Vinyl vs. Wood Shutters

As you compare interior shutters, before you make your final decisions, possibly you should check out both vinyl and wood shutters. They both have advantages and disadvantages.

Look at shutters and as in everything, quality matters. Whether vinyl or wood, when you invest in a product that is inferior you will definitely get what you pay for. Choose better craftsmanship with the product and when you pay a professional to install them you will be insured of the lasting quality.
With that said, let’s look at the vinyl shutters first. Vinyl shutters are easier to clean than wood.

Humidity will not damage the vinyl shutters so you will be able to install them in areas like the kitchen or bathroom. They will not crack, peel, fade or deteriorate. They are also available in fire retardant materials, and insulate better than wood. The quality vinyl shutters are manufactured in half the time as wood, and they cost less.

So we’ve almost convinced you on the vinyl shutters? The one thing that you may not like is the color. They come in various shades of white, period. If those colors suit your purpose, great.

However if you want added color, or even a natural wood grain shutter, you will have to settle on wood shutters. Wood does deteriorate, and often has to be repainted or refinished even in the interior of your home. Wood is not suitable for high humidity areas like the kitchen or bathroom where steam can cause damage.

All right, so why would you want wood shutters? It comes down to choice. If you prefer to have natural wood shutters in the colors of your choice, and if you want a warm, authentic traditional look; you could make no better choice than wood shutters.

If the vinyl shutters seem bland and you want a product that commands high quality and top of the line characteristics, wood shutters should be your choice. However if you want something that you only have to dust, never have to paint, and they will last as long if not longer than wood, then why would you want wood?

Neither vinyl nor wood shutters will offer the same thing to everyone. They are both fine products, so compare, shop around, prices will vary, and so will quality. Because the shutters will last a long time, select cautiously and make sure they fit your rooms and your pocket book.

Golden West Shutters Specializes in Orange County Shutters, Los Angeles Shutters and San Diego Shutters.

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Wood Shutters: An Untimely Demise?

There's a lot of talk amongst homeowners and even industry insiders with regards to wood shutters and those made of vinyl. These talks usually consist of the unavoidable demise of wood shutters and how vinyl will ultimately become the king of shutters as well as the first choice for homeowners looking for shutters.

While it is certainly true that high-end vinyl shutters have become very popular and have stolen some homeowners away from wood shutters, the truth is that neither is going anywhere especially those shutters made of wood. While vinyl shutters are often more affordable than their wooden brethren and require far less maintenance even the very best vinyl shutters still don't mimic the aesthetics of wood shutters to the degree that homeowners would like them to. Even if they do reach that point somewhere in the future there's still going to be the issue of texture among other things.

While it's also true that shutters made from wood don't stand up to the elements as well as those made of vinyl do, with proper care wood shutters can maintain their luster and pristine look for years and even decades. Of course homeowners looking to avoid routine maintenance will select vinyl every time but those who don't mind the maintenance requirements of wood shutters and have a little bit more money to play with usually settle on wood as their shutter material of choice.

To sum things up, homeowners will likely always have vinyl and wood shutters to choose from and which one they choose will be determined by things like budget, need, and personal taste and not whether or not a specific material is available for shutters. If you're unsure of which shutter will work for you, wood or vinyl, please be sure to contact us for help!

Golden West Shutters specializes in:

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Decorating With Interior Shutters

There is certainly more than one way to dress up a window and using interior shutters in a decorative manner is one of the more popular ways to do so. While many people still think of curtains and drapes as window decor and think of shutters primarily as something that controls light and heat, a lot of people have come around to the idea of utilizing interior shutters as decor.

These days shutter manufacturers make it easy to find shutters that are not only highly decorative but shutters that are made from a number of different materials as well. Additionally many of these manufacturers also take custom orders from homeowners allowing for some really imaginative shutter designs. Custom shutters are great for homeowners who have unique interior decor and those with fastidious tastes.

If you're looking for custom shutters for your home and are planning on using them for more than heat and light control be sure to contact us so that we can help you get started!

Golden West Shutters specializes in:

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Orange County Shutters: Wooden Shutters Will Upgrade Your Home

Whether your home is of new construction, an older more sedate home, a townhouse or a condo adding Orange County wooden shutters will bring personality and curb appeal to your home. Regardless what style of home when you add wooden shutters they will give your home the crown to make it stand out in the neighborhood.

Custom wooden shutters add the touch that will show that your decorating is complete with the contrasting wooden shutters that complement your home. Whether they do nothing but sit at the side of your windows, they can still be closed tightly against your window, or they can still be partially closed depending on your choice.

They do more than add beauty to your home they also add a shelter against the weather. They can be closed and locked from the inside to provide privacy and security as well. No matter the size or shape of your windows the custom wooden shutters will fit your windows securely.

In the winter when heavy rains, winds, and even snow hit against your home, the wooden shutters shut out the weather, and you’ll hardly even hear as the winds beat against your home.

In the summer you can shut out the hot sun and your home will feel cooler. Or you can partially open them, and you control how much sun gets in. Then when the cool air of the evening comes through you can open them or swing them open and attach them against the outside of your home.

The harder woods are perfect for your wooden shutters; wood like teak, poplar, mahogany, and cedar not only look beautiful, but they retain their natural resistance to the elements. Many prefer to see the grain of the wood and have them finished naturally rather than painted.

There are other options that are available with custom wooden shutters such as personalized carving inlays and hardware, shutter horns, and top and bottom panel extensions that will also provide further weather proofing.   

For something that will be so visual from the street, you will certainly want an item that will add beauty, efficiency, and will complement your home. The customized high quality wooden shutters will do all of those things. In addition it will increase the value and will last the entire life of your home.
For best results you may want to contact a professional so the wooden shutters will not only work exactly as promised, but will add the charm that your home has been missing.

Golden West Shutters Specializes in Orange County Shutters, Los Angeles Shutters and San Diego Shutters.

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Saving Money On The Installation Of Shutters

In times of great economic uncertainty, such as those we are experiencing now, consumers tend to tighten their belts and retain a firm grasp on their wallets, not out of desire mind you, but more out of fear. Economic times such as these can be frustrating for homeowners who are in need of home repairs or upgrades though in times like these there are some great deals to be found and even ways to trim budgets to make them workable for homeowners with little money.

Homeowners interested in installing shutters for example can do so even on modest budgets thanks to the wide variety of different materials shutters are made from now. Those homeowners operating on the smallest of budgets might need to select vinyl shutters for their home while those with a little bit more money to play with might find some good deals on some basewood shutters. If a homeowner wants a great look as well as longevity basewood is the type of wood they will want to select, should that be their primary choice for shutter, as it is very straight and hard with very little distortion. Basswood also has a superior texture which allows for staining in painting.

Building shutters piece by piece can be a painstaking process for those homeowners who are unable to afford professional installation but in the end doing it themselves will say them quite a bit of money. Homeowners operating on tight budgets should consult with window shutter professionals whenever possible during this process in order to ensure they're getting the best quality for the money that their spending. If you're such an individual please feel free to contact us and we'll be happy to help!

Golden West Shutters specializes in:

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Which Type Of Wood Do You Want?

So you settled on purchasing shutters made of wood have you? Wood is certainly the most attractive material used in shutters and as frequent visitors of our blog know, wood shutters require a lot of maintenance and care and those that don't receive it will need to be replaced after only a few short years.

Now that you settled on wood shutters however you'll need to determine which type of wood you want your shutters to be constructed of. There is of course cedar, pine, oak, and a plethora of other woods that can be selected. The wood you select will depend on not only personal taste but I'm budget well. While some consumers might get lucky and find deals on some of the more expensive woods, homeowners operating on smaller or modest budgets may need to look at more affordable woods like pine, and even particle board.

If you're currently searching for new shutters for your home or business and aren't sure which wood is right for you, you can always contact us for assistance, we will be more than happy to help!

Golden West Shutters specializes in:

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Selecting Exterior Shutters

After having talked quite extensively about how exterior shutters can be utilized in homes, we're now going to offer some tips on how to actually select exterior shutters. Anyone who's ever shopped for exterior shutters would tell you that the number of brands, pricing, and qualities to consider is exhausting. Therefore choosing exterior shutters that work for your home, budget, and personal tastes can be somewhat arduous.

As with any home improvement project homeowners need to consider not only the most cost-effective option but the quality and longevity of the shutters they're interested in as well. Homeowners must also keep in mind that exterior shutters are available in many different shapes and materials and while a cheaper material like vinyl might be the most cost-effective choice, cheaper vinyl shutters often look plastic. In sharp contrast however wood shutters will cost a little bit more and will be much easier on the eyes but they are prone to warping, cracking, and peeling after only a short amount of time.

Should a homeowner select wood or even metal shutters for the exterior of their homes they will need to peruse through a myriad of different woods and metals, all of which offer very different lifespans and quality. Maintenance of their new exterior shutters is something homeowners must consider as well when going over what material will work best for them.

A homeowner may know what type of general exterior shutters they won't see on their home but they may be forced to make compromises when they consider all of the aforementioned information. When in doubt it's best to speak with a professional and should you have any questions about the many different types of exterior shutters out there please be sure to contact us so that we can point you in the right direction!

Golden West Shutters specializes in:

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Exterior Shutters Improve Your Home's Value And Make It More Energy Efficient

While it's true that exterior shutters can add aesthetic beauty to the home they're also several other reasons to utilize them. Among these and perhaps the two most important reasons are increasing the value of a home and making a home more energy-efficient.

Much in the same way that windows do, exterior shutters can be kept closed during the winter months to help keep heat trapped inside a home and can be opened during the summer months to both allow fresh air into a home and help keep it cool during those mild summer evenings. Moreover exterior shutters can be closed to protect the home from extreme weather such as high winds, rain, hail, and at times flying debris.

When it comes to adding value to a home exterior shutters do their job and do it well. Unique exterior shutters can add quite a bit to the curb appeal of a home, even to those home that had very little to begin with, and make a home more valuable when the time comes to sell it. Perhaps best of all however when dealing with the aesthetics of exterior shutters and curb appeal, many of the companies that manufacture and sell these types of shutters allow the customer to choose from a myriad of architectural designs and styles or to have some custom made to fit their personal tastes.

Exterior shutters are available in a wide variety of different materials. Among the most popular and most common of course is wood but they are also available in aluminum and even vinyl for those consumers who want maximum return on their purchase.

Should you have any questions regarding exterior shutters or how to use them to boost the value of a home and protect from inclement weather be sure to contact us so that we can help!

Golden West Shutters specializes in:

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Rolling Shutters Securing Your Home

In the past we've talked a bit about different types shutters such as storm shutters and those made of metal and how they can protect the home from things like storms and in general bad weather. Today however we'd like to talk about aluminum and roller shutters not for protection against storms but rather for protection against unscrupulous individuals who seek access to your home or business while you're out.

We've all seen them before, those rolling shutters in front of stores that seem to appear after a business closes. These rolling shutters are usually made of aluminum or some other type of metal alloy however they are no longer used only in covering commercial entryways and windows but are now quite commonly used in residential areas as well. Even in the best of neighborhoods crime and theft happens frequently. Utilizing motorized aluminum and/or roller shutters to a home will be more than enough to discourage would-be burglars or other criminals from even considering entering your home.

Of course like all other types shutters, aluminum and roller shutters all come in a myriad of different qualities and are available in a wide variety of prices. Which one is right for you and your home will be up to you and the budget you have to work with.

Should you have any questions about utilizing shutters for security purposes please do not hesitate to contact us to that we may be of assistance!

Golden West Shutters specializes in:

Orange County Shutters - Los Angeles Shutters - San Diego Shutters - Orange Shutters - San Diego Plantation Shutters - Plantation Shutters Los Angeles - Plantation Shutters Orange County - San Diego Shades - Orange County Shades - Los Angeles Shades - San Diego Window Treatments - Window Treatments Los Angeles - Window Treatments Orange County