by Colette Georgii

Created on: June 20, 2008   Last Updated: June 30, 2008

The Benefits of Custom Exterior Wooden Shutters

Exterior wooden shutters are the most affordable and they are the most attractive. You can match wood with the overall wood decor of your property, be it fencing, outdoor furniture, or wood decks and trim.

What are some of the great benefits of Exterior Wooden Shutters?

- High Durability. Wood can last a long time especially cedar and redwood.

- Protection against extreme weather. . Wood is the most resistant to severe storm conditions such as wind, rain, hail, and heavy rain. It can take a beating.

- Moderates interior home temperature. This contributes to lesser heating and cooling costs with greater energy savings.

- Most are custom made. Most wood shutters are custom made. They can be carved and designed to your exact specifications. They can be painted or stained to match the overall architectural decor of the building.

- Can accent period Architecture. Since they can be carved they can be made as exact replicas of Colonial, Brownstone, Victorian, or Gothic architecture.

- You can choose your type of wood. Western Red Cedar and Redwood are the most common picks for customizable wooden shutters.

Why Western Red Cedar and Redwood. Here are some of the benefits of these quality woods:

Western Red Cedar:

- Resistance to the Elements

- Most desirable wood used in shutters

- It can be stained or painted.

- It is a strong solid wood.

- Withstands hurricane winds, heavy rainfall, and extreme heat.

- It is a tougher and more durable choice than pine, sycamore, or chestnut.

Redwood:

- Withstands the environmental elements

- Used most often in decks, fences, outdoor furniture.

- Aesthetic. Redwood is naturally attractive and only needs staining but can also be used without stained to create the weathered look.

- Contains qualities not found in other woods, which are usually chemically treated. Redwood is naturally resistant to shrinking and warping (stays flat and straight).

- Durability. It is the most durable wood and will look better than other woods ten to twenty years after installing.

- Resistant to decay and insects.

- Little or no pitch or resins. Enables redwood to absorb and retain all types of finishes extremely well.

- It is lightweight, easy to saw, shape, and drill.

- Holds finishes better than other wood.

Other woods used in wood shutters are Cypress, Basswood, Cherry, Mahogany, Maple and Pine.

Cypress is also a good wood for shutters. It resists warping, nails and screws very well, glues well, sands easily, and readily accepts a finish.

So if you are going to install exterior wood shutters look for the very best and you will have attractive shutters for years to come that will not only increase your property value but give you added security in the knowledge that you are protected from storm and severe weather.

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