The Difference Between Interior and Exterior Shutters: Rundown for Southern California Homeowners

July 05, 2017

Southern California California indoor and outdoor shutters

Plantation shutters are able to go just about anywhere – in any Southern California home, in any room, on any type of window, and even outside. And that may be where some confusion can occur.

Interior and exterior shutters are very different products, and if you’re uneducated on the differences, you can spend a lot of time or money shopping around for a product you don’t need. So let’s break it down.

Exterior Shutters

First off, we have to make it clear that Sunburst Shutters Southern CA does not make or sell exterior shutters. Rather, our specialty is in fashionable interior shutters for your home.

Outdoor shutters really only do one of two things: either they’re only for looks as an accent to your home’s siding, or they’re reinforced “hurricane shutters,” made to guard your windows from debris during intense storms.

Decorative exterior shutters usually look great on very specific home styles, like Mediterranean houses. Hurricane shutters are somewhat rare outside of a few parts of the country, and many types don’t even resemble what you envision when you think of shutters, but rather look like large iron sheets.

For those outdoor shutters that do open and close on your window, there usually isn’t much functionality to them. They aren’t able to make a seal to block heat and their louvers (if they have them) usually can’t be adjusted. Aside from that, exterior shutters can add a much-needed color accent to your home.

Look Into Exterior Shutters If:

You get heavy storms in your area and need to protect your windows.
You want to add a splash of color to the outside of your house.
You have enough space around your windows to put in outdoor shutters.

Interior Shutters

Interior shutters are our forte, and they’re the optimum window covering in combining fashion and usability. Placed directly in or above your window frame, interior shutters instantly become a natural part of your home as soon as they’re installed. And unlike outdoor shutters, interior shutters can go on any window, anywhere in your home.

The style that high quality interior shutters can add to your home is unequaled, and they’re incredibly flexible. Interior shutters can serve as an amazing accent to any style of home; from historic Craftsman homes to chic houses, and have an assortment of colors, finishes, and frame options to fit your taste.

Plantation shutters in Southern California bedroom.

On the practical side, plantation shutters may be the most effective window covering. Polywood plantation shutters in Southern California block heat more effectively than any other window treatment available, keeping your house more comfortable. The adjustable louvers on a shutter panel also give you a wide range of lighting options, something that shades and drapes can’t do.

Think about interior shutters if:

You need the maximum control of your home’s lighting, indoor temperature, and energy-efficiency.
You need a flexible, long-lasting window treatment.
You need to add some more fashion your home, and complement your existing inside trim.

Sunburst is Your Interior Shutter Expert

Chances are, if you’re wanting the value, style, and longevity of shutters, you want interior plantation shutters. Sunburst can help with that. Give us a call at 888-611-2474 today and schedule a free in-home walkthrough of what shutters can do for your space.

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