The Difference Between Interior and Exterior Shutters: Guide for Phoenix Homeowners
Interior and exterior shutters are completely different products, and if you’re uneducated on the differences, you can waste time or money shopping around for a product you don’t need. So let’s break it down.
Exterior Shutters
First, we have to make it clear that Sunburst Shutters Phoenix does not build or sell exterior shutters. Instead, we specialize in elegant interior shutters for Phoenix homes.
Exterior shutters tend to serve one of two purposes: they’re either purely for looks as a complement to your windows, or they’re heavy-duty “hurricane shutters,” designed to guard your windows from heavy damage during severe weather.
Decorative exterior shutters typically look fantastic on very specific home styles, such as more rustic homes as well as Mediterranean houses. Hurricane shutters are somewhat rare barring a few parts of the U.S., and most hurricane shutters don’t even look like what you envision when you think of shutters, but rather look like large steel sheets.
For those outdoor shutters that do open and close on your window, they don’t tend to have a lot of functionality. They aren’t able to form a seal to block heat and their louvers (if they have them) usually can’t be adjusted. Despite all that, exterior shutters can serve to give a much-needed color accent to your home.
Consider Exterior Shutters If:
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You get heavy storms in your area and want to protect your windows.
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You want to add a some flair to your house’s exterior.
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You have enough space around your windows to put in outdoor shutters.
Interior Shutters
Interior shutters are our specialty, and they’re the ultimate window covering in combining fashion and functionality. Installed directly in or on top of your window frame, indoor shutters blend into your home’s furnishings from the minute they’re put in. And unlike outdoor shutters, interior shutters are able to mount on any window, no matter the space limitations.
The style that high quality plantation shutters can add to your house is unequaled, and shutters are extremely flexible. Plantation shutters can beautifully accent any style of home; from historic Cape Cod homes to contemporary apartments, and have an array of colors, finishes, and frame options to suit your taste.
Think about interior shutters if:
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You want to be able to control your lighting, indoor temperature, and energy-efficiency.
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You need a flexible, long-lasting window treatment.
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You want to add visual interest to the inside of your home, and match your existing inside trim.
