More than 100 million birds are killed annually in collisions with windows. If that figure makes you shudder, consider shutters. Having windows with exterior shutters has proven effective at reducing bird strikes. Like the birds that visit and make our yards their homes, shutters also provide several practical advantages.   ..read more

PVC, fiberboard and other composite materials have reigned as the top foundations for exterior shutters in recent years, due largely to their cost-effectiveness. But wood shutters are making a comeback as more trade professionals and homeowners rediscover the benefits of functional window shutters made from high-quality timber. Following are five characteristics that distinguish premium wood shutters from their plastic and wood-pulp counterparts ..read more

The history of window shutters spans thousands of years, and for most of their existence shutters have been prized for their practical benefits over their aesthetic values. The earliest known shutters were louver-style shutters created to help ventilate smoke from indoor cooking fires. As shutters evolved globally, they were adapted for other uses including storm protection, light control and privacy. But over the past century, exterior shutters have become a predominantly decorative consideration among trade professionals. Some new luxury homes forego shutters, even when the design is closel ..read more

Louver shutters and plantation shutters share so many similarities that the terms are sometimes used interchangeably. Both louver shutters and plantation shutters are characterized by rows of horizontal slats — or louvers — that can be raised and lowered to control ventilation, light and privacy. But these long-popular shutter stylesare distinguished by some key differences in where and how they’re deployed ..read more

Eco-friendly housing draws from several elements, including sustainable materials and features that facilitate optimal energy efficiency for a reduced carbon footprint. The right exterior shutters can be vital assets to eco-friendly home design and construction. Viewed for much of the past century as decorative window accents, exterior shutters are today being rediscovered by a growing number of residential architects and home builders for their practical benefits as well as their curb appeal ..read more

The iconic American farmhouse is enjoying a renaissance fueled by new high-end housing developments and custom luxury homes, and exterior shutters are vital to the farmhouse’s distinctive style. A recent article in The New York Times declared farmhouses “the millennial answer to the baby boomer McMansion” and linked the farmhouse’s renewed popularity to its clean look and open floor plans. Mansion Global magazine recently highlighted the “barndominium” revival, in which homeowners seek farmhouses to reimagine those open interior spaces as everything from art studios to bars to chef’s kitchens ..read more

In the wake of tornadoes that stretched throughout the Midwest, South and Southeast earlier this year, the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) reminded homeowners and trade professionals that poor-quality garage doors are significant structural weak points during severe weather events. With hurricane season also underway, the IBHS recently issued updated hurricane preparedness guidelinesfor homeowners and business owners. These recommendations highlight sturdy garage doors as well as more front-of-mind features like hurricane shutters ..read more

Exterior shutters and their uses are not bound by borders. While shutters are believed to have originated in ancient Greece, they have been refined globally based on evolving regional needs and aesthetic desires. The earliest known shutters were used in entryways and featured functional slats designed to keep out pests and inclement weather while providing light control and airflow regulation. Later window shutters were adapted variously for ventilation (louver shutters), privacy (panel shutters), storm protection (hurricane shutters), decorative accents (mission shutters) or mixed uses (comb ..read more

Properly fitting exterior shutters enhance a home’s curb appeal, and they can also augment a home’s privacy and energy efficiency if the shutters are operable. Although shutters are well suited for a variety of window types and home styles, not every window category calls for shutters. Following is a look at some common residential window designs that pair perfectly with exterior shutters, as well as a few styles for which a different window treatment may be preferable ..read more

The right garage door can be the hero of a home’s design, and its super power is curb appeal. In homes with attached garages, garage doors are often prominent features that are among the first things homeowners, visitors and prospective buyers notice about a house. An ideal garage door should enhance a home’s architecture and value, while also providing residents with secure, reliable access. An investment in a quality garage door is one that commonly pays off. Garage doors typically rank at or near the top of home improvements that deliver the highest returns on investment; according to Remo ..read more