Exterior shutters can instantly improve curb appeal and refresh the style of your home — whether you’re looking to attract potential buyers or want to enjoy the benefits yourself. Today, there are lots of options when it comes to exterior DIY shutters, so it’s important to take some time to weigh the pros and cons of each. After all, you want your investment to not only last, but to look beautiful for years to come.
At Dogberry, we know a thing or two about exterior shutters and what characteristics can set them apart from the crowd. Keep reading to learn which features you need to consider when shopping for exterior shutters for your home. Or, make things easy and shop our collection — one of the best-rated on the market!
6 Things to Weigh When Shopping for Wood Shutters
Material
When it comes to wood shutters, not all are created equal. Make sure the shutters you’re considering are made of high-quality wood, such as cedar or redwood, which are known for their durability and resistance to rot and insects. Our Western Red Cedar wood ages beautifully over time and requires little maintenance to prevent cracks, rot, or other unsightly issues.
Style
Make sure the style of the shutters complements the architecture of your home. For instance, if your home is built in the modern farmhouse style, ultra-contemporary shutters will probably look out of place. In the same way, a modern house design won’t jive well with barn door-inspired Z or X shutters.
To make things easier, take a photo of the outside of your home and refer to it frequently when browsing exterior window shutters. A good rule of thumb to prevent design confusion is to make sure your shutters work well with the style of your front door and garage door.
Size
With shutters, accurate measurements are critical. Measure (and then re-measure) the windows you plan to install shutters on to ensure a proper fit. Because wood shutters are large and bulky to ship, you want to avoid having to return them due to a measuring error. (In some cases, custom shutters may not be eligible for return; do yourself a favor and spend time guaranteeing you get this part right!) Exterior shutters’ height should line up against the window completely, and their width should look proportional to the window size.
Finish
Think about the stain or paint color that will best complement your home’s color scheme. If you know the accent color of your front door, garage door, or roof, consider searching for “unfinished” exterior window shutters that you can paint for a perfect match. Or, if you know you want to embrace the real wood grain look, try to find a stain that fits in the same color family as the rest of your exterior finishes.
At Dogberry, we offer six color options ranging from Dirty Blonde to Provincial Blue, as well as an Unfinished option that’s ready for your own paint or stain.
Hardware
Check whether or not the shutters come with quality mounting hardware; if not, you’ll need to buy some at your local home improvement store. If mounting hardware is included, check to make sure it will work on your home’s exterior surface (whether that be stone, brick, stucco, or siding).
Installation
Finally, consider the installation process for DIY exterior shutters. Do you feel confident installing the shutters yourself? What level of DIY expertise is recommended by the manufacturer? If hanging shutters is intimidating, or you have a home exterior that requires hanging shutters at a greater height, you may want to price out what professional installation would cost. However, for most homeowners, DIY installation could and should be attainable. Just double-check that the shutters come with clear instructions, hardware, and a customer service support line.
Shop Dogberry Collection for Exterior Board and Batten Shutters
Now that you know what to look for in exterior window shutters, save yourself time and energy by finding shutters that check all the boxes at Dogberry! We have perfected the DIY exterior shutter by offering the highest quality product with the most approachable installation process. Shop our wood shutters now and choose between our four popular styles.