| Installing exterior shutters is a relatively | | | | paint well, in addition to being a deterrent |
| quick way to add style and color to the | | | | to bugs.The tannin (oil) in incense cedar is |
| outside of a house. Historical and modern | | | | what makes it such a good wood for exterior |
| houses alike benefit from the timeless style | | | | shutters. It helps prevent moisture |
| of shutters. As with any home improvements, | | | | penetration and bugs hate it. However, |
| the quality and longevity of an addition | | | | shutters should not be left unprotected. |
| should be evaluated before | | | | Rather, it is best to finish the shutters |
| proceeding.Exterior shutters are available in | | | | before installation so all surfaces can be |
| many shapes and materials. Vinyl shutters | | | | fully covered. While paint can be brushed, it |
| are easily available at most home improvement | | | | is recommended that it be sprayed. Most house |
| stores, and they can be a cost-effective | | | | painters will spray shutters with their |
| option. However, vinyl shutters often look | | | | airless spray systems for latex paint.The |
| like plastic, they are not useful as operable | | | | best base is a primer coat of an oil-based |
| shutters, and they cannot be stained.Shutters | | | | primer tinted as close to the final color as |
| are also made out of many types of wood. The | | | | possible. The oil penetrates into the wood, |
| best wood for exterior use is cedar because | | | | offering better protection. It can be applied |
| of its outstanding durability and resistance | | | | in a much finer mist, thereby reaching |
| to decay. Cedar gives long service with | | | | between and around louvers and into seams, |
| little maintenance in applications such as | | | | joints and corners. The top two coats should |
| mud sills, window sashes, sheathing under | | | | be a premium-grade exterior latex paint. A |
| stucco or brick veneer construction, | | | | topcoat of exterior latex paint will not |
| greenhouse benches, fencing, poles, | | | | chalk or fade like an oil-based paint. If |
| trellises, and exterior shutters. Cedar is | | | | shutter caps will be used, paint them as well |
| also used extensively for exterior siding | | | | since the top edge of shutters is the most |
| because it is dimensionally stable and holds | | | | vulnerable to moisture penetration. |