Exterior shutters on Pittsburgh's hottest homes

Pittsburgh is a great place to buy real estate right now. Unlike much of the nation, its housing market is stable, and homes are appreciating at a modest pace. If you’re buying real estate in Pittsburgh, you should consider adding sets of exterior shutters to your home.

Exterior shutters provide protection from the elements and improve the efficiency of your home heating and cooling systems. They’re also beautiful. If you’re a new homeowner, you can easily and affordably incorporate exterior shutters into your new home purchasing plan.

Exterior shutters: Historical significance

Pittsburgh has many wonderful, historical neighborhoods, and those lovely old homes look great when accompanied by period reproduction exterior shutters. Four neighborhoods in particular strike our fancy: Bloomfield, Lawrenceville, Friendship, and the Mexican War Streets. Follow our guide to selecting exterior shutters for Pittsburgh’s hottest homes.

Panel exterior shutters in Bloomfield and Lawrenceville

Bloomfield and Lawrenceville are mixed-use neighborhoods in the East End of Pittsburgh. The prevailing architectural style in both neighborhoods is row-homes. Brick row-homes and row-homes finished with vinyl siding are most common. However, in one portion of Bloomfield – the part between Friendship Ave. and Penn Ave. – you'll see a few Victorians among the low-rise apartments and row-homes.

We like panel exterior shutters for your Bloomfield or Lawrenceville home. Board-and-batten, flat panel, or raised panel exterior shutters all look great on the densely packed residences in these bustling neighborhoods. Panel shutters can be painted to match your home decorating scheme, or can be artificially “weathered” for a rustic look. Outfit your panel exterior shutters with vintage hinges or knockers to give your home extra pizzazz.

Lovely exterior shutters on the Mexican War Streets

On the Mexican War Streets, a designated historic zone in Pittsburgh’s North Side, you’ll see just about every type of house imaginable. Gothic, Italianate, Revival, Empire, and Queen Anne houses are found next to mixed-use buildings and apartments in this Central North Side neighborhood.

We’ve found that just about any style of exterior shutters looks great on these homes. The wide variety of architecture in this neighborhood can take on many different types of exterior shutters. Let the architectural style of your prospective home be your guide.

Louvered exterior shutters in Friendship

Friendship is a tiny, tiny neighborhood in Pittsburgh’s East End. It’s just three city blocks long – and its eastern and western borders are still disputed among residents. However, one visual cue separates Friendship from its sister neighborhood, Bloomfield – Victorian homes. And if you own a Victorian home in Friendship – whether it’s in pristine condition, a fixer-upper, or a rental property – consider adding some sets of exterior shutters to spice things up.

Many styles of exterior shutters look great on homes in Friendship. But we’re especially fond of louvered exterior shutters with ornate, custom rails and stiles. Most homes in this neighborhood boast detailed, sophisticated trim, and the beautiful lines and chic finishes of louvered exterior shutters will look just dapper.

If you’re not sure what type of shutters to install, take a stroll around the block and take a gander at your neighbors’ shutters. Stick with the prevailing exterior shutter style on your block – or for your type of house – and you won’t go wrong. Happy house hunting!