Windows without some type of shutter are nearly unheard of. If your home doesn't already have shutters, now is the time to look into this solid home improvement project. They don't require an arm and a leg as payment, but they still bring measurable value to your home. Older shutter installations may also need repairs or an upgrade. If you're just starting to look at the possibilities for window shutters, here are some things to consider for the homeowners of central Texas.
Exterior Window Shutters in Austin
Traditionally for protection against storms, exterior window shutters in Austin and tamer parts of the country have hung around as beautiful home accents that are indispensable for curb appeal alone. Even a home with new siding and beautiful landscaping may feel incomplete without window shutters for exterior window dressing. Most exterior shutters are attached to the home and aren't designed to move. While this makes them purely decorative, it also makes them easier to install and cheaper to purchase.
Of course, you probably don't need protection from the weather in Austin. Window shutters can offer a different kind of home protection, though. Security shutters will protect your home against the all-too-common entry point for would-be intruders. While the days of people carrying rifles and holstered guns up South Congress are a thing of the past, many homes in Austin, just like any major city, see a fair amount of crime. No security is full-proof, and security shutters are no different, but they can help dissuade burglars from attempting to enter your home.
Interior Window Shutters in Austin
With 300 days of sunshine a year in Austin, interior window shutters can be a blessing for homeowners who like a controlled amount of light in their homes. Constant sunlight, for example, can cause rapid fading of carpet fibers. Especially if you're not a morning person and have east-facing bedroom windows, the value of an interior window shutter is obvious. Plus, don't forget that window shutters make for great window coverings in general. Curtains, blinds, drapes, and shades always seem to garner the initial attention of homeowners, but window shutters offer the same benefits as blinds with substantially more reliable hardware and swinging durability. Of course, if you're a fan of the traditional slatted versatility of blinds, you can also find a wide range of blind/shutter hybrids. Wood seems to be the favorite for shutter material for cost, beauty, and insulation, but vinyl and metal are available as well.
Austin Window Shutter Contractors
You may be surprised to learn that window shutter contractor is a dubious term. Carpenters tend to build and install standard exterior window shutters. Personalized home security contractors tend to take on security shutters, and window covering contractors tend to take care of your interior shutter needs. Regardless of your project or need for various contractors, ServiceMagic has you covered. We prescreen and provide ratings and reviews for all these contractors and more. You can put in requests for multiple shutter projects to get a more precise feel for the cost and value of different types of shutter installations, if you remain unsure about which one is right for you. Before you make the final decision, however, be sure to sit down with the contractor and discuss expectations, guarantees, timelines, etc.
Cost of Austin Window Shutter Installations
Before you talk to any contractors, ServiceMagic can offer you some basic averages for the cost of your project. These numbers can vary widely, particularly when choosing your shutter material. For cost and beauty, wood tends to be the material of choice for all except security shutters. Exterior wood shutters will require a fair amount of maintenance, so keep that in mind when choosing them. Interior shutters can also vary depending on whether you're installing shutters for a single room or your entire home.
Exterior Window Shutters: $2,100
Security Window Shutters: $2,900
Interior Window Shutters: $1,200

Marcus Pickett is a professional freelance writer for the home remodeling industry. He has published more than 600 articles on both regional and national topics within the home improvement industry.