affordable options for replacing very old windows

If you live in a house with an exterior such as brick or vinyl siding that doesn't need painting or much upkeep, then you'll probably want shutters that don't take much care. Shutters improve the curb appeal of your home since their color contrasts the siding and gives your home visual appeal. If you're looking for ornamental shutters rather than shutters that are functional and protect your windows from storms, then vinyl is an excellent choice. Here's why you should consider choosing vinyl exterior shutters for your home.

Vinyl Doesn't Need Much Care 

It makes sense to choose vinyl if you live in a brick home you never have to paint. You probably don't want to scrape old paint off shutters either. Wood shutters are attractive, but they require a lot of maintenance. Vinyl, on the other hand, is practically maintenance free. You should hose them off occasionally to get spiders and dirt out of the louvers, but that is about all the care they need. Vinyl shutters add value to your home, but they don't add any extra work.

Vinyl Is A Durable Material

Vinyl tolerates temperature extremes and swings in humidity. Wood tends to warp, rot, and crack when exposed to the weather. You won't have to worry about bugs eating your vinyl shutters either. Termites and carpenter ants have no desire to destroy vinyl like they do wood. Your vinyl shutters should last for many years without degrading. If you're the type that likes to change your home décor frequently, then look for vinyl shutters that you can paint. Although you never have to paint vinyl, if you want a new color combination for your home's exterior you may want to change the color of the shutters, and you'll want a brand you can paint without voiding the warranty.

Vinyl Shutters Are More Affordable Than Wood

If your budget is tight for shutters, then vinyl would be a good choice because it costs less than wood. Wood shutters are more expensive initially, and they cost more to maintain over their lives. Vinyl shutters have very low maintenance costs, and since they cost less off the shelf, you can afford to upgrade your home with shutters even if you have a low budget.

When you start looking at your options in exterior shutters, you may be surprised at all that's available. Decide what you want from the shutters first. You may only want them for decorative purposes, but if you want the shutters to be functional, you'll have to decide if you want shutters that close manually or by remote. In addition to choosing the material the shutters are made from, you also need to choose the style and color. After all these considerations, you may find vinyl shutters are the perfect choice for your home.