Posted by Matt Moeller
on May 04, 2026
Quick Answer: exterior wood shutters come in four main styles: board and batten, raised panel, louvered, and Bahama. Board and batten shutters are the most popular choice for farmhouse, craftsman, and colonial homes. Real wood shutters last 20 or more years when properly painted or stained and sealed.
exterior wood shutters have been framing windows for centuries - and for good reason. They add depth, character, and architectural detail that no other exterior upgrade can match at the same price point. Whether you're refreshing a farmhouse, a craftsman, a ranch, or a colonial, the right pair of shutters can transform how your home looks from the street.
Here's everything you need to know before you buy.
A Brief History of Wood Shutters
Wooden shutters predate glass windows - they were originally built for function, controlling light, airflow, temperature, and privacy before modern home construction made those jobs easier. Ancient Greek homes used marble shutters on their finest buildings. By the Tudor period in the sixteenth century, wooden shutters had become a staple across Europe and eventually the American colonies.
Today, exterior shutters serve a different purpose. Modern homes handle insulation and light control from the inside. exterior wood shutters are now primarily architectural - framing windows, adding visual weight to walls, and giving a home a finished, intentional look that flat siding alone can't achieve.
Why Western Red Cedar?
Not all exterior shutters are built the same. Dogberry uses Cedar for every shutter - a species naturally resistant to moisture, decay, and insects without requiring chemical treatment. It holds stain evenly, weathers gracefully, and outlasts vinyl and composite alternatives that warp, fade, and crack over time.
The Four Styles of Dogberry Board & Batten Shutters
Board and batten shutters - sometimes called B&B shutters - are made from vertical boards held together by horizontal pieces called battens. The style of those battens is what distinguishes each design.
Traditional Three horizontal battens run symmetrically across the boards for a clean, timeless look. The most versatile style in the lineup - works on farmhouses, cottages, colonials, cape cods, craftsman homes, and everything in between.
Horizontal Slat Boards run horizontally with no visible batten, creating a lighter, more modern profile. A strong choice for contemporary homes, coastal cottages, and any exterior where clean lines matter.
Z-Bar A single diagonal batten creates the Z shape across each shutter. Rustic and distinctive, this style adds warmth and character to craftsman, ranch, and country homes without feeling overstated.
X-Bar Two diagonal battens form a bold X across the shutter - the most eye-catching design of the four. Especially popular on farmhouses, cabins, and lodge-style homes where architectural character is the goal.
5 Reasons to Add exterior wood shutters to Your Home
1. Instant Curb Appeal Wood shutters frame each window, break up flat wall surfaces, and give your home's exterior a layered, finished appearance. The impact is visible from the street the moment they go up.
2. Increased Home Value Shutters are one of the most cost-effective exterior upgrades available. Enhanced curb appeal helps homes sell faster and at stronger prices - a meaningful return on a straightforward investment.
3. Depth and Visual Balance Shutters add height and weight to window openings, visually balancing your home's facade. Without them, windows can look like holes punched in a wall. With them, every window becomes an intentional architectural feature.
4. Works With Any Home Style Dogberry shutters complement farmhouses, craftsman homes, cape cods, French country, Mediterranean, Spanish colonial, Italianate, and ranch-style homes. With four styles and six finishes, there's a combination that works for virtually any exterior.
5. Easy DIY Installation in an Afternoon Every Dogberry shutter order includes all mounting hardware and a 7-step installation guide. No contractor needed, no special tools required. Most homeowners hang a full set in a single afternoon - making this one of the fastest exterior upgrades available.
Six Ready-to-Install Finishes
Dogberry shutters arrive pre-stained and ready to hang:
Coffee Brown · Dirty Blonde · Provincial Blue · Slate Black · Stone Gray · Whitewash
Prefer a custom color? Order unfinished and stain or paint to match your exact exterior. Western Red Cedar takes paint and stain exceptionally well, so the finished result looks intentional and precise.
Find the Right Shutters for Your Home
Dogberry board and batten shutters are available in eight sizes from 36" to 84" tall, covering standard and oversized windows. All styles ship from the USA for fast delivery.
Browse the full range of exterior wood shutters at Dogberry Collections - including board and batten, horizontal slat, X, and Z styles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do exterior wood shutters need to be the same width as the window?
Yes - each shutter should be half the width of the window opening so that when closed, both shutters together would fully cover the window. A common mistake is installing shutters that are too narrow, which looks out of proportion even when open.
How long do exterior wood shutters last?
Properly painted and sealed exterior wood shutters last 20 or more years. The key factors are complete sealing of all edges and end grain during installation and repainting every 3 to 5 years to prevent moisture penetration.
Can exterior wood shutters be installed without drilling into brick?
Yes. Shutter locks and shutter dogs (decorative hardware that holds shutters open) can be used on brick and masonry without drilling into the brick face. You can also use a specialized masonry anchor if direct attachment is preferred.
Are wood shutters better than vinyl shutters?
Real wood shutters have a more authentic look and feel, hold paint better, and are more structurally rigid than vinyl. Vinyl shutters are lower maintenance but can warp, fade, and crack over time, and they lack the dimensional depth of real wood.
