by Beth Vaccaro

Created on: June 20, 2008   Last Updated: March 10, 2012

Nothing seems to complete the picture of a home like the classic look of wooden shutters. Whether you own a Gable or a beach cottage, custom made wood shutters can compliment any home. Choosing styles from the Bermuda shutter or a brightly painted shutter with recessed panels, wood shutters can add a traditional appeal that vinyl can't match. Where the phrase "Vinyl is final" does have some truth in regards to low maintenance, the only real purpose vinyl shutters serve is to give the illusion of wooden ones. With the many benefits wooden shutters have to offer why not skip the illusion and get the real thing.

• Storm Protection

Not only do wooden shutters provide curb appeal, in the larger scheme of things their functionality provides protection from inclement weather, harsh sunrays, and nosy neighbors (assuming you have those!). Many have forgotten that shutters serve a purpose beyond decoration, but can also be vital to protecting your windows and home during severe storms. If your home is at jeopardy of being hit by hurricanes, tornadoes, or blizzards you would benefit greatly from installing shutters; quick and easy to close, shutters act as a barrier to flying debris which could break through your windows, not only causing damage to hour home, but also
putting your family at risk to injury.

• Energy Savings

Wooden shutters can also cut your heating expenses down. In today's economy, the cost of heating your home is going through the roof. Closing your shutters improves the insulating qualities of your windows by breaking down the airflow and reducing any drafts.

Shutters can reduce your cooling costs as well, providing protection against the hot sun in the summer months. While the sun's warmth is welcomed and much appreciated during the winter, it can be your worst enemy in the summer. It's harsh rays beaming through your windows can quickly heat your home to unbearable temperatures, driving you to turn up the air conditioning along with your electric bill. Functional wood shutters prevent the glaring sun from turning up the heat, maintaining a cool, comfortable home, not to mention keeping cost down.

• Security/Privacy

If curb appeal, storm protection, and energy savings aren't enough to convince you, perhaps added security and privacy will. Hostile natives may not be as much a threat today as in the 17th century, but the ability to both shut and lock your shutters provides an additional deterrent to home intruders such as burglars. Installing a bolt and latch is fairly simple and there are a variety of styles you can choose from giving you security with style!

Finally, what happens in your home should stay in your home. Most every neighborhood has its busy body, so if you want to prevent your Gladys Kravitz from peeking in your windows, here's a simpler solution than wiggling your nose; close your shutters! If you like to paint in the nude or walk around your house in your skibbies, do it with peace of mind; your secrets are safe with shutters!

Though the price of installing custom wood shutters is typically higher than that of plastic or vinyl, the benefits outweigh the cost, and in this case you definitely get what you pay for.

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