Shutters are made with a number of different materials, with wooden shutters being the benchmark for quality window coverings. Quality wood shutters are designed to last for the lifetime of your home. Deciding on the material for your shutters is the first step in your buying choice.

There are two basic styles of shutters available.

The old traditional style uses a narrow shutter panel with 1-1/4" louvers.

The newer style shutters offer louver sizes of 2 ½", 3 ½", 4 ½", and even 5 ½".

Wood shutters can be stained, painted, or both. Almost all companies offer a number of paints with stain colors. Stock paint colors will generally include a variety of whites.

The stain colors will help enhance wood grains in a number of tints and tones, starting from light

natural tones to an almost black pitch. Keep in mind, though, that both synthetic and wood composite shutters cannot be stained.

Because of the material and options, shutters will come in a wide range of prices, with many suppliers

calculating the price on the square foot. Prices are calculated based on the window size, shutter composition, style, finish, etc.

Shutter units can use a number of different panel configurations within a window. The number of

panels across the shutter is determined by the shutter style, traditional or plantation, and the width of the window. The traditional style panels are normally narrower than the plantation style and would use more panels across the window.

Each company offers specific guidelines for the number of panels to be used with a window.

They will also specify whether a divider rail is required, which is is a horizontal bar that creates a top and bottom louver section within a single style of panel.

Due to the comparatively high cost of shutters, this is best left to a professional. Mistakes are expensive. The professional will be able to explain the various features and options available for the brand you choose. For example: do you want a tilt bar or clear view option with no tilt bar?

There are, however, some companies offering "do-it-yourself" shutters. They normally do not offer as many options, and often are of lesser quality.

The company should you choose should offer phone assistance should you have any questions.

Ron Smith