Adding window shutters to your Durham, NC home is always a good idea, as they instantly add style, convenience, safety, and even energy efficiency. There are lots of different kinds of window shutters, with each type offering different benefits and styles. With so many options, how do you go about choosing the best window shutters for your home? Its simple: focus on style, location and window size.

First of all, you need to pay attention to the style of your home when choosing your window shutters. It’s easy to find exterior shutters to match the style of any home, but you do need to find shutters that match. For example, Ranch and Cape Cod style homes look best with raised panel and louvered shutters, while French Country homes go great with board and batten shutters. Consult with your shutter supplier if you need help determining what style your home is, or what kind of shutters will look best with that style.

Your home’s location should also a big part in choosing the best window shutters. This is especially true if you live in an area that’s prone to severe weather like hurricanes and storms, like North Carolina. For example, Florida residents should look for shutters that have approval from the Florida Building Commission (FBC) to be sure that they will stand up to high velocity hurricane winds. There are similar approval systems in place for North Carolina shutters, as they also have to stand up to severe weather.

Your home’s location also determines the installation requirements for your window shutters.  For example, coastal homes are required to follow approved hurricane installation guidelines, including the type of fasteners and spacing of fasteners as determined by the location’s pound per square food (PSF) calculations. Be sure to consult with your local laws to make sure your window shutters meet any and all installation requirements.

Finally, you need to pay attention to the size of the window opening when shopping for window shutters. Some window shutter materials are not suited for large openings, while others can cover great distances. For example, if you’re looking to add shutters to your sliding glass doors, you won’t want to install plantation shutters. Sliding doors are usually best covered by a roll down shutter because of their size. Or, if you want to cover attic windows that have odd shapes, you might need to invest in custom shutters to match the shape perfectly for a better fit.

It’s really not as hard as you might think to find the right window shutters for your home. The best place to start is by focusing on location, style, and size. If you need a little more assistance choosing the best shutters for your home, Kiwi Designs, Fine Blinds & Shutters, can help. We offer premium Durham, NC window shutter services from 1785 NW Maynard Rd Cary, NC 27513. Give us a call today at (919) 380-0898 to learn more about what we can do for you and your home.