Adding Board And Batten Shutters To Your Home

Board and batten shutters can be a great, simple addition to almost any home, instantly improving the look of its outside while protecting your windows from the elements and adding a nice rustic touch to your property. They are simple to fit, and are often available at a low cost. If you think that they might be something to add to your home, here are some things to consider:

Firstly, make sure that it is a style of shutter that will suit your home. With so many different options available these days, you don't have to settle for the one size fits all approach. This form of shutter can look pleasantly old fashioned, and that is great if that is the look you are going for. If you live in an ultra modern home, though, you might be better off looking at other options, so be sure to consider potential shutters in the context of your whole property.

Also consider the specific design of shutter that you want. Although this kind of design is deliberately very simple, there are still many variations on it, ranging from differences in the fittings to variations in the number of planks or crosspieces. For the best effects, your choices should echo other design features of your home. Remember that if you are simply looking to replace a single shutter, then you should choose an option that is consistent with those already in place.

You need to think about materials, too. Yes, the word board implies the use of some sort of wood, but what sort? For a batten, mahogany could be used as easily as oak, or even some variety of faux wood. Different types will wear in different ways, will resist the weather to different degrees, and will have an effect on the overall price. In general, real wood options will be more expensive than fake ones, but will only make a noticeable difference if you are going for a very stripped back look to your shutters.

Having made those decisions, it is important to consider whether you want to do the work of installing the finished product yourself, or whether you would prefer it professionally done. In theory, this is one of the simplest options for installation when it comes to shutters, but you might still want a professional to do the job to ensure that yours fit well, and are likely to last longer. A well installed piece of woodwork also looks considerably better on your home than one that isn't quite straight, or that doesn't fit properly.

Board and batten shutters can make great additions to your home. They can improve the way it looks and help to keep out the worst of the weather. They can add a great rustic element to a cottage, or make a town house stand out from the crowd. The key is to take the time to make the right choices with them before you buy. Do that, and you should find that yours are something to be proud of for years to come.