There are several shutter designs and styles that you can match to complement the appearance of your facade. Among your options are the board and batten and raised panel shutters. So, which ones should you choose? We researched the issue, and here's what we found.
Board and batten shutters feature a more basic, traditional structure best suited for farmhouses and country-style homes. In contrast, raised panel shutters provide more depth, appear more modern, and blend well with most house designs.
So, pick the shutter type that would best complement the appearance of your home's exterior.
Read on to learn more about board and batten and raised panel shutters.
Board & Batten Vs. Raised Panel Shutters
Shutters help regulate the amount of sunshine that enters your home. In addition, they enhance privacy and add to your home's aesthetic appearance. So, you should carefully evaluate what shutters to install in your home.
Board And Batten
Board and batten shutters have a traditional, basic appearance that is purely functional. Homeowners often install them for a rustic or relaxed look for their homes.
Generally, these shutters function as a window covering that protects glass panels against extreme weather conditions.
They are made of about two to four narrow and closely attached boards connected by battens: these are strips of thin horizontal panels used to fasten the boards together.
You can open the shutters to let light in or close them to keep light from entering the home. However, you cannot adjust the boards to maintain the desired level of privacy and protection.
Check out Dogberry Board & Batten Shutters on Amazon.
Raised Panel Shutters
Raised panel shutters resemble a small door that highlights windows and extends their dimensional appearance. They provide depth and versatile designs and are easier to combine with most home exteriors.
In modern architecture, raised panel shutters are utilized mainly for aesthetic purposes and are not functional. However, you can still install operable raised panel shutters by simply attaching hinges and locks to keep them open or closed.
Metal fasteners work best with wooden structures since they are traditional yet have contrasting materials.
Check out Raised Panel Vinyl Shutters on Amazon.
Which Exterior Shutter Best Suits Your Home?
Board and batten best suits Mediterranean, Ranch, Cape Cod, Cottage, and French Country style houses, while raised panel shutters are ideal for Victorian, federal, colonial, Georgian, Cape Cod, French Country, and Greek Revival homes.
What Are The Other Types Of Shutters?
If you intend to install window shutters, your choices are not limited to raised panel shutters and board and batten shutters. There are several other designs that can complement your windows as well. These include the following:
Louvered Shutters
Louvered shutters have narrow horizontal slats, which are slightly angled to allow air and light inside a home. The shutters are available with either fixed or adjustable louvers.
In most households, louvered shutters are non-operable and are mainly used as decorative window sidings affixed on a home's exterior. However, you can still install functional louvered shutters.
These shutters suit Victorian, Italianate, Cape Cod, Georgian, and Greek revival houses.
Check out Mid-America Louver Vinyl Shutters on Amazon.
Arched Shutters
Arched shutters are specifically designed for dome-shaped window frames. The boards are cut and patterned to fit into the arch. There are two ways you can use the design – isolating the arch and including the arch.
The arch can be constructed in a way that enables it to separate the different panels. Here, the pointed portion is designed as a fixed attachment, while the rectangular boards can open or close.
Alternatively, the panels can take the entire structure's shape or form without separating the arch.
Storm Shutters
Storm shutters protect windows and doors from hailstorms, hurricanes, tropical storms, and extreme weather conditions. They are made with metal and impact-resistant plastic to ensure tensile strength and durability.
Hurricane covers are available in various designs, including corrugated, accordion, Bermuda, clamshell, and roll-down shutters.
What Are Shutters Made Of?
Shutters transitioned from marble in Ancient Greek to more suitable materials such as cloth or wood for ease of use and convenience. In modern architecture, wood, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), composite wood, and metal can be used as the base structure.
Wood
Wood is the most common material used to make board and batten shutters. Most homeowners prefer the natural and classic touch of lumber when paired with the exterior design of their homes.
Both board and batten shutters look best if they are made of wood because they are often used to achieve a traditional look.
If you prefer lumber as the medium, use pressure-treated wood and apply the right finish to protect the material from the elements. Also, note that the wood requires maintenance, especially because it is used as an exterior cover.
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
PVC is made of synthetic plastic that is incredibly durable and lightweight. Shutters made of PVC are used in a variety of applications since they are not easily affected by weather conditions and moisture.
PVC is an ideal material for exterior shutters. However, prolonged and extreme exposure to ultraviolet rays (UV) causes discoloration and warping.
Raised panel shutters are usually made of PVC. You can also request a custom-made PVC board and batten shutter if you prefer the material over wood. But note that the panels may be inferior to those made from wood.
Composite Wood
Wood composite materials are made from a combination of wood fibers, plastics, and inorganic fillers. Although it aims to imitate the look of natural lumber, the product still has an inferior quality.
Composite lumber offers better durability and requires less upkeep than natural wood. If these qualities are key when choosing exterior siding, composite wood is a better option for exterior window sidings.
Metal
With proper maintenance, metal shutters are considerably more durable and long-lasting. It is possible to request a custom-made metal board and batten and raised panel shutters for optimum protection against extreme weather conditions.
Types Of Interior Shutters
The application of window shutters is not limited to exterior use; some are designed for interior installation. The interior shutters are convenient to operate since you can make adjustments from inside the home. However, they do not contribute to the facade's appearance.
Here are some types of interior shutters:
Plantation Shutters
Plantation shutters were introduced into the United States by Spanish colonialists and originated in the southeast. They have angled slats or louvers to minimize light, dampen the elements and regulate temperature.
Cafe Shutters
Cafe-style shutters are also installed inside the home and only cover the bottom part of the window. This design provides privacy while allowing light to enter via the top half of the structure.
French cafes popularized them to provide patrons with privacy while dining. Cafe shutters go best with dining rooms in most modern homes.
Functional And Decorative Window Shutters
You can install window shutters to perform certain functions or improve your home's appearance.
Apart from regulating temperature, operable window shutters allow you to block out light and dampen outside noise. They provide added privacy, security, and protection, especially during nighttime.
In areas with extreme weather, they double as storm shutters which can protect your windows from strong winds, hail, sleet, and snowstorms.
If your window shutters are purely for aesthetics, pick a design that complements the style of your home. Also, adding metal hardware to decorative window shutters gives them character and a more authentic look.
Make sure the shutter panels are equal to the size of your windows. Otherwise, they will appear fake and uninspired.
What Is The Best Material For Board And Batten?
Consider the general environment where you will install board and batten shutters to determine the suitable material. Wood is ideal for homes in milder climates, metal for harsh weather conditions, and PVC for rainy and moist environments.
In Closing
Board and batten feature a more traditional and rustic look, while raised panel shutters have a modern facade. Choose one that suits your preference and your home's overall design and style. We hope the article helped you decide which type goes well with your property.
You might also find these topics informative: