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The Difference Between Exterior and Interior Shutters: Rundown for Houston Homeowners

July 05, 2017

Houston Texas interior and exterior shutters

Shutters work almost anywhere – in any Houston house, in any room, on any window, and even on the outside of your house. And that may be where some homeowners might get confused.

Interior and exterior shutters are extremely different things, and if you don’t know about the differences, you could waste time or money shopping around for a product you don’t need. Let’s look at what you need to know.

Exterior Shutters

First, we need to make it clear that Sunburst Shutters Houston does not build or deal in exterior shutters. Instead, our area of expertise is in elegant interior shutters for Houston homes.

Outdoor shutters really only serve one of two purposes: either they’re just for decoration as a complement to your windows, or they’re heavy-duty “hurricane shutters,” designed to guard your windows from damage during intense storms.

Decorative exterior shutters tend to look fantastic on very particular home styles, like Mediterranean houses. Hurricane shutters are somewhat rare except in a few areas of the country, and many types don’t even resemble normal shutters, but rather look like large steel sheets.

Outside shutters in Mediterranean home.

As for those exterior shutters that do open and close on your window, they don’t tend to have a lot of functionality. They are unable to make a seal to block heat and their louvers (if they exist) usually can’t be adjusted. Despite all that, exterior shutters can serve to give a layer of color to your home.

Think About Exterior Shutters If:

  • You want to protect your windows from heavy storm damage.

  • You want to add a color accent to your home.

  • You have adequate space around your windows to install exterior shutters.

Interior Shutters

Interior shutters are our forte, and they’re the optimum window covering in combining looks and practicality. Put in directly in or on top of your window jamb, interior shutters become a piece of your home the moment they’re put in. And unlike outdoor shutters, interior shutters are able to fit on any window, no matter the space limitations.

The fashion that high quality plantation shutters give your house is unrivaled, and shutters are extremely multifaceted. Indoor shutters can beautifully accent any style of home; from historic Prairie style homes to ultra-modern condos, and have a range of colors, stains, and frame options to suit your taste.

White shutters in Houston bedroom.
As for tangible benefits, plantation shutters might be the most effective window covering. Polywood faux wood shutters in Houston can help block heat more effectively than any other window treatment on the market, helping to keep your house at a comfortable temperature. The tilting louvers on a set of plantation shutters also let you have a full spectrum of lighting options, a big benefit over draperies and shades.

Look into interior shutters if:

  • You need the maximum control of your home’s lighting, inside temperature, and energy-efficiency.

  • You need a versatile, long-lasting window treatment.

  • You need to add some elegance your home, and color match your existing inside trim.

Sunburst is Your Interior Shutter Expert

It’s likely, if you want the value, looks, and longevity of shutters, you want interior plantation shutters. Sunburst can help with that. Give us a call at 713-853-9629 today and set up a free in-home walkthrough of what shutters can do for your space.