DIY
Shutters or no shutters?
We're in the process of adding vertical board and batten siding to our house. Should we keep our old shutters or remove them? Or choose different shutters? AI renderings because we haven't finished. Thanks for any suggestions!
Discussion
Shutters! It looks naked without the shutters, like all its eyelashes are missing
Like when a cartoon character takes their glasses off and it's just tiny black dots
My first thought was it looks like it forgot its mascara without the shutters
The house looks a little plain without anything. The windows need something, not necessarily shutters. A moderate-width frame in a contrasting color might do it. Or awnings.
Yup you nailed the reason, trim would probably look better than shutters imo
yeah the shutters fill the empty space but i have a thing against non functional shutters.
Non-functional shutters are just a bugs (wasps mostly) wet dream. I don't ever recommend shutters and if you just have some pieces of plastic nailed to the side of your house, either take them down or have them sprayed and cleaned often.
Mobile home vibes
The 6th picture when I google image search "mobile homes".
Are those...OP's exact shutters?
You say that like a mobile home is a bad thing. Absolutely nothing wrong with them.
I grew up in mobile home parks my man. It wasn't a dig, it was the first thing that came to my mind
...Except that almost all of them look really cheap, a fact which we all universally understand, and which OP probably doesn't want for their home?
And also, all the other incredibly common problems mobile homes have, which are kind of besides the point.
Like, I'm not trying to shame anyone for their financial status. We're all just humans doing our best, from corrugated steel leantos to palatial estates. But we all acknowledge that mobile homes look cheap (in the context of constructed housing in the west), and that that's usually because they are cheap, right? And that "looking cheap" is generally undesirable for a lot of people?
And you are pretty much "investing" in something that won't add value, and most of the time paying rent for the plot.
Agree a wood trim that matches the columns would be great. Maybe some window boxes if you want to start bringing in some black “eyeliner”
Trim or even some interesting landscaping or containers with a small trellis situation would be nice to the eye both outside and looking through the windows.
Just please no baby shutters
I prefer no shutters because they're a dated visual to me. But you can still paint the window trim and door trim the same colour as your deck posts to add visual interest and contrast.
You can also get a different coloured door... Robin egg blue doesn't really fit because there's not much complimenting it.
Brush your roof off.
Here's an over the top AI render lol. It missed one of the window trims, but I like the brown trim around the windows and door to match your porch posts, and burnt orange door to get rid of the blue.
Plot twist, install real shutters.
Real wood slat shutters would look so good on your house—really match the charming character of your house. More expensive than vinyl shutters, but a decent investment for the four windows.
Either real shutters or no (fake) shutters.
This is the way. Don't be the person that put shutters on that don't work, or are not the correct size to work even if they are fake.
Agreed. Decorative but non-functional shutters are just lipstick on a pig. If you're going to have them, they better work.
Personally I would add real shutters to the home. Bad weather continues to occur more and more and may be helpful. I have plans to make storm windows out of hurricane polycarb sheets using the same plans from the solar screens I am making them for right now.
Shutters for sure. Without it, the house looks a little like shacky. Love the house
Shutters and clean your roof >:(
I would personally say shutters, extra points if they are color matched to a darker color on the house, super extra points if they are real and functional.
No shutters but maybe paint the window trim black
Bigger shutters. The appropriate proportion is 1/2 the window width. Mount them so they look like they could close (or maybe even make them operable and throw on some shutter dogs. Less contrast would help too.
No shutters but consider painting window frame complimentary color to door
Maybe black window frames and doorframes then match the door color to the siding - the color frames will complement / repeat the wood overhang shapes
I’m always on team No Shutters.
1) If you’re going to have them, they should at least look like they can cover the windows. I will always accept actual functional shutters.
2) Your siding will fade at a different rate and most shutters will also get stains behind them.
3) It’s a nice clean look without them as long as you paint the trim a contrasting or complementary color.
👏👏👏
Shutters. :)
No shutters
No shutters!
No shutters. I think framing with window trim looks so much better
No shutters but add black trim/molding around the windows.
Just change the color of the trim. The windows will pop out with a different trim color.
Real shutters. Ones that actually close, actually lock, and actually block the light. Had some once and I keep wishing I still did.
Shutters are a lie.
Ideally use real shutters not those fake one size fits some shutters
No shutters looks more modern.
Real shutters are neat, but I hate fake ones so much.
Shutters, but different color.
Shutters of a more interesting color? (Or stained wood?)
Although it doesn't look bad either way, TBH.
Shutters are dated and functionally useless in most cases. No shutters!
Shutters the same wood and stain as the porch.
Shutters, but I would like to see what it looks like with shutters that are truly half the window width on each side, so they would be wider. Most decorative shutters are non functional, but have shrank to not be accurately sized because of it.
They do look pretty close to the right size, so it likely isn’t worth changing them
Roof maintenance.
Definitely need to clean and inspect the roof.
I'm on team never shutters. Paint the trim the shutter color and it'll look good and you won't hate yourself later for having a very dated look since the shutters don't even do anything.
Either paint the trim for contrast or use shutters that would actually fit the windows. The ones in the first pic look too narrow.
The shutters look nice and would definitely work there, but I think there's a level of understatement to the house without the shutters that makes for a nice look too.
Personally I'd spend the shutter money on a bit of landscaping/tidying up that walkway.
Are they actually shutters that work or just decoration?
I would keep or add real shutters, if they are fake I wouldn't bother.
1st shutters that don’t look like they will cover a window sucks. I believe a wide painted trim would work hear.
Are functional shutters a thing? It seems like it would be useful to have functional shutters.
Fake shutters are dumb and always look that way. The pic without shutters looks anemic because there’s now contrast. Paint your trim that same black and you’ll look perfect
No shutters black window trim!!!!!!!!!
It's funny to think that shutters used to be functional.
Shutters
The shutters look good. No shutters is "okay" but the shutters dress it up and give it visual snap.
Shutters
What kind of psycho would go no shutters
I saw the shutter one, and then the one without shutters, and my dumb brain went "oh no, it's going through a chemo treatment".
Definitely with shutters! I love the pop of color on your door too.
Shutters for sure
Blue shutters
Either way looks nice. I'd be more worried about the roof.
Shutters
Are they functional? I always thought they made so much sense for hot sunny days, as you stop the hot sun before it gets into the window, and if angled right, they still allow a lot of light into the place. I say keep them either way, but if you can make them functional, that'd be best for the look and for your bills.
clean the trash off of your roof
Shutters! Without them the house looks naked
No shutters, unless the shutters are actually functional
Can you actually call them shutters if they don’t shut tho?
If they’re purely decorative, I’d ditch them. But hey, you’ll be living there. It’s not our opinions that matter.
Functional shutter is the best. I get a chuckle out of these stucco-faux shutters out in California suburbs.
Shutters
No shutters. Add trim and paint.
100% shutters. You should not have had to ask this question
Roof.
Window boxes
I’m team no ornamental shutters. They just look very artificial!
Shutters
Don’t listen to the “no shutters” team, they wear their shoes without socks on like psychos. Shutters all the way Jose!
Need to beef up the porch columns. They’re too slim. Shutters with shutter dogs too!
Shutters for sure, maybe paint door black too. Darn trees littering your roof.. go up with a broom n just knock it all off the side. That stuff holds moisture up there and that’s no good.
Love this house
Make the farm house style ones!
Shutters in pic look tacky imo.
Maybe a lighter colour or something else to add contrast would be better.
Shitters
Shutters. Wrong windows for sans shutter look to work.
Or window boxes with geraniums?
I'd focus on clearing that debris off the roof.
Shutters or some kind of contrasting trim around the windows at least. Pic 2 looks like someone without eyebrows lol
awnings might have a more functional use
Shutter yes, maybe not black 😅
Shutters. Not black
Shutters make it look like a friendly old woman who loves baking treats for her neighbors lives there.
No shutters make it look like the crabby old man that sits on his porch all day in shorts and a tank top and yells at the neighborhood children lives there.
Both vibes are valid but I'll let you decide which vibes you want to project.
Paint it black with white shutters.
You could consider awnings as well, if you are looking to dress up your windows. They're stylish and help to keep your home cool by blocking out the sun.
Link to the Technology Connections video if you would like to be convinced.
Will they be functional shutters?
I vote shutters but they better be functional
I would like to see a rendition with the wall under the porch painted the same color as the window trim. Leave the two ends same color (count over 5 panels from each end). Install a window awning over each of the 2 end windows with wood trim that pulls in the timber on the deck. Window Awnings: The Ultimate Guide to Why You'll Love Getting Yours in 2023 and Beyond - Lyrebird Enterprises
+1 shutters. Looks much better with.
Shutters.
i feel like shutters should only be there when functional. I like the plain look, maybe add real shutters with a lighter color
With, without the windows look narrow.
Shutters
Shutters matching the door color.
No shutters but paint the trim black.
with.
Shutters
Without shutters it looks like an old barracks or bunkhouse.
No shutters, paint the trim in a contrasting color
Shutters and a bright red door.
I find vestigial shutters to be annoying. A shell of what they once were. Instead of a useless appendage, I would either get real functional shutters or consider adding contrast to the facade by painting the trim around windows. I agree the facade looks blasé without some enhancement. Could also consider expanding the trim around the windows, adding a ledge with planters, I mean there really are a lot of options and since the house isn’t so large, you can really go fancy without having to consider 30 individual window treatments.
This image is AI
It is! I mentioned it in my post. The current look of the front is just the housing paper 😂
shutters but not black
Definitely keep the shutters
No shutters
That's like fake reliccing on a guitar... Shutters that aren't even wide enough to do the job.
Truly is a world apart, that country!
If no shutters, then definitely window boxes.
Just paint them the color of door
Remove them for now but save & see the new look then decide .
Shutters but make them the same color as your porch posts
Shutters for sure
Shutters. It isn't even close. It gives good contrast and texture? Also, clean the roof.
Never shutters. I despise fake shutters. I like it without them.
Shutters and more shrubbery.
Always shutters but real ones. Shutters are actually really great.
Paint the columns white and keep the shutters. The columns compete with the shutters and makes the front look busy.
Personally I would go with the very clean look of no shutters, then go hog wild with landscaping, because I love a nice clean background where the drama and beauty of nature can show off.
The shutters break up the line of the house, and if you do add more landscaping, it will start looking busy. Some people like that! I prefer a little breathing room.
Definitely shutters in my opinion
Shutters but ones that are sized appropriately, ideally ones that are even operable.
Shutters provide a nice contrast.
Shutters, easily. I wouldn't pick black, though.
Shutters 100%
Shutters in the same color as the door!
No shutters. I think the issue is that everything is white. With monochromatic painting, it does appear as if something is "missing", and people are assuming it's the shutters, since they were there before. It's not. It's contrast. Paint the trim around the windows and doors (dark green, maroon, brown — just not black or white) and the house will look complete.
Shutters 100%
Shutters. It matches the style of the home. No shutters doesn’t look right. And probably a nice coat of paint. Maybe light blue?
Shutters
Shutters
No shutters. They read as a lazy design non-decision and take away from your beautiful board and batten exterior.
Either painting the trim or adding slightly bigger trim would look less "naked" while highlighting the inherent beauty of your home. For extra oomph maybe add some sills and/or planters like this: https://imgur.com/a/5TXcIYy
no shutters is my vote
I detest nonfunctional shutters, so if you want to have more flair to your front facade, maybe get some dark color framing the windows that compliments another aspect of the front door/porch.
Now add stencilled window boxes.
Shutters
No shutters
I kinda like it without shutters! But either way it’s cute with or without!
Shutters
Definitely shutters
Shutters
Shutters protect your windows during storms and keep your interior cooler during heatwaves.
Shutters, definitely. It's kinda giving "Backwoods hillbilly hovel" without them. But, yes, a different color, as someone else said, so they match the house
Clean your roof
Shutters
Moved to Boston area years ago. Grew up reading about New England houses which had shutters you could close to protect the windows. Come Hurricane Gloria, I go to close the shutters. They don't close. They aren't designed to close. All they do is provide a home for wasps and need to be repainted every couple of years. I took them off and tossed them. Fuck shutters, especially those which are not shutters.
Shutters, but not those shutters.
Natural wood shutters - match the posts.
If the shutters are not going to be operable (and actually sized to cover the windows that they are next to) I'd rather there not be shutters at all.
YES for shutters.
Shutters
Poor house looks naked without the shutters
Always no fake shutters! Real shutters? Sure. Fake shutters, no thanks.
Shutters
Shutters for sure. They would give much more definition to the house.
I like the shutters, but I think a natural wood like the beams would be striking, instead of black.
No shutters, but maybe painting a pretty color around the window frames m.
Yeah, they looks nice!
Keep 'em. The color contrast adds a lot to the look. It's just a big, white wall otherwise.
Shutters for sure. May I ask what color/brand of paint it is on your front door? I love that color and want to paint my front door.
Shutters, definitely.
Yes shutters
Shutters and clean off your roof.
Have you considered functional shutters?
We went no shutters when we did our reno last year and I kind wish we hadn't. It looks fine but I always try to imagine what it would look like with shutters. We may still add them later.
Shutters 1000%
I often don’t like shutters but in this case, definitely keep!
Shutters for sure!
Shutters 100%
Shutters looks more homey.
Shutters
If shutters, make them functional, otherwise use the idea of thicker trim/awnings.
This guy has seared it in my brain to never look at fake shutters the same again!
I've never understood fake shutters. Watching all these homes with shutters around me getting broken windows from hail storms...if only there was a way to limit such an event 😂
Such a good point too. But mostly now I just notice how they don't even pretend to be the size of the window.
My girlfriend is from the balkans. her family cannot wrap their head around all the fake shutters in the US. All of theirs back home are functional.
No shutters, just contrast window trim.
And new roof.
We actually did replace the roof last summer haha but those are pine needles.
I recommend brushing them off regularly. It doesn’t take long for moss to start forming under them, since they hold in moisture. (Speaking from experience.)
We normally do! I appreciate the advice and totally understand.
My neighbor comes over with his ladder and yard blower and blows off my roof. If you are ok with heights, the blower is your friend.
Roof looks fine just needs to be cleaned off.
ok Mr. Moneybags.