Top 10 Home Maintenance Tips

A stitch in time saves nine or as Ben Franklin famously said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Nowhere are these axioms more true than when it comes to home maintenance. As we often say here at USAExterior.com, your home is likely your largest investment but we often don’t treat it as such. This week we list for you our top 10 home maintenance tips.

1. Replace air conditioner/furnace filters quarterly or as recommended by the manufacturer. This increases efficiency and saves energy costs!

2. Vacuum the coils of your refrigerator at least once a year. This is one of the most neglected maintenance items but also one of the most important as it will save energy and extend the life of your appliance.

3. Test and lubricate your garage door monthly. Make sure that it reverses properly with when obstructed and lubricate the chain with a standard chain lube.

4. Flush your water heater annually. This will clear out any mineral deposits, increasing efficiency and extending the life of your water heater.

5. Clean your gutters twice a year. Clogged gutters can cause water damage to your home.

6. Check your fire extinguisher annually! A fire extinguisher with no pressure is useless.

7. Clean out your dryer vent, no not the lint screen, the exterior vent. This will increase efficiency and longevity and prevent any possible fire hazard. You can do this by removing the vent entirely or by vacuuming it.

8. Replace the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide testers every year.

9. Have your chimney cleaned and inspected annually.

10. Check all outlets to make sure they have power. If any are not working we recommend hiring an electrician to fix them as faulty connections could be a fire hazard. Also, make sure all GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) outlets are working by pressing the test button.

Bonus tip: Check your doorbell. It’s amazing how many doorbells don’t work and if you’re trying to sell your home nothing says, “This home has not been cared for” to a visiting prospective buyer like a broken doorbell.

And finally, put these items on your calendar so they won’t be missed.

The World of Windows

The Turkish poet, Mehmet Murat Ildan, wrote that “The magic of the window is not in itself but in the view it shows outside!” And while this may be true in the world of poetry where windows are oft waxed eloquently of, in the universe of curb appeal, home security and energy conservation, the window itself matters a great deal.

Window replacement is not cheap with the average current cost coming in at about $500 per window. At that level of financial commitment, you will want to be sure to make a wise choice regarding both the form and function of your new windows. But that can be a dizzying proposition where the sheer quantity of options (Homestratosphere.com lists 27 different styles windows) can end up making you feel like a 5-year-old standing in the supermarket aisle trying to choose a breakfast cereal.

In this week’s blog we narrow it down to the 4 primary window styles and the 4 main materials used in modern windows.

Styles:

1. Double-Hung Windows are the most popular window style largely due to the traditional look they provide. The upper and lower sashes both move, the lower inside sash slides up and an upper outside sash slides down. This allows for easy cleaning, installation of screens and the use of window air conditioners. Double-Hung windows are not as air-tight as other styles

2. Casement-Style Windows are hinged at the side and open outwardly with the use of a hand crank. These windows provide excellent ventilation when open as well as seal air-tight when closed. They don’t vary as much in style as double-hung windows and window air conditioners cannot be used with them.

3. Awning-Style Windows open outward like casements but they are hinged at the top. The sash for this style presses against the frame, so they close very tightly.

4. Picture Windows/Fixed Windows don’t open and are used when the entrance of light or the view and not ventilation is important. These windows are airtight and come in many shapes and sizes.

Materials:

1. Wood windows are the traditional style and have dominated the market until recently when they have increasingly become a niche market. Their aesthetic appeal, classic look and durability continue to make them a top option but they require more maintenance and are more costly than other options.

2. Vinyl windows have taken over top spot from wood as the style and color options have increased. For years, glossy white was the only choice and as these windows cannot be painted that limited their use. These windows are cheaper than wood and require very little maintenance.

3. Aluminum windows are similar in versatility and durability to vinyl windows. They don’t rust, shrink or fade but they are more expensive than vinyl and are not efficient as insulators.

4. Fiberglass windows are the most durable and the best insulators. They can also be re-painted and are sound resistant. They are however the most expensive option.

A comment on brands… in my research for this blog Anderson and Pella windows were in the top two of every rating site I looked at with Milgard always making the top five.

Let’s Talk About Water Drainage

This topic isn’t sexy or exciting like choosing color combinations, enhancing curb appeal or creating outdoor living spaces to take advantage of long summer days. But believe me, if you neglect thinking through water drainage options none of those other fun topics will matter as you may end up with anything from water stains to black mold or even a damaged foundation. What option you choose depends on the amount of rainfall in your area, the location of the drain and thus the aesthetics of it and finally whether your home has a basement or any partially subterranean area.

1. Grading Drainage

If you are building a new home this option should be a priority to discuss with the builder. Many builders forget about the grade around the house in their preoccupation with the brick and mortar of the house. Make sure you discuss water drainage and lot grading with your contractor! If you are experiencing standing water or water drainage in the wrong direction or into an element of an existing home, grading may still be an option although it can be expensive and one of the following solutions is likely a better option.

2. Gutters

Gutters, the aluminum or vinyl channels along the roof’s edge, are essential to any home in areas of high rainfall with saturated soil or poor grating. They are economical and simple to install, providing excellent drainage of rain water exiting your roof. The key question to be considered when installing gutters is where you want the final exit of the water to be. Make sure to discuss this with your installation professional.

3. Channel Drains

This drainage option can be thought of as an underground gutter system where a trench is dug and a form of gutter is place into the trench with a grating system as a cover over the channel. Channel drains are cheap and very effective in areas where the ground is easily saturated or where pooling occurs. The only real drawback to channel drains is the aesthetic as you may not want a metal grate cutting across your lawn.

4. French Drains

French drains are an American invention that came from the agriculture industry and are similar to a channel drain but are not visible as they have no exterior grate. A perforated pipe is laid in the trench before the trench is filled with gravel. A layer of protective permeable fabric is laid on top of the gravel which is covered in soil and sod or whatever material the surrounding area consists of. These drains work just like a channel drain although can require more maintenance as they may, at times, fill with silt or debris.

5. Sump Pump

A sump pump system is in a category all by itself but is a must for basements or subterranean living spaces! A trench is dug around the entire interior perimeter of the home, sloping toward the lowest corner where a sump pump is installed. A perforated pipe is placed in the trench and covered with a filter system, usually gravel, before being sealed with concrete. Water that seeps past the foundation or over the footers of the home is thus filtered down to the pump and then pumped out of the house. Most of these systems are guaranteed for the life of the home and are a small price to pay to avoid water damage and/or mold.

As always, feel free to contact us with any questions you may have regarding any of these water drainage options.

Flooring Options – Pros and Cons

Our homes are our castles, our most private spaces, where we get to dictate the look and the feel that suits our own personal style and function. That look and feel for most of us is ever evolving with the times, whether it be our own changing tastes or an ever-deepening understanding of the endless design possibilities. Changing the drapes, repainting a room in a new color or even transforming a space with new light fixtures are all doable and not too costly but when it comes to flooring, that’s altogether another matter.

Because of the cost and permanence of most flooring options as well as the enormous disruption to our daily lives if we do have to make a change, it’s exceedingly important to choose the right option. In this week’s blog we will give you a summary of the options with their benefits and drawbacks.

1. Hardwood

This timeless classic comes in many styles and colors, narrow to broad boards, rustic to high-gloss finish and colors ranging from blond to chocolate brown. Wood floors add warmth and style and because they aren’t as hard as some other options they are also comfortable. But perhaps the greatest benefit is the value that a quality hardwood floor can add quite a bit of value to your home. Among the drawbacks of this classic is that the upkeep can be costly and time consuming. They are also susceptible to water damage if you ever have a water leak.

2. Laminate

Laminate has come a long way since its early days as a poor attempt at imitating hardwood. Today’s offerings are difficult to distinguish from the classic option, can also replicate the look of tile or stone, require less maintenance, are far cheaper and more durable. The primary drawback is that the plywood or fiberboard used to make laminate is susceptible to water damage.

3. Engineered Wood

This option is made by adding a thin veneer of real wood on top of a plywood base. As the veneer is actual wood it has the same look as hardwood flooring but is much cheaper and, if you have a DIY bent, you can even install it yourself. It is not as durable as Laminate or hardwood and will eventually have to be replaced.

4. Vinyl

If you think of 1980s glossy linoleum when you hear vinyl flooring, we’ve got news for you. Like laminate, vinyl options and quality have developed into some stunning offerings with a tile, stone or wood look. It comes in squares or planks that are peel and stick or clickable with a cushioned underlayer that adds a softer more comfortable feel. Vinyl is economical and installation costs are low with its main drawback being durability as it comes in under tile and hardwood.

5. Ceramic Tile

Tile now comes in myriad styles, colors and materials from slate and porcelain to terracotta. Tile is easy to clean, not affected by water leaks and varies in durability and required maintenance. The more durable options are the harder materials which results in the biggest drawback of tile being that tile is not as comfortable to walk.

6. Carpet

Carpet is warm and cozy, the most comfortable flooring to walk on and comes in an almost endless variety of styles and colors. As we all know, carpet traps dirt, dust and grime and requires more regular maintenance that other options. Its durability depends both on how you maintain it and that thickness of the material.

As we always say here at USA Exterior, know your options and enjoy the process of making your home your castle.

Being proud of your home’s curb appeal is a great feeling that we at USAExterior.com find joy in helping you achieve. One of the best cost-effective ways to highlight your house and improve its style is to add shutters. As we wrote in our previous blog entitled, Enhancing Your Home with Exterior Shutters, “Whether you’re trying to sell your home or merely express your own sense of style, shutters are a great way to make your curb appeal pop and catch the eye of both your neighbors and online house hunters.”

Board and Batten shutters are one of the oldest styles of shutters on the market and yet they are trending again! Board and Batten style shutters can be utilitarian with hinges and latches for increased security and safety or they may be purely decorative but either way they are the perfect choice when you want to create a rustic or relaxed feel.

These shutters consist of two main components. The vertical slats are called Boards and the horizontal ones that hold the Boards together are called Battens. Today’s market offers a range of shutter styles with different widths and numbers of Boards and Battens. As a general rule, wider Boards and/or spaces between the Boards create a more rustic look while narrower ones that are joined with no spaces display a more refined style.

Styles range from two Boards and two Battens up to five Boards and three Battens with three Batten shutters coming in horizontal or barn style Z configuration. Arch Top shutter accent the contour of arched windows.

Materials range from high end Redwood or Cedar, more economical pine which are much cheaper but require ongoing maintenance, to modern and durable composite wood or vinyl materials.

If you like to work with your hands and your shutters are purely decorative, wood Board and Batten shutters can be a fairly simple DIY project. There are plenty of online resources to help you on such a product.

But with the extensive number of Board and Batten styles that may or may not combine with your home, it’s always a good idea to consult a professional about the options and what might best enhance your home.

Have fun adding shutters to your home and know that we are always here to help!

Our yards and gardens are often the highlights of the exterior presentation of our homes but most of us construct them rather haphazardly with little or no plan. This week we offer you some simple structured plans for your landscaping and maintenance.

Design is Important: Work from a master plan for your entire property. Take the time to sketch out how you envision the finished product and then tackle small projects within your budget, finishing each one completely before moving on to the next.

Layer Your Flower Beds: Layer your flower beds in three rows with the tallest plants in the back, a middle row with the next tallest and the shortest in the front. This simple structure will bring a professional look to your flower beds and display foliage and blooms in a way that highlights each plant and color.

Create an Edge: Use walkways, stones and pavers to create a natural edge to your flower beds. This allows for easier changes to the landscape and less maintenance over the long term.

Think About Year-Round Beauty: Mix evergreens, perennials and annuals for year-round appeal. Or if you live in a more tropical climate think about when each plant or flower blooms and mix them up to provide continuity to the colors of your garden.

Use Hard Landscape: Use fences, stones and walls to frame your yard. These are low maintenance options that provide structure that can frame and highlight both your landscaping and your entire property. One length of an antique wooden fence framing a mulched flower bed can transform your yard.

Time Savers: We often forget the simple things but mulch and tarps are two important ingredients to save you time in caring for your lawn. Group and mulch flower beds well to save time edging and weeding. Use tarps to remove leaves, weeds and debris.

Add an Outdoor Seating Area: This can be anything from a single park bench under a tree to a patio of pavers surrounded by flower beds. Outdoor living spaces enhance your home and your life.

In recent blogs we’ve talked a lot about transforming our yards into outdoor living spaces that both beautify and increase the utility of existing land, driven by the growing trends of outdoor dining rooms, lounge areas and the merging of indoor and outdoor spaces. These creative new exterior designs have naturally led to higher investment in outdoor fixtures and furniture, both in terms of quality and quantity. If you’re like me you’ve likely thrown away your share of brittle, sundried, outdoor chairs or those poolside couch cushions now darkened with mold.

New styles have brought creative quality to outdoor furniture and we can no longer afford for them be ruined by the summer sun, dusty winds or tropical levels of humidity. In this week’s blog we share with you tips to preserve the furniture of your outdoor living spaces.

1. The most important tip is also the simplest: clean your outdoor furniture! Dust, sand and mud are the enemies of your furnishings. Dirt is abrasive and acts as a sort of sandpaper, slowly damaging the protective finishes. Secondly, dirt traps moisture on the surface and whether that be fabric, metal, wood or plastic sustained contact with moisture will damage your furniture. Begin with a soft brush and then clean with a light soapy solution, avoiding concentrated or abrasive cleaners. For Wicker furniture use a vacuum to suck the dirt out of the woven material and crevices.

2. Mold and mildew are not your friends! Cleaning your furniture regularly will prevent most mold and mildew but if they begin to take root, more serious measures will be necessary. Most hardware or construction supply stores now sell echo-friendly mold and mildew cleaners that are not harsh. It’s still recommended that you wear a mask and gloves while using these liquids. For fabric and wood some fine sandpaper can be a useful tool to remove surface mold.

3. Cover your furniture. The sun is powerful and will eventually deteriorate all plastics and fabrics. Covering your furniture when not in use will add years to their lifespans.

4. Protecting wood furniture is a category all to itself.

1. Paint is best. While not always the aesthetic we’re looking for, paint is the best long-term protection for wood furniture and it’s also the easiest to maintain.

2. Water sealants are excellent for preserving the quality and the look of unpainted wooden furniture.

3. Consider the location of your wood furniture. Any protection from rain and sun, an eave, a gazebo even the shade of a tree will increase the life wooden surfaces.

4. When possible cover your wood furniture when not in use.

5. Touch up painted furniture annually and add water sealant every two to three years.

Follow these steps and you will enjoy your outdoor living spaces for many summers to come!

Over the past 20 years, buying habits have been steadily changing. In the past year with the Covid-19 pandemic, that transformation in purchase habits have been kicked into overdrive. It was about 10 years ago that people found themselves purchasing online what they had already investigated and held in their hands physically at a brick and mortar retailer. That trend has now moved from buying more stuff online to even “window shopping” virtually by checking out all the available options from our smartphones. And since couples are now more likely to meet a romantic partner online than through personal contacts and connections, it goes without saying that your house needs to have an attractive online profile.

Online real estate sales have increased by 30% in the past 10 years and just like a dating site, the number one reason people click on a home for sale is because of it has a hot photograph of a good looking exterior and interior. Here are 5 cost effective ways to improve your online curb appeal for your home and real estate:

1. Most importantly, invest in professional photography. This should only cost you between $150 and $300 and can increase your sales price significantly.

2. Paint your front door. This can be just the eye-catching touch that will cause people to click on your profile.

3. Clean up and add to your landscaping. You wouldn’t add a dating profile pic with your hair in a mess so don’t do it with your home!

4. Pressure wash your home, driveways and walkways. We can become so used to the slight dinginess of our own homes that we’ve forgotten what’s under that dust and grime.

5. Do a mailbox makeover. Something as simple as a cute mailbox can be the hook that opens the online door to your home to the next potential buyer.

Here are some products that may help with your home improvement projects:

Mailbox Posts

Vents

Wall Mounts

Exterior Shutters

Planters

Window Boxes

Two things about exterior shutters that may seem obvious but not always reflected by what you see is #1, shutters DO NOT work on a window that does not have room for them, and #2, The illusion that you are trying to accomplish with decorative shutters (other than curb appeal) is to make them look like they could be functional. I know what you’re thinking… DUHHH! But you would be surprised at how many questions we get about sizing shutters correctly for a home, so we are going to give you a few tips and pointers about sizing and placement of your exterior shutters. Yes ladies and gentlemen, size matters!

If a window is too close to a corner, a shutter that is sized incorrectly can stick out beyond the edge of the house. On a house with siding, a shutter could even overlap the corner board. So what do you do when you have a window too close to the edge while all of the other windows have enough room for shutters? Some people put a smaller shutter on one side of the window and others install the shutter literally over the window to make it work. I however believe that it is better to have nothing than something that doesn't work. If the shutters do not fit DO NOT INSTALL THE SHUTTERS! There are so many other things in what I like to call the “Curb Appeal Toolbox” that you can use to make that window pop. Don’t get caught up with equilibrium and make every single window look the same. Install a window box and plant some beautiful flowers on that window along with a Trellis and BOOM! You just transformed not only that window, but also the curb appeal of your home and you didn’t need shutters that don't fit to do it.

Now what If windows are too close together? Shutter placement can also be difficult for windows within close proximity. The space on adjacent windows should be at least half the width of one shutter. The size of a window or group of windows determines the width and height of the shutters. This goes back to the illusion that you are trying to pull off with the decorative shutters. Ideally, the width of shutters used in pairs on windows should be half the width of the window, and both should be the same height of the window. Again, reach into your “Curb Appeal Toolbox”, there are some great things that you can do other than shutters. I also remind people that there are other types of shutters that can work in this situation like Bahama shutters. Unlike traditional shutters, Bahama shutters are installed above a window so you can easily install Bahama shutters instead if you like that look. You could also install a Sunburst accessory above the window to make it pop that is the same color as the shutters or trim on other windows.

So remember, shutters are a fantastic way to add curb appeal but that is only if they fit. Don’t force the issue, if there is not enough space on 1 window, simply use your “Curb Appeal Toolbox” and you can do something very creative and simple that will definitely make your home stand out.

Decorative hardware or functional hardware? That is the million dollar question. We all know shutters need to be attached to your home somehow, but how do you decide which option is best? Let’s walk through the options you will have when it comes to shutter installation and hardware to make the best decision for installation.

To begin, what do we mean by functional vs decorative? “Functional” means the shutters will be installed so that they can open and close like a door over your windows. “Decorative” simply means that they will be installed in a fixed position unable to open and close. Installation options start with the shutter material that you purchase. For example, vinyl shutters have a hollow cavity on the backside so they do not have the option of being functional, they can only be installed for decorative purposes. However, Wood Composite, Wood and Fiberglass shutters can be installed with either option. So if you are looking for functional shutters, you can automatically exclude vinyl shutters from your options.

When it comes to functional shutters, you have several options to choose from. Below you will find a breakdown of the types of hardware you will need for your shutters to be functional. Functionality requires a bit more hardware than decorative options but the tradeoff is that you will have an authentic and beautiful display around your windows that will certainly be an upgrade. Functional hardware consists of the following:

• Hinges (The hardware installed on shutter to fit on pintel)

• Pintels (What the hinges fit on that allows the shutter to open and close)

• Holdbacks (The hardware that holds the shutters in the open position)

Decorative hardware is much more simple when it comes to installation. For shutters excluding the vinyl material, all you will need are Fixed Mounting Brackets for installation. Many people ask “Why can't I just drill holes through the shutter to install”? There are a few reasons why we recommend you don’t drill through the face of these types of shutters:

• Drilling through these shutter materials may void the warranty

• By using Fixed Mounting Brackets, there will not be anything showing on the face of the shutters which will display a clean profile

• If done incorrectly, you may damage the shutters

For Vinyl Shutters, they will include all of the installation hardware required for installation and with these shutters, you can drill through the face of the shutters without compromising or damaging the shutters. These shutters will include the following hardware:

• 3” Metal Screws (same color as shutters)

• 3” Vinyl Fasteners (same color as shutters)

• Screw Head Caps (Optional: may depend on the brand of exterior shutters)

As you can see, there are several options to consider when it comes to shutter installation so make sure you take some time to think about your strategy before you make your purchase.

So you want to upgrade the look of your home and decide to add exterior shutters, now it’s time to decide what type of material you want and that is where things get a bit more interesting. Whether to choose Vinyl, Wood Composite, Wood or Fiberglass it can be a challenge if you have no frame of reference but no worries, we’ve got you covered!

We are going to provide you with a summary for each of the 4 most popular shutter materials from least expensive to most expensive on the market so that you can be better informed about them as you shop to make a decision on the best shutters for your home.

VINYL

Exterior Vinyl Shutters are the most economical option when it comes to window dressing. They are a great cheap way to add some color and texture to your home exterior and a great alternative to more expensive and higher quality materials on the market. One of the great things about vinyl shutters is that they are molded with color throughout the product. They will include all of the installation hardware and have a lifetime warranty. Vinyl shutters have a woodgrain textured finish to mimic real wood and are lightweight for a simple install. The quality of these units varies widely. Better quality vinyl shutters will hold their shape and color longer as well. These shutters will not have an option to be functional because they are hollow on the backside.

WOOD COMPOSITE

Wood Composite shutters have a great combination of authenticity and durability. Their materials vary between companies, but they are often a combination of engineered wood, PVC and resin with a factory applied finish. Most people compare 100% Wood with Wood Composite and in my humble opinion, while Wood shutters are stunning, Wood Composite shutters are equally stunning WITHOUT the required maintenance. They do not break down like 100% wood nor do they require the upkeep on a regular basis. For that reason alone you will get great value and include a lifetime warranty. That is what I call a win!

WOOD

You cannot beat the authenticity of 100% wood shutters. Brand new you will be hard pressed to find a more beautiful shutter, But like any other wood product in the outdoors, wood shutters do not take the impact from the elements. They will suffer the most and worst with exposure to weather conditions, and as a result may require frequent repainting or replacement. Their beauty cannot be denied, but the durability has much to be desired in comparison with other materials.

FIBERGLASS

As we always like to say “Fiberglass is the King of the class”. When it comes to the total package of elegance, durability, flexibility and profile, fiberglass is the best of the best. With a lifetime warranty, you have nothing to worry about but quite honestly, with these shutters you will not even need the warranty. They are virtually indestructible. And when it comes to the smooth finishes, color options, installation and overall quality of fiberglass shutters, you simply will not find a better option. So if you are looking for the best possible option for exterior shutters, fiberglass is exactly what you are looking for.

Hopefully this provides you with a good foundation to begin with as you shop for window shutters to give you the curb appeal that you are looking for.

We are all price conscious aren't we? Let’s be honest, everyone is looking for the best value or the cheapest price for the things we want most. We want to talk about what you need to consider when trying to find the best price when shopping for home improvement products online.

There are many places which offer a “Lowest Pricing Guarantee” or “Price Matching”. You have probably also seen attractive promotions or sales to get your attention and provide discounts. You might look at a product that's being promoted on one website for a specific price and then see what looks to be the same product on another site, but in reality it isn't! And that's what so many people get wrong nowadays. Take your time and pay attention to the details.

You can only truly compare quotes or prices of products if the suppliers or websites are providing and showing you the EXACT SAME type of product. We cannot stress this enough. To find the best possible deal you need to ensure you can compare “like with like” meaning the exact same product.

This is something we come across on a regular basis so we wanted to take some time to break this down for you. Let’s use exterior shutters as an example. There are many different types of materials, styles and manufacturers for shutters. Furthermore, there are different types of installation hardware for these products. Once you have selected or have decided on which type of shutter you want for each window, make sure to ask the seller to quote on the exact same material, style and installation method. This is the #1 mistake people make when trying to capitalize on pricing promos.

For example...if a window shutter is quoted by one supplier or website to be a shutter made of solid red cedar with black hinges make sure the other website offers the shutter with exactly the same specs. Another common example is letting a supplier quote a window with an arch, while another supplier quotes that same window with a standard shutter. These seem very obvious but you would be surprised to know how many times we come across this.

To help simplify, make a list of all the things you are considering when making a purchase for a specific product especially while shopping online. If you are looking for exterior shutters, here is a list of things to consider when comparing pricing:

• Shutter Material (ie. Vinyl, Wood, Wood Composite, Fiberglass etc.)

• Finish to be put on the shutter (Painted, injection mold, wood grain etc.)

• Number of panels per opening (Is the pricing per pair or per individual shutter)

• Installation Hardware (Metal Screws, Vinyl Fasteners, Hinges, Fixed Mounting Brackets etc.)

• Warranties

• Return Policy

You might be thinking to yourself... I am online and looking into product descriptions or product pages and don't see all of this information! Is that a bad thing? Does that mean the store is hiding something?

The answer is no, not necessarily. The target market of most ecommerce stores are home owners and to a certain point contractors which work for homeowners. Both of them are given basic information when it comes to shutters but also have the opportunity to contact a salesperson or consultant specialized in the product so you can make the best possible decision and make your selection that fits your budget.

A well chosen and installed exterior shutter for your windows can be a great finishing touch to your home, regardless if you live in the countryside, the suburbs or a busy city. Well selected exterior shutters will increase your home's curb appeal and ultimately your home value.

Big box retail stores attract individual consumers due to convenience, and while they do have a larger assortment of different products, when it comes to exterior shutters, they typically do not have a large selection of styles & colors. You want to find people who specialize in ´MATCHING THE RIGHT SHUTTER´ to your home, instead of focusing on mass marketing several different home improvement products.

Having a large selection of styles and colors is all nice & good, but at the end of the day it is up to the homeowner or contractor to select the best suitable product for a home improvement project. Our question is, would you rather leave your project in the hands of a retailer or people who are dedicated to shutters on a daily basis?

In our experience, while the value and look of your home from the exterior is important, what we find more significant is peace of mind knowing that you truly love your shutters and feel comfortable with your selection.

Last but not least, the shutter material you select for your home can be dictated by several factors such as climate, pricing, renovation goal and functionality. For example, a window shutter for an area with seasonal hurricanes will need to differ from a shutter within an area that has a mild climate year round. If you are purchasing shutters for a home that you are about to sell may differ from shutters you want for a newly purchased dream home.

It all depends on your lifestyle, expectations and overall purpose when it comes to any renovation, but in the end you will want to make sure you make the best selection for your own satisfaction when it comes to the style, size, material and color for your exterior shutters.