Window Shutters On A Budget - Answering Service Resources

Home
>
Home Improvement
>
Window Shutters On A Budget

Window Shutters On A Budget

While there is great value in installing custom-made interior wood window shutters, sometimes they are still too expensive for certain applications. Some alternatives ? including poly or vinyl shutters ? are less expensive but also much less attractive. For a high-quality solution at a lower cost, look for a company that sells individual solid wood shutter panels that can be installed in any configuration.

When shopping for individual shutter panels, there are a few considerations to keep in mind. The most important factor is the material used to make the interior shutter panels. Basswood has the best characteristics for window shutters because it is a very straight hard wood with little distortion. Basswood also has a fine, uniform texture and indistinct grain, which make it superior for staining or painting. You should also look for a company that can make a large number of panel sizes so you can receive the best final fit for your window.

How To Determine Individual Panel Sizes to Order

It is best to determine how you will mount your shutters before ordering the shutter panels. Sometimes it is necessary to use hanging strips to attach shutters to the outside of the window opening. A reputable company will provide information about different installation methods so you can determine how best to install on a specific window.

Width:
Measure the width of the area you want the shutters to cover (NOT including any trim strips).

1. Divide this width by the number of panels you want across the window. This will give you the approximate width of each panel. Round this measurement up to the nearest 1/4 inch.

Example:
Width = 36-7/16"
Divide by 4 and round up to nearest 1/4"
Order (4) shutter panels 9-1/4" wide

Height:
Up to 1" may be trimmed off the top and the bottom of each individual panel (a total of 2" per panel).

1. For a two tier unit (panels across the top and bottom), combine individual panel heights as required.

Finishing
A high-quality wood shutter panel can be painted or stained to a beautiful finish. Even if the shutters arrive and seem fairly smooth, a light sanding is advised before beginning the finishing process. After sanding and brushing off any dust, primer and paint can be applied. Often a more smooth finish is achieved by spraying the primer and paint, although the use of a high-quality brush can also result in a nice finish. When staining, follow the instructions given by the stain manufacturer. The stain manufacturer may recommend applying a wood conditioner before staining in order to ensure even stain color penetration.

Once your shutters are finished and installed, you will have a high-quality product that will increase the value of your home at a fraction of the cost of custom-made shutters.

ShutterLand Interior Shutters provides solid wood interior window shutters sold as individual shutter panels. Interior window shutters come unfinished, ready to paint or stain. Plantation and traditional style shutters are manufactured direct in hundreds of sizes, sold at a discount, and shipped quickly nationwide.

In The News:

Canada.com
Space Shuttle Crew Home Improvement Project
KTNV Las Vegas, NV - Nov 30, 2008
The space shuttle endeavour and its seven astronauts are making their way back to earth. The shuttle undocked from the international space station Friday ...
Video: Raw Video: Shuttle Endeavour Lands in Calif. AssociatedPress
Space shuttle Endeavor returns home College News
Space Shuttle Endeavour forced to make westcoast landing WCBD
ChattahBox - Pittsburgh Post Gazetteall 4,731 news articles

Despite drop in oil, Americans seal up for winter
Reuters - 22 hours ago
Across the northern United States, contractors, home improvement retailers and nonprofit groups report that such weatherization efforts continue apace, ...

Home improvement contracts regulated
Daily American Online, PA - Nov 29, 2008
The bill will regulate written home improvement contracts and require contractors doing more than $5000 of work annually to be registered in the state. ...

Secondhand home improvement stores stock big savings
Trading Markets (press release), CA - Nov 30, 2008
The store is Stardust Building Supplies, a nonprofit organization that sells donated home improvement items at up to 80 percent off retail prices. ...

CNET News
The iPhone 2.2 software update, a hands-on report
CNET News, CA - 9 hours ago
... from last to first in a circular fashion), and a bigger improvement, I think. It makes the first Home screen distinctly more convenient than the others, ...

Senior Citizens Beware of Lame Home Improvement Companies
Floral Park Dispatch, NY - Nov 28, 2008
Over the past year, at least three local senior citizens have been taken advantage of by an out-of-town home improvement contractor for tens of thousands of ...

Lady Rams will continue to work toward improvement
Mt. Vernon Register-News, IL - 7 hours ago
This will also be the team’s sixth straight game away from home, with the team’s first home game scheduled for Thursday. “It’sa huge challenge, ...

Home improvement sometimes best left to pros
Sun-Sentinel.com, FL - Nov 28, 2008
Their column has been in syndication for 20 years, and they have written 20 home improvement books. Each week the Hamiltons will compare the cost of a ...

Beaver County Times
New law will require contractors to be licensed by state
Beaver County Times, PA - Nov 29, 2008
Contractor John Matthews of Matthews Home Improvement, Baden, called the new legislation “a double-edged sword.” He said he liked the idea of insurance ...

December Is The Best Time For Home Improvements
WebWire (press release), GA - Nov 28, 2008
December is the most cost effective month to look for quotes for home improvements, Local Quoter has revealed. You may think of waiting for the January ...

home improvement - Google News

Answering Service ResourceAnswering Service Resource