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