These days it’s all about living green. But you don’t have to spend a huge amount of money on solar panels or refitting your home to impact your energy costs in a big way. The right window shutters can have a huge impact on your energy costs, save you money, as well as saving energy.
Find the Right Shutters for You
There are many types of window shutters to choose from. Whichever you choose, you should consider size, stability, ease of installation, and of course, cost. These are the most common shutter types, and the best choices for insulating your home. The most common type of shutters for insulating your home are plantation shutters. These come in a variety of sizes, materials, and styles.
Plantation Shutters
Plantation shutters are a classic look that never goes out of style. They’re practical and beautiful and should last decades, depending on your weather conditions. They are a bit pricey. But installed correctly, they add long-term value to your home.
Wood
There are many types of wood used in wood shutters. They may be poplar, pine, cedar, or even Adler. You can generally get them custom built to fit your size and style. They’re stylish, but can be less durable than other options.
Composite Wood
Composite wood shutters are less expensive than real wood shutters, while still providing the classic look you want. They’re also scratch-resistant, humidity resistant, and easily washable, which means they last longer than natural wood. It’s possible to get composite wood shutters in a variety of sizes, but they tend to be heavier than vinyl. Larger sizes will sag in the middle.
Vinyl
Vinyl shutters are generally less customizable than wooden or composite. But they’re perfect for growing families. They’re easy to clean and handle difficult environments easily. They’re not as aesthetically pleasing, thanks to caps needed to cover the components. Vinyl shutters are hollowed, which adds to their durability, but it’s less attractive than a wooden shutter in a stylish stain.
The type of shutters you choose impact your installation, and the cost. A good professional job will cost around $200-$500, depending on shutter type, size, and customization. To save yourself some money, you might try to install the shutters yourself. But be sure you have some experience with DIY. Custom-fitted shutters aren’t cheap to replace!
Improve the Value of Your Home
Plantation shutters increase the value of your home. Window shutters are recognized as energy reduction methods. That means they increase the resale value of your home after installation. Depending on where you live, they may also allow you to access green energy tax breaks in your area, thanks to the lowered energy costs.