Photography by Kevin A. Roberts
Jeff Wolf could talk about shutters for hours. He and his wife, Trish, own St. Louis Shutter (314-807-3066, stlouisshutter.com). After more than 15 years in business, he can identify every detail of a failing exterior shutter from the street. As he points out, materials are important, but so is the design.
• Wood is the old standby, but it’s not all created equal. You want something that is stronger than it is heavy, so the material will stay straight.
• If you’re not sure what you want in a shutter, look at some pictures to get a feel for different panel widths. Also, consider how much light, visibility, and ease of use you want. The classic shutter look is two panels over a window with a tilted rod.
• Paint matching is important to make the shutter look intentional… And getting exterior shutters put on hinges helps make maintenance easier.
• The width of the louvers can change the feel of the room: A thinner louver gives the room a dressier feel, and a thicker louver gives the room a casual feel. Right now, thicker louvers are trending. If the room is already decorated, then think about the vibe of the decor that’s already in the room.
• Even the very best paint will fade in the sun after 10 years. Have a professional put more paint on exterior shutters every five to seven years. Water and snow sit on top of the shutter, and water runs off the bottom, so grab a roller and get some paint on the tops and bottoms in the meantime.
• The sun and plastic don’t mix—plastic will melt. Cedar is a good choice for exterior shutters because it’s bug- and weather-resistant, long-lasting, and can be repainted. The paint soaks into the wood and creates a self-sealing system… Inside, a bathroom’s humidity keeps wood from drying out.
• Shutters have become a commodity, but they shouldn’t have. You can make an $8,000 investment or a $6,000 mistake. You want your shutters to look the same in 50 years.
