Vinyl Shutter Installation

Choosing Where to Hang

• Before installing vinyl shutters, you need to determine the style of vinyl shutter and where you want to hang them. Vinyl shutters frame your windows, but you will need to decide if you want to shutter all your windows or just some. Many homeowners want to achieve a uniform look by installing vinyl shutters on all windows. Other homeowners frame an attic window or kitchen window only, making that particular window stand out from among the rest. The choice depends upon the look you want to achieve with your house. You will also need to decide if you want to hang shutters in both the front and back windows on the house. Hanging them on the front only gives your home nice curb appeal, but you don't get to enjoy your shutter installation when you are in the back yard. Hanging shutters on every window both front and back can provide a great uniform and finished look to the house, but since you will need more shutters, it is more expensive to install them on every window on the house.

Choosing a Model

• You will also need to choose the model type of vinyl shutters. Ease of installation depends on the size and type of the shutter. Vinyl shutters come in two forms: custom shutters and prebuilt shutters. Custom shutters take less time to install because they are made to order. However, custom shutters tend to be more expensive. Prebuilt vinyl shutters, which are a less expensive alternative, may take a bit more time to trim and install since they come in pre-cut sizes. Think about your skill and ability in making this choice and determine whether you would rather pay a bit more for an easier install or not.

Color and Style

• Once you have decided where you want to hang your shutters and how many shutters you need, you also need to choose the style of vinyl shutter you want to install. Vinyl shutters come in many different styles. Shutters can be plain or decorative. Basic square shutters with slats create a different look than larger shutters with more style and design. Choose the best shutters to match the style of your house. Larger windows generally should have large shutters so the shutters are proportional in size. Smaller windows can have either small shutters to match the proportions or larger shutters to make the window stand out more. Shutters can also be shaded in almost any color. Generally, you should choose a color that complements your home but that is not too close to the color of your house. If it is too close in color, your shutter will blend in, so a light contrast is advisable.