While designing a home, the smallest detail can significantly impact its overall appearance. One such detail that has become an architectural staple is ‘exterior shutters.’
While the aesthetic appeal of architectural or exterior window shutters has gained recent popularity, Americans have been investing in shutters for centuries. But what makes these shutters popular & unique? They are crafted from durable materials like aluminum or polymer composite, which consists of aluminum reinforced PVC shutters. These shutters are rigorously tested to withstand harsh weather conditions, ensuring they last a lifetime.
When you opt for custom exterior shutters, you can add patterns or designs to the vital material that will enhance and present a solid outlook of your porch.
However, achieving the perfect fit is crucial to having appropriate shutters for your exteriors. These shutters enhance aesthetics, provide light management, regulate airflow, and offer privacy control.
6 Trends of Exterior Shutters
Let’s explore the top trends in decorative exterior shutters for modern homes, backed by expert insight.
- Minimalistic Designs
Modern architecture emphasizes clean lines and simplicity. If you are going for minimalist shutters, they will present sleek yet uncluttered designs that complement the overall look of contemporary homes. These shutters often feature neutral colors and can be customized to blend seamlessly with your home’s façade.
- Replicate Traditional Designs
If you plan to redesign your porch, you can start by replacing old & furbished shutters with modern shutters. However, if you wish to retain the traditional design, you can replicate and make it more durable in harsh weather with new-age materials.
- Fiberglass Alternatives
Fiberglass is renowned for its exceptional durability. It resists damage from harsh weather conditions, including rain, snow, heat, and UV rays. They usually don’t require regular painting or staining, saving you time and money over a long period. Lastly, fiberglass exhibits a minimalistic outlook, which enhances your exteriors and makes your porch look elegant.
- Bold Color Choices
Modern homeowners are embracing bold and vibrant hues. Why? Because colours like deep blues, rich greens, or striking reds creates a visually stunning contrast against a neutral façade.
- Sleek Profiles
Architectural shutters are now designed with slim profiles, contributing to a minimalist look. The best way to incorporate a sleek profile is by opting for thin frames and hidden hardware. It will help you achieve a clean and sophisticated appearance for your modern home.
- Monochromatic Colors
Homeowners are opting for decorative shutters that blend seamlessly with their theme and exterior. So, to make your shutters appealing, you can either go for monochromatic color choices, such as gray, black, or white, which are in vogue or add contrast to create a harmonious visual appeal.
- Louver Shutters
Louver shutters feature horizontal slats (louvers) spaced apart to allow for ventilation and sunlight. They are a classic and versatile choice, suitable for various exterior shutter styles, from traditional to contemporary. The best thing about louver shutters is you can adjust and fix them according to your requirements, which provides more control over light and airflow.
- Traditional Louver Spacing
When selecting louver shutters, consider the spacing between the slats. However, remember that traditional shutters often feature narrower slats, which exhibit an authentic and classic appearance. Modern interpretations have wider slats, which provide a contemporary outlook to your exteriors.
- Material Choices
Louver shutters offer various material options to cater to diverse needs. These options include vinyl, known for its affordability and low maintenance, and composite materials like fiberglass, prized for their durability and resistance to harsh weather conditions. These material choices empower homeowners and builders to select shutters that enhance aesthetics and provide long-lasting functionality, making them suitable for various architectural styles and climates. Other shuter material includes:
- Aluminum Reinforced PVC Shutters
Aluminum Reinforced PVC Shutters are another durable option to go for. These are designed to withstand harsh external weather with the capacity to bear approximate temperatures of up to 200 degrees Fahrenheit, meeting ASTM E84 standards for Class A fire rating. The best aspect is that you find an array of color options to enhance the outlook of your porch.
- Combinations Shutters
Combination shutters allow homeowners to mix and match different shutter styles to achieve a customized look. For example, you might combine louvered top shutters with raised panel bottom shutters. This approach provides flexibility in design and can suit various architectural aesthetics.
- Traditional and Transitional Designs
For homes with more transitional designs, you must select a combination of shutters to help you create a timeless and customized home appearance.
- Unleash Creativity
Embrace experimentation as you explore various shutter combinations. Feel free to mix and match until you find the perfect blend that brings your desired aesthetic to life. For example, Mixing board and batten shutters with Bahama shutters can enhance cottage-style homes’ cozy and rustic charm.
- Customization and Personalization
One-size-fits-all is no longer the norm. Modern architectural shutters are increasingly being customized to suit individual tastes and preferences. Homeowners can choose from various styles, sizes, and materials to create shutters that reflect their style and the unique character of their homes.
- Bespoke Designs
Modern homeowners are seeking shutters that reflect their unique style. Manufacturers are responding by offering custom design options. This allows homeowners to choose the shutter size, shape, and decorative elements, creating a truly one-of-a-kind outlook.
- Color Palette Choices
Personalization extends to color choices; you can select your favorite color from a broad palette to perfectly match your home’s exterior. Some even opt for bold, vibrant hues to make a striking statement.
- Board and Batten Shutters
Board and batten shutters have a rustic and charming look. They are constructed with vertical boards (battens) connected by horizontal boards (rails). This design creates a simple yet country-style appearance, often seen on farmhouses and cottage-style homes.
- Timeless Rustic Aesthetic
Board and batten shutters effortlessly introduce a timeless rustic charm to your home’s exterior. Their simple yet sturdy construction has been a favorite for centuries.
- Natural or Earthy Tones
Embrace the natural beauty of shutters by highlighting rich tones for an organic and inviting appeal. Alternatively, choose earthy tones or colors that harmonize with your home’s color palette to create a warm and welcoming ambiance on your porch.
Quick Tips for Styling Exterior Shutters
Enhance your home’s curb appeal by following these quick tips for styling architectural exterior shutters to complement your home’s overall look:
- Match Architectural Style: Choose shutter designs that match your home’s architectural style, whether colonial, cottage, or modern.
- Coordinate Colors: Opt for shutter colors that contrast or complement your home’s primary color, testing swatches in different lighting.
- Maintain Proportions: Ensure the shutters are the right size for your windows, evenly spaced, and don’t obstruct the view when closed.
- Functional vs. Decorative: Decide whether you want functional or purely decorative shutters based on your needs and preferences.
- Regular Maintenance: Keep your shutters clean and well-maintained to preserve appearance and functionality.
The Bottom Line
Architectural exterior shutters have evolved from being merely functional to becoming an integral part of modern home design. These trends highlight the importance of aesthetics, sustainability, technology, and personalization in today’s architectural landscape. So, whether you wish to enhance the visual appeal or improve your home’s energy efficiency, these trends offer exciting possibilities for homeowners and designers alike.
Our aluminum reinforced PVC shutters, which come in an unlimited array of colors, and the material and finish, which is applied using a proprietary method, are both warrantied for life.
The next time you explore a trusted source for exterior shutters, consider visiting the official website of Royal Corinthian.
