Window treatments are great if you want to make your home more attractive. Among the many different types, exterior window shutters and awnings are the best choices for shade and shelter from sun and rain. They also add some style and elegance to your home. You can install them on the inside for easy access or on the outside to better protect your house. External window treatments tend to be more beneficial than interior ones when you want to combine comfort and design. Plus, there are additional benefits to having external window shutters, beyond style and protection.
Why External Window Shutters Are Beneficial
An important feature of exterior window shutters is that they are a unique aesthetic addition to any home. They add value to your property and strike a balance between visual appeal and functionality. You spend a lot of time and energy choosing the right window draperies for your interior windows, but installing exterior shutters on your exterior windows can work similar wonders.
Here are the major benefits of external window shutters.
1. Enhanced Energy Efficiency
Windows are responsible for about 25% – 30% of any residence’s heat loss. Naturally, more energy is consumed through your home’s heating and cooling system. However, you can give yours a break by installing external window shutters to reduce your overall energy consumption.
How does that happen? Shutters are opened or closed, fully or partially, to let in cool air. This decreases your need for air conditioning and thus its cost during the summer, not to mention adding an extra layer of insulation to your windows.
By keeping the shutters tightly shut in winter, you similarly prevent warm air from leaving the room. As you can see, exterior shutters are a great part of an eco-friendly lifestyle.
2. Added Protection
Certain types of external shutters, such as locking plantation or metal shutters, help protect your property during inclement weather. They also protect your windows from any flying debris and are a great deterrent to thieves, burglars and trespassers. External shutters often come with a lock or latch that stops them from flying open, especially during a storm.
3. Customizable Curb Appeal
Traditional windows made of glass or wood do not have much to offer regarding the look of your home. However, you can easily change that by installing decorative window shutters to increase your windows’ aesthetic appeal.
Exterior window shutters come in a wide variety of choices, from plantation shutters to Bahama and arched ones. Each offer the benefits mentioned here while giving you the freedom to choose a design that reflects your individual style. With a plethora of colours and materials to choose from, such as metal, vinyl and wood, customizing with the right exterior shutter is not difficult.
And the best part about these window treatments? They can fit in with any architecture and colour pattern. All you need to do is know what you want. For example, board and batten shutters are suitable for creating a traditional look, while fixed louvres give you a Mediterranean feel.
4. Increased Property Value
When you invest in high-end exterior shutters, not only do you increase the aesthetic value of your windows but also the resale value of your entire property. Enhancing your home’s curb appeal attracts potential buyers who are likely to be impressed at first sight. The eye-catching façade these shutters produce, along with the enhanced energy efficiency and security of your home, is guaranteed to be appreciated. Whether you want to put your home up for sale or simply get it appraised for a mortgage, this is a great way to achieve that.
5. Better Light Control and Privacy
The louvres in your window shutters allow you to control the amount of light that enters your room. Conventional windows are incapable of completely blocking light, while window shutters have an adjustable design. You can easily control how much you want them to remain open or closed by controlling the angle of the slats.
This same feature also ensures better privacy. Whether the panels of your window treatment are solid or opaque, they give you full privacy due to their ability to completely block light. This makes external window shutters the perfect treatment for your bathroom and bedroom, where privacy is a primary concern.
There are many factors, such as design, functionality, quality and technology, to consider when choosing external window treatments. It is also important that you know why you are installing them and on which parts of your home. Once you understand their benefits, you can install them where they will produce the best outcome for your home.
