tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317270448265024880.post-66154023066883166982008-01-29T11:02:00.000-08:002008-01-29T11:05:06.134-08:00<img src="http://www.therightproducts.com/images/rp_08.jpg" alt="Shutters"><br /><br />When the time comes to replace those exterior shutters, where do you go and who do you talk to. Many customers often tell me they looked and looked and just didn't know where to find our product. The problem with exterior shutters is that they're usually not at your Home Depot's and your local home improvement stores, b/c it's too hard for those guys to stock. Shutters come in so many sizes b/c they have to match windows and this means they very often have to be custom built. (Nowadays windows have so many sizes the usual standards have gone on the window...no pun intended ;) This means you'll be needing to talk with a local shutter company that will usually come out, measure, and give you an estimate to do the job.<br /><br />A good shutter company will give you a free estimate and will provide a cost breakdown for all of the services. Make sure you ask the right questions. If you want to save money you can sometimes modify the widths of the shutters. Traditionally, shutters have been built to match the size of the window. The idea is that the shutter can open or close to cover the window. Nowadays, it's very common to have smaller shutters that serve more as accents to your home. Having smaller shutters is something to consider, but that may not be what you want. Make sure you find out how the shutters will be installed. There are two methods: (1) direct set and (2) on hinges. Direct set is often used in the vinyl shutter industry where the shutters are secured to the home's exterior at every corner and screwed to the wall. Many times, individuals like the look of functional shutters, but expect to pay more for these, b/c that is one of the limitations that can be done with vinyl. If you decide on wood, you can expect your shutters to last 5-7 years on average for raised panel and 7-10 years on average for board and batten. Also, lighter colors will help prolong the life of the shutter by protecting them more from the sun. Composite shutters can be more expensive, but can last virtually forever as well. Make sure you know how long you plan on living in the house before you proceed.<br /><br />To make sure the job is done quickly and done right never pay the full amount upfront to your shutter contractor. If they insist on upfront payment you can usually negotiate them down to paying a portion upfront and the rest when the jobs done. Lastly, get multiple quotes, but don't just go with the cheapest. Listen to what each contractor has to say. It's ok to ask for references or pictures of their work. Nowadays, many shutter companies have a website gallery that shows off their past works and this can give you some insight into the workmanship and quality you can expect. Once you decide on a company it's a good idea to set a deadline. Because they're probably going to be custom built, you can expect to wait 1-2 weeks on average. Setting an install date is a good way to keep your contractor motivated and on schedule.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6317270448265024880-6615402306688316698?l=www.atlantaexteriorshutters.com'/></div>The Right Productshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07416978979133283033noreply@blogger.com0