6 Types of Exterior Shutters and How to Choose the Right Ones

Exterior shutters serve a greater purpose than enhancing a home's exterior. Though that's one of our favorite things about shutters, these home essentials are also meant for privacy, airflow, and protection against inclement weather.

If you're in the middle of building or renovating a home, you're likely aware that there are various types of shutters to choose from. How do you know which one is best? In this guide, we're breaking down the 6 types of exterior shutters and how to make sure you select the right type for your home's needs.

Meet the Expert

Samantha Bailey is part of The Design Shop, the interior design partner of New Leaf Custom Homes in Dallas, Texas.

Louvered Shutters

Best For: Privacy and design

Louvered shutters have horizontal, angled slats going down the center. This type of shutter is designed to sit on the sides of your window and allow light or air into your home without having to completely swing open the panel. Louvered shutters have a traditional style that comes in a variety of slat sizes from 2 1/2 inches-4 1/2 inches. If you want your home's exterior to appear times and classic, louvered shutters are the best option.

You will find louvered shutters in a range of materials consisting of solid wood, vinyl, aluminum, and composite. Although they're lightweight and hollow (making them perfect to lift and install), they're extremely resilient to weather and moisture. A solid wood set of louvered shutters is going to offer you the most durability, but they are also going to cost. Louvered shutters range in price from $70-$300+.

Board & Batten Shutters

Best For: Aesthetics and protection

Board and batten shutters have an appearance reminiscent of the country or cottage settings. They are simple in design with at least three boards sitting side by side vertically with another smaller board (the batten) going across them horizontally. The batten boards can go straight across or sit at an angle for a unique design.

This type of shutter is typically made with wood or composite materials, which means they are ultra-durable. The composite material is resistant to moisture and termites, which keeps your boards from rotting quickly. This type of shutter ranges in cost from $600-$200+.

Flat Panel Shutters

Best For: Everyday use

A flat panel shutter is more sleek and, as the name suggests, flat compared to others. It's great for modern homes since it has a basic appearance but still elevates the home's exterior. A flat panel shutter comes in a variety of trim options for you to customize to your preference, and they're made with composite wood or fiberglass.

Since they are combined with wood and vinyl materials, they're durable enough to withstand strong weather that won't damage its appearance. These shutters can range in price from $50-$200.

Raised Panel Shutters

Best For: Everyday use

Unlike flat panel shutters, raised panel shutters have an interior that's elevated with beveled edges. The raised interior gives these panels their signature looks that are both modern and classic. Raised panel shutters are made with the same wood and vinyl materials as flat panel shutters, so their durability is intact. You can find raised panel shutters ranging from $50-$200 as well.

Bahama & Bermuda Shutters

Best For: Aesthetics and storm protection

Bahama, sometimes called Bermuda, shutters look exactly like louvered shutters but are placed in a different area. While louvered shutters are meant to go on the sides, Bahama shutters go on the top portion of a window. They have a beachy look and can be found on most beach or coastal homes, though they certainly fit in well for ranch-style homes, too.

Bahama shutters are angled down at the windows to provide the air and breeze through the slats. Since these windows mimic the louvered style, there are solid wood options for extreme durability, or you can find aluminum counterparts. The aluminum options are still durable for outside placement, and these shutters cost over $500 as well, depending on material and size.

Hurricane Shutters

Best For: Storm protection

Hurricane shutters are designed to cover a window entirely when a hurricane or powerful storm rolls in to protect your home. These types of shutters come in a variety of styles to either roll down the top of your window or go across. You can even find Bahama shutters to serve as hurricane shutters as long as they come with bolts to keep the shutters locked in place before the storm arrives.

Typically, hurricane shutters are made with ultra-strong materials such as aluminum or steel since they can withstand strong winds. You can expect to spend around $500 for hurricane shutters.

How to Choose the Right Shutters for Your Home

There are a few main considerations when choosing the right shutters for your home: aesthetic, budget, and durability. While Bailey likes to assist clients by starting off with the aesthetic part of the shutters, she provides an important reminder when selecting exterior shutters.

"The shutter style we choose should most certainly coordinate with the exterior of the home," she says. "They should absolutely match the style of the home, whether it’s a modern or traditional home."

Know the Intention

Along with style, Bailey says a key part of selecting shutters for your exterior is to be strategic with the intention. "Often, shutters are strictly for decoration, but they should appear as if they are functional," she says.

When it comes to picking the right size, Bailey notes that shutters should match the height of the window or be slightly taller, and the width of each should be half the window of space allowed.

Keep Budget in Mind

While we all want the prettiest shutters to complement our exterior, there is a budget to keep in mind. Solid wood shutters will be the most expensive, and composite or poly material is the least expensive material. Some composite shutters will even come pre-finished for longevity and minimal maintenance.

"Budget might come into consideration next," Bailey says. "My favorite styles included louvered, shaker, paneled, and board and batten."

Consider Storm Protection

If you live somewhere where hurricanes or strong-winded storms are a common occurrence, you would benefit from the protective hurricane shutters to keep your windows intact. The best way to find the absolute best shutters for your home is to consult a professional who can narrow down the right choice between your style preferences, budget, and safety needs.

How to Install Hurricane Shutters

Read the original article on The Spruce.