For long-lasting, custom wood shutters, you're better off working with a specialty store. Expect to spend $20 to $45 per square foot for a custom job. Wood shutters will run you $200 to $350 per window, while composite shutters cost $80 to $200.
Plantation Shutter Prices
Plantation shutters cost $20 to $45 per square foot to install. Wood shutters cost $200 to $350 per window. Faux or composite shutters cost between $70 and $260. PVC or vinyl shutters cost $100 to $300 per window.
Plantation shutters add value to your house in several ways. Potential buyers will appreciate that shutters are energy efficient and can lower utility costs, making your house appear more appealing than homes without shutters. Buyers save money on energy bills throughout the year, making your property more desirable.
And they have the added bonus of lowering your utility bills in the colder months. With curtains or drapes, you have to consider the cost of expensive materials and dry-cleaning bills. Shutters are a fantastic investment as they offer a range of benefits that are cost-effective, including: Saving money on energy bills.
Shutters material and finish – There are three main types of plantation shutters based on material: composite or faux wood, painted wood, and stained wood. Composite and faux wood shutters are typically the cheapest option, while painted wood shutters fall somewhere in the middle in terms of price.
Basswood is now the most popular wood for shutters, outpacing pine and poplar. These can be painted and stained, and are light, flexible material that makes them good for a variety of designs. However, they're not moisture resistant and they cost more than synthetic shutters.
Vinyl/Polymer Window Shutters
These window shutters are lightweight and durable. They come in a range of colors and styles and can last long with proper care. Vinyl is hollow, while polymer shutters are not, so polymer shutters will last considerably longer for up to several decades.
The plastic look of vinyl and the smooth exterior is challenging to match to décor styles and is different from other real wood or faux wood products. Though they might be among the most affordable, vinyl shutters offer the least durability among non-wood treatments. Heat also affects vinyl easily.
Do all houses need shutters? Absolutely not, and many, many houses would look much better without shutters, rather than with “today's” shutters. What do we mean by that? For starters, many shutters today serve no purpose, other than to add an accent color, and to fill in space around windows.
A lot of people put exterior shutters on their windows to dress up their houses. They want to add curb appeal, especially if they are trying to sell their homes.
Shutters can last anywhere from 10 to 20+ years, depending on what they are made of and how often they are used.
Because they're made from sturdier, higher-quality materials, they add an element of sophistication and elegance to a room. Standard blinds can experience numerous issues, such as broken strings, broken louvers and color fading.
Exterior Home Shutters
A single pair costs, on average, between $25 and $1,200, depending on the materials. Installation typically requires two hours of labor, at an average charge between $65 and $100 per hour, for a total cost between $155 and $1,400.
Shutters have been in style for many years and show no sign of going out of style any time soon. While one style of shutters might not suit your property, there will be another style that will. There is a wide range available: plantation shutters, louvered shutters, café shutters, and many more.
Note that in many cases, the windows are wider than the shutters, and it would be impossible to install conventional swinging shutters to cover that window. Shutters are merely a decorative feature used to make the windows look bigger.
Shutters should be avoided on double-mulled windows, picture windows, bay windows, and most dormer windows. Can't afford to replace the shutters? Simply adding shutter hardware is a little detail that goes a long way. A home with properly sized shutters.
If the setting will be wet or humid then vinyl shutters are a more practical option, whereas a living room won't require the same level of durability, and stained or painted hardwood shutters will be ideal, although, of course, there's absolutely nothing to stop you choosing vinyl shutters for a living room, as this ...
One of the reasons that exterior shutters have remained popular for so long is their versatility. They can be designed to suit a wide range of architectural styles, from classic to modern. This flexibility has allowed shutters to remain popular, even as other home design elements come and go.
Plantation shutters will allow light seep between louvres and also between the panel and the frame. However, this is often less light than other conventional window dressings and most clients will be pleasantly surprised at the increase in darkness which can be quite dramatic.
Curtains with shutters work best when the curtain pole is raised higher than your window frame and when they fall floor length. Don't be afraid of pairing shutters with curtains. While it might seem like an unusual style choice, with a little consideration it can be a fabulous and elegant feature of any room.
But of course, one size does not fit all, and there a few things to consider when deciding the best shutter louver size. 3 ½” shutter slats are the most popular choice.
Cheaper plantation shutters are made from low-quality materials, including vinyl and composite, and are often hollow. In addition to yellowing, they may also be more susceptible to warping, cracking or chipping.
When you compare exterior shutters, vinyl shutters are generally regarded as a less authentic, yet less expensive option. Most vinyl shutters have a molded wood grain surface to provide texture and depth. However, the synthetic material still does have a plastic-like appearance when inspected closely.