| Exterior House and Shutter Colors | | | | Vinyl exterior shutters require the least |
| | | | amount of monetary investment, short-term |
| Most homeowners one day face the inevitable | | | | work, and long-term maintenance. To install, |
| task of repainting their home. The project is | | | | simply drill a few pilot holes into the |
| plagued by substantial cost, time, planning, | | | | shutter panel and screw the shutters directly |
| and labor. One silver lining to such an | | | | to the building. Non-functional vinyl |
| obligation is the ability to modify house | | | | exterior shutters are sold pre-finished, and |
| colors. This decision, however, may seem just | | | | the color is molded throughout so fading will |
| as burdensome as the actual labor. | | | | be minimal. The shutters will not need to be |
| Complementary primary, secondary, and accent | | | | painted, and will only require an occasional |
| colors usually need to be selected. | | | | washing to keep them looking their best. |
| | | | Paintable vinyl shutters are available if a |
| Fortunately, professional color schemes have | | | | custom color is necessary, and multiple |
| been developed by major paint manufacturers | | | | colors can be used to create a more unique |
| offering exterior grade paints. Millions of | | | | and original shutter. Online shutter |
| dollars have been invested into creating | | | | companies generally mail color samples on |
| simple modern color palates. Most stores | | | | request. |
| offer presentation booklets and paint chips | | | | |
| which allow homeowners to make an educated | | | | Wood exterior shutters are slightly more |
| decision. Online tools, such as Benjamin | | | | expensive but more authentic in appearance. |
| Moore's "Personal Color Viewer", allow the | | | | Start with a premium grade wood shutter, like |
| viewer to select wall, trim, garage, door, | | | | incense cedar, which will then need to be |
| and shutter color for various home styles. | | | | finished before they are installed. Consult |
| Colors, however, can look different (usually | | | | with the paint manufacturer to determine the |
| darker) when applied to large outdoor areas | | | | best combination of primer and paint for the |
| than on a small paint chip or viewed online. | | | | optimum finish. Stationary wood shutters can |
| Therefore, it is recommended that a quart of | | | | be attached directly to the building with |
| the selected colors be applied to a section | | | | exterior grade screws or bolts. Functional |
| of the home before purchasing paint for the | | | | shutters require exterior hinges, shutter |
| entire house. In the evaluation phase, | | | | dogs, and bolts for proper operation. |
| consider roof color, landscape and vegetation | | | | Hardware can also be used on non-functional |
| around the home, and adjacent neighboring | | | | exterior shutters to give them a more |
| properties which may influence the final | | | | distinct genuine appearance. Exterior |
| appearance. | | | | shutters will generally need to be repainted |
| | | | as often as the house. |
| After a color scheme has been chosen, decide | | | | |
| what color to apply to what area of the | | | | As with any home improvement project, make |
| house. Window trim is often a different color | | | | selections for both personal appeal and |
| than the main surface. Exterior shutters and | | | | resale. In most situations, exterior shutters |
| doors are often a third color. In situations | | | | should not stand out, but should accent the |
| where exterior shutters are just being added | | | | entire project. If the entire process seems |
| to the house, they are commonly the same | | | | too daunting, professional consultants are |
| color as the front door. | | | | available for hire. |
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