How to Choose the Right Size for Exterior Vinyl Shutters

by | Apr 19, 2013 | Construction and Maintenance

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The look of the exterior of your home can have an impact on many things, including the value of your home and your satisfaction with the way your home looks. One of the ways people add to the look of their home is by installing exterior vinyl shutters. These shutters can complement your home well, but you need to make sure you choose shutters that are the proper size. This makes it essential to learn how to determine the right size.

Look at Your Neighbors

You are likely trying to make your home stand apart, but it can still be helpful to determine what your neighbors have done in terms of their shutters. Make sure you are looking at homes that are made with the same materials as yours, as well as the same style of windows. Check to see if the shutters on neighboring homes lines up with the windows themselves, the trim around the windows or some other point. This will ensure a uniform look through the neighborhood that won’t make your home stand out in a bad way.

Measure the Width of the Window

Another important thing to do is measure the width of your window. There is no single acceptable width for shutters, but the rule of thumb is the total width of the two exterior vinyl shutters should not exceed the width of your window. To find the maximum width of your shutters, measure your window across the middle to find out how wide it is. Divide that number by two and that will give you the maximum width of each shutter.

Your Home’s Style

The style of your home can have an impact on the size of shutters you use. For instance, if you live in a two story home that is somewhat narrow, at least from the front, you may wish to use narrower shutters. A one-story home may look better with wider shutters. Again, take a look around your neighborhood to get a good feel for what looks good and what doesn’t.

Making sure you purchase the right exterior vinyl shutters is essential to ensure you don’t create a look that hurts your home. One of the first things you should do is look at what your neighbors have done with their shutters to find out the proper placement and what looks best on your home’s style. You will also need to measure the total width of the window to ensure you don’t exceed the acceptable maximum.