 20 years or more. Cedar's natural rot and insect resistance gives it a significant longevity advantage over pine or other wood species. The main maintenance requirement is restaining every 3 to 5 years as the finish weathers, which refreshes both the appearance and the wood protection.

Are decorative shutters worth it?

Yes. Exterior shutters are one of the most cost-effective curb appeal investments available. They frame windows, add depth and shadow to an otherwise flat facade, and give a home a finished, designed appearance. Real cedar shutters in particular add perceived value in a way that vinyl or composite alternatives do not.

How do you install decorative shutters on a brick house?

On brick, shutters mount with masonry anchors or tapcon screws rather than standard wood screws. Mark the drill points carefully, use a masonry bit to drill into the mortar joints (softer than the brick face and easier to repair if needed), set the anchors, and drive the screws. The shutter should sit flat against the brick face.

What is the difference between board and batten shutters and louvered shutters?

Board and batten shutters have vertical boards joined by horizontal or diagonal cross-pieces, creating a solid, rustic profile. Louvered shutters have angled horizontal slats (louvers) in a frame, creating a more traditional New England or colonial look. Board and batten works well on farmhouse, craftsman, and cottage-style homes. Louvered shutters suit colonial, Georgian, and formal traditional exteriors.

Want the full picture on styles, benefits, and installation? See our complete guide to exterior wood shutters.