| |
| |
|
Home Improvement Information |
|
|
|
How to Select Exterior Shutters
Installing exterior shutters is a relatively quick way to add style and color to the outside of a house. Historical and modern houses alike benefit from the timeless style of shutters. As with any home improvements, the quality and longevity of an addition should be evaluated before proceeding. Exterior shutters are available in many shapes and materials. Vinyl shutters are easily available at most home improvement stores, and they can be a cost-effective option. However, vinyl shutters often look like plastic, they are not useful as operable shutters, and they cannot be stained. Shutters are also made out of many types of wood. The best wood for exterior use is cedar because of its outstanding durability and resistance to decay. Cedar gives long service with little maintenance in applications such as mud sills, window sashes, sheathing under stucco or brick veneer construction, greenhouse benches, fencing, poles, trellises, and exterior shutters. Cedar is also used extensively for exterior siding because it is dimensionally stable and holds paint well, in addition to being a deterrent to bugs. The tannin (oil) in incense cedar is what makes it such a good wood for exterior shutters. It helps prevent moisture penetration and bugs hate it. However, shutters should not be left unprotected. Rather, it is best to finish the shutters before installation so all surfaces can be fully covered. While paint can be brushed, it is recommended that it be sprayed. Most house painters will spray shutters with their airless spray systems for latex paint. The best base is a primer coat of an oil-based primer tinted as close to the final color as possible. The oil penetrates into the wood, offering better protection. It can be applied in a much finer mist, thereby reaching between and around louvers and into seams, joints and corners. The top two coats should be a premium-grade exterior latex paint. A topcoat of exterior latex paint will not chalk or fade like an oil-based paint. If shutter caps will be used, paint them as well since the top edge of shutters is the most vulnerable to moisture penetration. Shutters should be mounted to the building with at least a ½" spacer between the back of the panels and the building to allow for adequate ventilation. If not using hardware, use rust-proof screws sunk flush to the wood. Paint the screw heads following installation. An opaque painted finish prevents light rays from penetrating the finish and breaking down the wood fibers. However, shutters may also be stained. When staining shutters, use finishing products designed specifically for outdoor or marine use - and be prepared to do more maintenance on shutters to keep them looking good. Installing shutters can be as simple as affixing the panels directly to the house. It is also possible to install operable shutters, which can be closed over windows for protection against storms, and a number of hardware options are available. Look for heavy, solid hardware with a finish resistant to decay, such as zinc-plated hardware with a wrought iron black finish. Shutter caps can be another useful piece of hardware to keep water off the top of your shutters, protecting against moisture damage. ShutterLand Exterior Shutters provides exterior cedar shutters sold as individual panels, and the shutters usually ship within six working days. Exterior shutter panels use fixed louvers available in two styles, with or without a divider rail. A wide selection of exterior hardware is also available.
MORE RESOURCES:
Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Reuse Works for the Workshop The workshop is a great place for reusing items formally destined for the landfill. Even if you do not have a shop or craft area you can always donate the items mentioned in the following paragraphs to friends, schools, shops, youth centers? The concept of reusing is as limitless as your imagination. Chester Conservatory Build Process 1. The site of the proposed conservatory. Home Furnishings and Shelving Its spring time and that means we start working on our homes. Cleaning, organizing, purchasing new things to spruce the place up are just some of the home furnishings we do. Transform Your Home with Decorative Country Lighting As we become more of a home-based society, many more of us are pouring money into our houses with DIY renovations.Do it yourself home improvement projects are both rewarding and usually will give you a good return on investment should you decide to sell or refinance your home. Ceiling Fans Look Great and Save You Money It doesn't matter if you live in a hot climate or the North woods; there are many days when the breeze isn't blowing and you would like the air to circulate for comfort. Running central air conditioning is expensive and isn't always called for. Are Your Ducts Making You Sick? If you have a heating or cooling systems that uses air ducts, you could have a problem.There are many duct systems that are poorly designed and installed that have the ability to bring pollutants into your home. A Checklist for Bathroom Remodeling Plans Careful planning is the key to a successful bathroom-remodeling project. Before you begin any work in the bathroom, create a budget, a floor plan, a list of supplies, a timetable, and important legal considerations. How to Buy a Home with Good Feng Shui Buying a home is usually a stressful experience. So much rides on a new home because this is where you relax, have fun, sleep, eat; in short, it's the place central to your life. Hydronic vs Forced Air Heating and Cooling Hydronic, or hot water, heating has been standard for years in many parts of the U.S. Metal Carports: Steel Carport Guide Buying a carport to protect your investment can be a very frustrating task. With hundreds of manufacturers claiming to have the best product, how do you know who to trust? First you must ask yourself, are they out to make a buck, or to protect my truck? The first line of defense is to know what makes a good carport and the second is to trust your first instinct and know that you are protecting your mobile investments. A Guide to Home Dehumidifiers It can be difficult to choose from among the countless home dehumidifiers out there. First, determine the square footage of the largest room you plan to dehumidify. Hiring a Waterproofing Contractor According to the National Association of Waterproofing and Structural Repair Contractors (NAWSRC), consumers can take several steps to ensure they find the right contractor for their job. A leaky roof, basement or unprotected foundation can cost thousands of dollars worth of damage and significantly decrease a home's value. Replacing Your Sliding Glass Door Rollers If the sliding glass doors in your home are more than 10 years old, you might notice that they are becoming harder to slide open. This problem is even more common on aluminum frame dual pane doors. Tips For Buying a Whirlpool Bath Online So you're building the bath of your dreams but find the prices you have been quoted for the Whirlpool Bath way out of your budget.Don't despair and settle for a Whirlpool Bath you don't want!Go online and save by buying direct from a Whirlpool tub distributor. New-age Paint Thickening & Rheological Additives : Solvitex & Solvizen For Paint Manufacturers worldwide, there has come a radical new development in the legion of Thickening Agents & Colloidal stabilizer for Aqueous Latex Paints. So far most of the companies producing aqueous Paint emulsions, the most preferred thickening agent was Hydroxy ethyl cellulose (HEC). Remodeling Your Kitchen Cabinets While remodeling your kitchen, install only the essential cabinets, so you can spend on quality rather than quantity. Look for durability, and specify plywood panels rather than particleboard. Planning Permission Tips UK - Permitted Development Allowances - Not the Golden Goose You Imagine There is a perception amongst most folk that every house is allowed a certain percentage of extension development without the need for formal Planning Permission. People seem to think that it applies to them even when they purchase an already extended property. Poster, Print or Painting. Where Are You Going To Put It? If you are redesigning or decorating a room, or house, care has to be taken where your piece of art is to be displayed. Even if you have bought a picture on impulse there are a few tips that will not only enhance the picture but its surroundings. Fixer-Uppers: What To Fix You've bought a house, a fixer-upper you can make some money on. What improvements and repairs should you make? First of all, you need to know this before you buy, as I explained in another article. Laminate Flooring Basics Laminate flooring resembles the look of hardwoods but offers easier installation and stronger durability. You can use laminate flooring in any room in the house, including hallways, foyers and family spaces, bathrooms, and kitchens.
|
| home | site map |
| © 2006 |
