Exterior shutters or interior shutters? Let our guide help you decide

If you're in the market for new sets of shutters, you're probably overwhelmed by choices, including sizes, styles, and types of materials. But one of the first questions you should ask yourself is “Do you want exterior shutters or interior shutters?”

Consider exterior shutters if:

-You live in an area with extreme weather

Several types of exterior shutters offer excellent window protection and terrific home insulation. If you live in a tropical storm belt, such as on the coast of Florida or Texas, consider installing Bermuda exterior shutters. These top-hinged shutters can be closed tight against your windows in advance of a hurricane or tropical storm, thus protecting your home from water damage and glass blowout.

If you live in an area famous for its cold winters, such as Chicago or Minneapolis, consider installing operable panel exterior shutters made from all-natural hardwood. Genuine hardwood has a high R-value, meaning it is more resistant to heat flow than other building materials. Installing hardwood exterior shutters – and keeping them closed in the winter – can insulate your home from heat loss. You'll enjoy savings in your energy bills, too.

-Your home needs a lift

Exterior shutters can add spice to a drab or tired home or condominium. Before you buy, learn more about your house. Is it a Frank Lloyd Wright original? An English Tudor? A Victorian Gothic? You should also check out what your neighbors are up to. The prevailing exterior shutter styles in your neighborhood can give you clues for placing your order.

Of course, don't forget to select exterior shutters that YOU love and that suit your personality. Just don't get too wild. If your shutters stand out too much from the others on your block, they can lower the resale value of your home.

-You live in a high-crime area

If your neighborhood is famous for break-ins (or is the regional capital of the "rock-through-the-window" game), you should probably move. But if that's not an option, consider installing operable exterior shutters and a solid wooden door – and keep them closed and bolted when you're not home. Heavy home fixtures act as crime deterrents, because they increase the number of steps the miscreant has to take to destroy your property or snag your possessions.

If you're using exterior shutters as theft or vandalism deterrents, make sure they're made of solid hardwood. Shutters made of synthetic materials are easier to manipulate or remove.

Consider interior shutters if:

-Your interiors are just "blah"

Interior shutters can change the style and feel of your home. Install dramatic, floor-to-ceiling shutters in your living room, and add a touch of elegance. Or, install operable louvered shutters in a master bathroom or a study to control the lighting – and the mood. Your home is your sanctuary, and interior shutters can make it your palace.

-You want to make a room darker

It can be tough to sleep when the street lights – or the early morning sun – stream into your bedroom. Install handsome plantation shutters with wide, operable louvers and control how much light gets in. Do you require a pitch-black bedroom in order to sleep peacefully? With interior shutters, restful sleep is yours.

-You need more privacy

City dwellers know all too well that noisy neighbors or Peeping Toms can spoil the tranquility of an otherwise beautiful evening. Are you tired of hearing stereo vibrations from the home of your teenage neighbors? Or, is your living room exposed to the street for all to see? Interior shutters can be fitted to shut flush against your windows, protecting you from all that riff-raff.