If you have been considering installing shutters to the front windows of your house, you are one of the many homeowners who have realized that custom shutters are one of the least expensive ways to improve the street appeal and value of a home. If you are hesitating because your windows are not standard sizes, you do not need to worry any more, as wood shutters can be made to custom sizes.
Furthermore, you do not have to pay someone to measure and install your shutters; you can do it yourself! Whether you want your custom shutters to be functional or purely for decoration, shutters are supposed to look as if they would cover the entire window.
Measure the window opening, width and height. If it is a single window, divide the width measurement by 2, i.e. a 36 1/2" window opening would be two 18 1/4" shutters. If it is a double window, divide the opening by 4. Or a triple window, divide by 6. Write down the number of shutters and sizes on a worksheet to make ordering easier. A great guide and worksheet may be found at http://www.sunbeltshutters.com.
Next decide on the style you want. Shutters come in a variety of styles: louvered, raised panel, Bahama, or board and batten. You can have a choice of painted or stained or ready to finish in Southern Yellow Pine, Western Red Cedar, or California Redwood. There is also a new composite wood product called Extira.
With so many options, you can custom design your shutters to be perfect for your house, and you do not have to settle for the run-of-the-mill shutters made of vinyl or aluminum that are at your local home improvement store.
You'll be amazed at how quickly you can achieve a custom look to your home.